1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 85,206miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 14 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL. The part named most often is tires, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electrical system (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,206 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Tires2 40%
- Brakes1 20%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Seats1 20%
Example complaints
Tires: “The first tire was replaced within a month of purchase due to a bubble on the side. The tires were then only used for short city trips. When the tires were drive at highway speeds for two hours the thread seperated completely from the sidewalls..( DOT number: tire size: 245-45z-17 )”
NHTSA complaint #727589, filed 2000-08Brakes: “Problems with master brake cylinder and acceleration skid control. The vehicle was taken to the dealer because the brake pedal was low and spongy. A master cylinder had been previously been install may 2003. In addition the ars light would illuminate intermittently which caused the engine to lose power. The engine would immediately restart itself and the tachometer would rise from zero to the correct setting. …”
NHTSA complaint #10083397, filed 2004-07, 8,913 milesElectrical system: “Upon disassembly of the intake system of my car, it was discovered that the wiring harness had completely disintegrated - the insulation used on the wiring had become hard and brittle, causing multiple shorts and preventing it from being re-installed in the vehicle. The entire engine harness had to be replaced to correct the problem. Total cost approximately $1100.”
NHTSA complaint #10143261, filed 2005-11, 161,500 milesSeats: “Seat control adjuster engaged spontaneously and moved completely forward while the vehicle (1992 mercedes benz, 500 sl) was travelling at 65 MPH on beltway en route to bwi, pinning my wife against steering wheel, anfd forcing her to drive onto the fast lane shoulder.”
NHTSA complaint #10025229, filed 2003-07Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,913 and 161,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500SL RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $5,850 |
| 500SL RWD | 5.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 10 | 13 | 11 | $7,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V067000Apr 28, 1993Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assistCovers: Mercedes-Benz 500SL 1990–1992
During the removal and installation of the air filter housing while servicing the vehicle, it is possible to misroute the preformed vacuum hose and damage the check valve in the vacuum hose. If the check valve is damaged, loss of sufficient brake power…
Recall details for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 500SL
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 5 | 85,206 | 1 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz 500SL model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL is reported most often?
Tires is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL (500SL, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,206 miles and the middle half falls between 8,913 and 161,500 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.