STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Dec 9, 1971
89 units potentially affected
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
1972 Mercedes-Benz 350SL
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Jun 14, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 9, 1971
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0
Overview
Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1972 Mercedes-Benz 350SL, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Not enough dated records to plot a meaningful trend — 1 month of data.
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Body & structure1100.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Body & structure
Filed Jun 14, 2012
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED AN EXCELLENT CLASSIC 1972 MERCEDES 350SL. I HAD A SAFETY INSPECTION BY A LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER (AUTOHAUS ON EDENS IN GLENCOE IL) BEFORE I COMMITTED TO BUYING THE CAR. AT THE TIME, NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED OR REPORTED. A FEW WEEKS AGO, I TOOK THE CAR TO A CLASSIC MERCEDES SPECIALIST (AXEL'S AUTOMOTIVE) WHO DISCOVERED AN OPEN RECALL ON THE CAR FOR THE SUBFRAME. HE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE SAME MERCEDES DEALER (AUTOHAUS) WHERE I ORIGINALLY HAD THE CAR INSPECTED. THEY (AUTOHAUS) ARE DECLINING THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOW 40 YEARS OLD AND THEY SAY THAT ONCE THEY START WORKING ON IT, THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS REQUIRED THAT ARE NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THEY WANT ME TO PAY NEARLY $8,000 (WORST CASE) IN THE EVENT THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE REPAIR. NOW THEY WON'T RELEASE THE CAR UNLESS I SIGN A LIABILITY WAIVER. THE CAR IS BEAUTIFUL AND RUNS FINE, BUT IS NOW SITTING IN BACK OF THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU CAN HELP ME WITH. KIND REGARDS, {XXX}"PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552 (B) 96)." *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10461819
- Incident
- May 2, 2012
- Mileage
- 153,000 mi