RoadVitals

1999 Mercedes-Benz SL500

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.
2
Latest Jan 23, 2020
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 Feb 6, 2006
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL500, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 15 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)1100.0%

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.gov
06E014000

WHEELS

Feb 6, 2006
31,422 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF A PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: ZF TRADING WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND REPAIR THE WHEEL BEARING KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 27, 2006.
ZF TRADING NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Jan 23, 2020
Fire reported

SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION FOUND A PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM HOOD WEDGED BETWEEN BODY OF VEHICLE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MATERIAL CAUGHT FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IDLING.

NHTSA ID
11301292
Incident
Jan 22, 2020
Mileage
157,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 29, 2006

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVETRAIN IS LEAPING AS THE CAR STARTS AND AS YOU START TO SHIFT. NO ACCIDENTS THAT LED UP TO THIS AND THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT SEVERAL (UNKNOWN QUANITY) TIMES. THE POWERTRAIN SEEMS TO BE SENDING POWER FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK OF THE CAR TOO QUICKLY AND THIS COULD LEAD TO FUTURE FAILURES AND A SAFETY RISK.

NHTSA ID
10161078
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
Mileage
25,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

LI27.50-P-071658

POWER TRAIN

Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R

LI27.50-P-049281

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D

LI82.70-P-060004

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8

LI27.00-P-051451

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS)

LI27.55-P-058976

POWER TRAIN

Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant.

LI42.10-P-058535

SUSPENSION

The noise comes from the front axle. Vehicles without code B07 (AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system)

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz SL500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009200—
2008000—
2007000—
2006130027.0
2005190038.7
2004450151.9
2003800138.7
2001310—
2000211—
1999Viewing210—
1998610—
1997920—
1996610—
1995221044.9
1994810—
1993610—
1992210—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.