VehicleVerdict

1997 Mercedes-Benz Sl500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz Sl500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

13

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Sl500 years?

Sl500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted108 complaints1992: 2 complaints1993: 7 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 39 complaints1996: 9 complaints1997: 13 complaints1998: 8 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 3 complaints2003: 108 complaints2004: 63 complaints2005: 22 complaints2006: 15 complaints2009: 4 complaints
Sl500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sl500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Mercedes-Benz Sl500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags538%
Seat Belts215%
Electrical System18%
Engine18%
Brakes18%
Steering18%
Body & Structure18%
Transmission18%

Does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz Sl500 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E014000Tires & WheelsFebruary 6, 2006 · 31,422 units

Defect

CERTAIN ZF TRADING NORTH AMERICA AFTERMARKET WHEEL BEARING KITS, LEMFOERDER P/N 1402301, SOLD FOR INSTALLATION ON 1992-2001 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 (R129) VEHICLES AFTER APRIL 1, 2005. THE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS USED IN THE WHEEL BEARING KIT MAY BE DEFECTIVE, SHEAR OFF AND BREAK. IF BOTH CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS BREAK, THE BRAKE CALIPER MAY BECOME UNFIXED AND, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKED, THE BRAKE ROTOR COULD DRAG THE CALIPER, CAUSING THE BRAKE HOSE TO RUPTURE AND THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION TO BE DAMAGED.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF A PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

ZF TRADING WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND REPAIR THE WHEEL BEARING KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 27, 2006.

99V327000AirbagsNovember 22, 1999 · 4,402 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION FILAMENT OF THE AIR BAG GAS GENERATOR MODULE CAN OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN AREAS OF FREQUENTLY HIGH HUMIDITY.

Consequence

CORROSION OF THE IGNITION FILAMENT CAN RESULT IN THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG BEING DEPLOYED UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED UP TO 70 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS AND A SHATTERED SPINE. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 28, 2011 · crash

“VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 209K MILES. SUNDAY 1/19/20 DRIVING WB ON MONTAUK HIGHWAY (NYS 27A?) AT QUOGUE NY. SPEED APPROX. 35-40 MPH. SLIGHT TURN/BEND IN ROAD TO THE RIGHT. SUNNY, DRY PAVEMENT. NO OTHER CARS FOLLOWING OR AHEAD, EITHER DIRECTION. VERY LOUD BANG HEARD INSIDE CABIN, BOTH SEATBELTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 19, 2020

“WIRING INSULATION FOR LIGHTS AND POWER STEERING DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF CAUSING MASSIVE SHORTS IN MULTIPLE SYSTEMS, DRAINING THE BATTERY AND RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I MANEUVERED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ONTO AN OFF RAMP THAT PROVIDED A SAFE EXIT FROM THE 6 LANE BELTWAY AND HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 12, 2013

“I HAD A WIRING HARNESS FIRE IN MY VEHICLE A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ SL 500, IT IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE WIRE HARNESS BUT MERCEDES BENZ IS DECLINING ANY INVOLVEMENT, I KNOW OF 129 OTHER FAILURES IN LIKE VEHICLES, IT'S COSTING ME $10,000 TO FIX AND I WILL NOT HAVE MY CAR BACK UNTIL JULY 2007. THIS NEEDS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 27, 2007 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING AT 40-50 MPH AND TRYING TO SLOW DOWN CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 2, 2002

1997 Mercedes-Benz Sl500 — common questions

Is the 1997 Mercedes-Benz Sl500 reliable?

The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 Sl500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (5 complaints), seat belts (2 complaints), steering (1 complaints).

Does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz Sl500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Mercedes-Benz Sl500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz Sl500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sl500 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 1995. The cleanest record among Sl500 years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.