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Mercedes-Benz SL320Model year report

1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
150,000miles, 1 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
18 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and equipment (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 150,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 5 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.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “While parked in a garage the consumer attempted to use the keyless entry remote but it did not unlock the vehicle. The consumer then tried to start the vehicle but it would not start. The consumer then opened the trunk and at that time the consumer smelled a strong burning odor. The consuer then noticed that the black box, immediately above the batter, burned. Teh vehicle also leaked oil.”

NHTSA complaint #10015883, filed 2003-04

Seat belts: “At a slow 5 MPH parking lot speed the seat belt tensioning devices ignited. The srs system malfunctioned. There were no impacts, previous collisions, or any reason for these pre-tensioning devices to activate. It was starting and my wife's chest hurt for a few days after.”

NHTSA complaint #11194968, filed 2019-04, 150,000 miles

Mileage 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 150,000 and 150,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–150100%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 150,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

199719981999200322019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
SL320 RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162218$4,550

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

Recall details for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SL320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19976150,0001—18—Not enough data
199516137,5000—18—Stable

All Mercedes-Benz SL320 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.

Has the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 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 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 (SL320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 150,000 miles and the middle half falls between 150,000 and 150,000 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 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.