Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags4
- Electrical system1
- Engine1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Steering1
- Seat belts1
- Power train1
- Structure1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
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.
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 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10181124 | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R |
| 10181123 | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D |
| 10167001 | Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment is nonfunctional. |
| 10166997 | The noise comes from the front axle. Vehicles without code B07 (AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system) |
| 10166976 | Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual" |
| 10165844 | Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant. |
| 10165839 | Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS) |
| 10135628 | iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8 |
| 10044222 | MERCEDES BENZ: FRONT OR REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT ROLL UP CORRECTLY. DIRT DEPOSITS ON THE SEAT BELT GUIDE DUE TO SOILED SEAT BELT. ALSO INCLUDED MODELS 169, F CELL, 246, AND 231. NO MODEL YEARS GIVEN. *JS |
| 10033070 | XENTRY (MERCEDES): ENGINE WARNING LAMP IS CURRENTLY ON OR WAS ON AND A DELAY FAULT OF THE CAMSHAFT ADJUST TO CURRENT OR STORED IN THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. MODELS 171, 203, 209, 211, 219, 221, 216, 230, 164, 251, AND 403. 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 |
| 10028626 | MERCEDES: THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION LEVEL RANDOMLY LOWERING WHILE DRIVING AND/OR RAPID SPORADIC LEVEL CHANGES SHORTLY AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, REPLACE THE BODY ACCELERATION SENSORS. MODELS 215.3, 220, AND 230. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10028587 | MERCEDES: LEAKS AT STEERING GEAR CONTROL HEAD CONNECTION TO HIGH OR LOW PRESSURE LINES OR LEAKS AT INTERNAL STEERING LINES OF CONTROL HEAD CONNECTION TO STEERING GEAR HOUSING. MODELS 171, 203, 204, 209, 211, 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, AND 230. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10028585 | MERCEDES VEHICLES: THE XENON OR BI-XENON HEADLAMP NOT FUNCTIONING. A FUNCTION DESCRIPTION CAN BE FOUND IN WIS DOCUMENT GF8S.10-P-20010 (203), GF82.10-P-0003Q (209); GF82.10-P-3002R (230). MODEL YEARS UKNOWN. *PE |
| 10016687 | ABC VISIT WORKSHOP DISPLAYED IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE. *TT UPDATED 5/14/09. MODELS 215, 220 AND 230. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)