1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 82%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500, 82% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have 1995 SL500 last 8 years having electrical issues, related to wiring harness ,misfire ,steering pump,air pump and more. I am the first owner.all the wires are deteriorating,I thnik we need NHTSA to inspect these car manufacturers.if manufacturer installed the faulty wiring they should stand up and offer repairs at the mercedes dealers.free. Regards”
NHTSA complaint #10966708, filed 2017-03, 145,000 miles“91-96 mercedes engine wire harness disintegrates completely to shorting out all gauges and engine operations. This is very dangerous... Deadly dangerous . This needs to be addressed and recalled immediately. We are putting together a mass group to file a class action lawsuit against the NHTSA for not demanding mercedes to implement a recall on its deadly mistake. ( we have not lost a class action lawsuit today from 1989... Thank you in advance.”
NHTSA complaint #11016263, filed 2017-08, 1,000 miles“I have a 1995 mercedes benz and the wiring harness caught fire while was driving on the road and almost had a wreck trying to stop the car so I could get out, was choking from the fumes. Should I have waited until I had a wreck and killed someone. Since I have read on line that 500 people have had similar problems that they reported to you.”
NHTSA complaint #10246046, filed 2008-10, 141,000 miles“Mercedes benz engineered their 1995 SL500 with faulty wiring. I have experienced times when the car would not idle at a stop light. There have been times when I have crossed an intersection and the car stalled, had not power and just would not run. This has almost been the cause of more than one accident. Several hours has been spent by mechanics working on the car doing research to diagnosis the issues. We became aware of the faulty wiring that mercedes benz used and in turn has caused several components to fail. …”
NHTSA complaint #10458245, filed 2012-05, 102,300 miles“1995 SL500 had the sar light go on and the car went into limp mode and barely ran enough to get it to the service garage. The mechanic diagnosed a faulty engine wiring harness and showed me how the insulation on the wires was literally breaking away from the electrical wiring. This he said was shorting out the control module. He told me his was very common on the mercedes of this vintage and that it was a hazard. The car only has 83,000 miles on it and my wife baby it's like her own child. …”
NHTSA complaint #10291681, filed 2009-11, 83,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209…
- 10016687Mar 31, 2009Abc visit workshop displayed in instrument cluster and hydraulic fluid leakage. *tt updated 5/14/09. Models 215, 220 and 230. Model years unknown.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 4 | 21% |
| 2004 | 4 | 9% |
| 2003 | 10 | 13% |
| 1998 | 2 | 33% |
| 1997 | 1 | 11% |
| 1996 | 3 | 50% |
| 1995 | 18 | 82% |
| 1994 | 8 | 100% |
| 1993 | 4 | 67% |
Other parts of the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500
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