Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 500SL | 5 | 1 |
| 1991 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990 | 3 | 1 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Tires4
- Electrical system3
- Visibility1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Seats1
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
In the Netherlands
507 500SL cars are on Dutch roads; 87% arrived later as imports. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 20 | — |
| 1992 | 114 | — |
| 1991 | 91 | — |
| 1990 | 67 | — |
| 1989 | 73 | — |
| 1986 | 45 | — |
| 1985 | 46 | — |
| 1984 | 31 | — |
| 1983 | 20 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
61 500SL cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 100% petrol, 0% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 8 | 172,000 km |
| 1992 | 18 | 161,000 km |
| 1991 | 23 | 136,000 km |
| 1990 | 12 | 149,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
New registrations in Europe
3 new Mercedes-Benz 500SL cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2010, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2010 the largest markets were Spain (3).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Recalls
1 campaigns cover the 500SL.
DURING THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE AIR FILTER HOUSING WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO MISROUTE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE AND DAMAGE THE CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE. IF THE CHECK VALVE IS DAMAGED, LOSS OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR.
NHTSA recalls