Mercedes-Benz SL Class Problems by Model Year

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints across the 2 model years of the Mercedes-Benz SL Class (1998–2003) that have at least 5 complaints. 1998 has the most, with 12. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (6 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.

All SL Class model years

Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.

Parts named most often, all years

Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.

• Brakes6 21%
• Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)4 14%
• Suspension4 14%
• Fuel system4 14%
• Body and structure3 11%
• Equipment3 11%
• Transmission and drivetrain2 7.1%
• Tires2 7.1%

Example complaints

One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

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