1995 Mercedes-Benz SL320 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 69%of 16 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL320, 69% of the 16 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,000 miles. 1 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.
“My vehicle is a 1995 mercedes benz sl320r and was built with biodegradable wiring insulation in the engine harness. The insulation is deteriorating and causing problems throughout the electrical components. The vehicle has 131,000 miles. I'm the 3rd owner. Postings on the internet indicate potentially fatal failures are possible. It is likely that the previous owners were not aware of this problem. Do I have any recourse?”
NHTSA complaint #11203157, filed 2019-04, 121,000 miles“My mercedes benz 1994 wire harness shorted due to faulty insulation. This caused the car to stop running while driving. I had to have the auto towed. I understand the over 1 million mb cars are effected. Why is there not a recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10693881, filed 2015-03, 126,609 miles“Upper engine wiring harness deteriorated shorting out wires controlling engine. Causing intermittent engine stalling causing reduced and/or loss of control of vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10578760, filed 2014-04, 150,000 miles“The engine bay wiring harnesses have disintegrated on the car due to use of heat susceptible wire insulation. This has caused bare wires to short out in the engine bay. While driving the vehicle, it caused the engine to spontaneously surge resulting in uncontrolled acceleration. Subsequent to the surging, it caused the engine to die resulting in a loss of power steering and braking power. While attempting to diagnose with was causing these engine malfunctions, electrical arcing and smoldering of the wiring became apparent. This is a serious safety issue and mb has refused to correct it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10885736, filed 2016-07, 140,000 miles“The contact owns a 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL320. On several occasions, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the wiring harness to the computer cluster was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure, but the manufacturer was not. The failure mileage was 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11066993, filed 2018-02, 130,000 milesElectrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 2 | 33% |
| 1995 | 11 | 69% |
Other parts of the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL320
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL320
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