Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system13
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
- Visibility1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Power train1
- Equipment1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Exterior lighting1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 409 of these cars first registered in 1994 took their annual MOT test. 77% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1994 the figure was 66%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1994 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.0% | 16.4% |
| Visibility | 6.6% | 6.7% |
| Brakes | 5.4% | 11.0% |
| Tyres | 4.6% | 2.9% |
| Suspension | 4.4% | 10.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.2% | 6.5% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
16 1994 cars are on the New Zealand register; 81% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 601449 | UPDATED INFORMATION TO REFLECT ADDITON OF APPROVED TIRES. *YC |
| 10030964 | MERCEDES: THE LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT FOR MODELS 211, MODEL 219 AND MODELS 230 WAS EXTENDED FROM THE ORIGINAL 4 YEARS/50,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS WITH NO MILEAGE LIMITATION. THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT EXTENDED LIMITED WARRANTY APPLIES TO ALL CONDITIONS THAT JUSTIFY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT UNDER THE STANDARD WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS. *PE |
| 10030941 | MERCEDES: CRACKING NOISE FROM THE AREA OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL/FIREWALL WHEN CORNERING, DURING THROTTLE LIFT OFF AND ON UNEVEN ROADS. STRESS AT THE SPOT WELDS ON THE FIREWALL TO THE RIGHT OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER CAN RESULT IN CRACKING NOISES. NO RIGHT HAND DRIVE. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10030929 | MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AND OR HARDWARE CAN BEGIN TO CORRODE. INCLUDE ALL MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)