Mercedes Benz Sl500 1997

Model Sl500 made in 1997 by Mercedes Benz got 11 consumer complains there are 2 recalls as well as 18 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, electrical system and power train. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system, exterior lighting and seat belts. There were some recalls concerningair bags, wheels.

Model 1997

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
99V327000MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.from 06/01/1996 to 07/31/1997V (Vehicle)440201/18/2000ODIMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.11/22/199911/29/1999
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryCorrosion of the ignition filament can result in the driver's air bag being deployed unintentionally.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the driver's air bag module.
NotesOwner notification began january 18,2000. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
WHEELS
06E014000ZF TRADING NORTH AMERICA, LLC E (Equipment)3142201/27/2006MFRMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.02/06/200602/13/2006
Defect SummaryCertain 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.
Consequence SummaryThis could result in a loss of a portion of the vehicle's braking ability, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Corrective SummaryZf trading will notify its owners and repair the wheel bearing kits free of charge. the recall began on january 27, 2006.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket lemfoerder wheel bearing kits, p/n 14023010 and has no relation to any original equipment installed on mercedes benz sl500 vehicles manufactured by mercedes benz.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
32502903/31/2009PB-32-50-29A10016687Abc visit workshop displayed in instrument cluster and hydraulic fluid leakage. *tt updated 5/14/09. models 215, 220 and 230. model years unknown. *pe09/27/2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
PB-82-10-376F02/06/200910028585Mercedes 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. *pe05/11/2009
SEAT BELTS
40-P-05279404/20/201210044222Mercedes 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. *js05/23/2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - DRUM
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - SHOES/LININGS
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - WHEEL CYLINDERS
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
STEERING
PB-46-20-16E02/27/200910028587Mercedes: 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 205/11/2009
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
PB-46-20-16E02/27/200910028587Mercedes: 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 205/11/2009
SUSPENSION
PB-32-50-35C02/22/200810028626Mercedes: 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.05/12/2009

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS
03/28/2011130000
 Tl. the contact owns a 1997 mercedes-benz sl 500. the contact stated while driving 50 mph the vehicle hydroplaned up to 70 mph and crash into a tree. during the vehicle was destroyed and the air bags did not deploy. the contact suffered broken ribs and a shattered spin. the contact was wearing the seat belt. the contact was taken to the hospital. the contact has not called the manufacturer. the contact stated at the speed the vehicle was traveling the air bags should have deployed. the failure mileage was 130,000. jo
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
01/19/200240000112/16/1997
 Dt: contact stated while driving a 1997 mercedes sl-500 it was involved in an accident where the driver, passenger, and side air bags did not deploy. consumer was driving approximately 15-20 mph, when the vehicle was struck (t-boned) on the passenger side door. the impact caused the vehicle to hit other vehicles. the consumer was wearing a seat belt. the air bag light was not illuminated before the accident occurred. the vehicle had not been in any previous accidents. there was a recall to have the driver side air bag replaced. the consumer did have this recall service performed. the manufacturer stated the airbags were not intended to deploy in this type of accident. *ak
AIR BAGS - SIDE/WINDOW
01/19/200240000112/16/1997
 Dt: contact stated while driving a 1997 mercedes sl-500 it was involved in an accident where the driver, passenger, and side air bags did not deploy. consumer was driving approximately 15-20 mph, when the vehicle was struck (t-boned) on the passenger side door. the impact caused the vehicle to hit other vehicles. the consumer was wearing a seat belt. the air bag light was not illuminated before the accident occurred. the vehicle had not been in any previous accidents. there was a recall to have the driver side air bag replaced. the consumer did have this recall service performed. the manufacturer stated the airbags were not intended to deploy in this type of accident. *ak
12/07/2004560001
 Consumer was driving at approximately 30 mph, and the air bag on the passenger side inadvertently deployed. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and the dealer told the consumer that they've never seen anything like this, and was telling the consumer that the vehicle had to have hit something for this to happen. vehicle was not hit. *ak *nm
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
01/27/2007114000109/28/2006
 I had a wiring harness fire in my vehicle a 1997 mercedes benz sl 500, it is due to a defect in the wire harness but mercedes benz is declining any involvement, i know of 129 other failures in like vehicles, it's costing me $10,000 to fix and i will not have my car back until july 2007. this needs to stop mercedes is deinying all involvment.*ak
POWER TRAIN
1
 When the gears were shifted, they became stuck. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
06/02/2002
 While driving at 40-50 mph and trying to slow down consumer could not stop vehicle. contacted dealer ,and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
01/31/2001
 Whenever vehicle runs over a bumps or a pothole, it causes door locks to pop open. dealer notified, and problem still ccurring. feel free to provide any any further information.*ak

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
CAOCEANSIDE92057500 MOTORS760-722-1234
TXHOUSTON77090MERCEDES BENZ OF HOUSTON NORTH281-885-6000