1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 50%of 6 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500, 50% of the 6 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 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.
“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 miles“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 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 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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