1994 Mercedes-Benz SL Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 87%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,003miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL, 87% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,003 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1994 600sl mercedes (35,000 miles) with complete break down of all the electrical wire insulation. Upon my investigation I find that every SL has this problem. I would like mercedes to replace all the wiring harnesses including the harness to the throttle bodies.”
NHTSA complaint #10232050, filed 2008-06, 34,500 miles“There are multiple inherant flaws with this model vehicle that affect the safety and roadworthiness of this automobile included herin as abserved by me in my ownership. I had replaced the main engine wiring harness that had insulation on the wires that litterally turned to dust! These wires were free to arc on eachother causing sudden loss of acceleration, causing sudden acceleration(this car is equiped with an electronic throttle body and will accelerate without driver imput), finally failed throttle response! …”
NHTSA complaint #10456069, filed 2012-04, 155,244 miles“I own a 1994 SL 600 mercedes benz. After paying 17,000 dollars for the car, I recently noticed the car stalling on the highway and in traffic. Major concern when in heavy traffic and the car stalls with everyone blowing their horns and I am driving a 135k dollar car. It finally breaks down and I have it towed to tony's foreign car in wilmington, nc for assessment. They inform me that it is the wiring harness failure and showed me the decomposition of the insulation on the wiring. …”
NHTSA complaint #10218634, filed 2008-02, 93,289 miles“On my sl320 I had the starter motor engage and would not cut off even when the key was out. The wiring harness had completely deteriorated. The insulation was cracked and falling off.”
NHTSA complaint #10189179, filed 2007-04, 100,000 miles“The wiring harness to the engine control system developed severe shorts, stalled the engine, disabled the ABS, asr,srs systems. With engine stalled, steering and braking were difficult and resulted in front end damage from impact to roadside brush and dirt. Wiring insulation inside the wiring bundles had crumbled to dust in many places far removed from the short/minor fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10074940, filed 2004-06, 80,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10030941Jul 6, 2009Mercedes: cracking noise from the area of the instrument panel/firewall when cornering, during throttle lift off and on uneven roads. Stress at the spot welds on the firewall to…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 12 | 92% |
| 1994 | 13 | 87% |
Other parts of the 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology