1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 17 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by visibility (2) and engine (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 15 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
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.
- Electrical system3 50%
- Engine1 17%
- Fuel system1 17%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “While driving, the consumer smelled a burning odor, then smoke started coming from the interior rearview mirror. The faulty device was due to a transistor that had gone bad on the electric board on the inside of the reaview mirror.”
NHTSA complaint #10081955, filed 2004-08, 50,000 milesEngine: “The contact owns a 1996 mercedes benz SL500. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled over, lifted up the hood, and noticed fire coming from the engine. The contact extinguished the fire. The contact sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wires connected to the harness melted and caused the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10730969, filed 2015-06, 98,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 72,000 and 98,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL500 RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,850 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 15 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10135628Oct 14, 2014Equipment. iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8
- 10165839Jul 14, 2014Transmission and drivetrain. Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS)
- 10165844Jul 10, 2014Transmission and drivetrain. Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant.
- 10166997Feb 21, 2014Suspension. The noise comes from the front axle. Vehicles without code B07 (AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system)
- 10167001Feb 20, 2014Steering. Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment is nonfunctional.
- 10166976Feb 3, 2014Equipment. Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual"
- 10044222Apr 20, 2012Seat belts. Mercedes benz: front or rear seat belt does not roll up correctly. Dirt deposits on the seat belt guide due to soiled seat belt. Also included models 169, f cell, 246, and 231. No model years given.
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Engine cooling, Electrical system. Xentry (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, 211, 219, 221, 216…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SL500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 13 | 54,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 19 | 40,282 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Falling |
| 2004 | 45 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 80 | 62,859 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 6 | 45,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 9 | 122,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | 85,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 22 | 97,500 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 8 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 6 | 66,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz SL500 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by visibility with 2.
Has the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (SL500, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,000 miles and the middle half falls between 72,000 and 98,000 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.