1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 62,400miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 13 mpgcombined, 5.6L 8-cyl RWD · 12 city / 15 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and engine cooling (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 62,400 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Brakes3 38%
- Engine cooling2 25%
- Equipment1 13%
- Exterior lighting1 13%
- Suspension1 13%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Consumer started the vehicle, placed it into drive and vehicle went forward. Consumer could not stop the vehicle after applying the brakes, and it crashed into a pole and another vehicle. Consumer's vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10117787, filed 2005-04, 62,400 milesVehicle speed control: “Ea88034; while in reverse vehicle suddenly accelerated at high speed. Occupant applied the brakes, but they did not work, causing a crash and injuries. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #840679, filed 1999-06Engine cooling: “Consumer has noticed leaking oil from the left head gasket, causing fumes/ odor to enter insdie the vehicle. In addition, consumer there is transmission fluid leak.”
NHTSA complaint #810124, filed 1997-06Equipment: “1986 mercedes benz 560sl. The driver side sun visor broke and fail to my face while I was driving, almost causing an accident. This is a very common problem to 560sl owner. This is due to the worn out / defect of the plastic holder that hold the visor.”
NHTSA complaint #10372402, filed 2010-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,400 and 62,400 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 560SEC RWD | 5.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 15 | 13 | $6,300 |
| 560SEL RWD | 5.5L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 15 | 13 | $6,300 |
| 560SL RWD | 5.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 14 | $5,850 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 560
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 5 | 103,500 | 1 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 178,013 | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 13 | 32,000 | 2 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 62,400 | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz 560 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.
Has the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 (560SEC, 5.6L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 12 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $6,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 62,400 miles and the middle half falls between 62,400 and 62,400 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.