1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 11%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 137,452miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the engine of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500, 11% of the 9 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 137,452 miles.
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.
“Wiring insulation for lights and power steering deteriorated to the point of causing massive shorts in multiple systems, draining the battery and resulting in engine failure at highway speeds. I maneuvered in heavy traffic onto an off ramp that provided a safe exit from the 6 lane beltway and had to be towed. Turn signals, brake lights, power steering, half of the instruments (including speedometer and odometer), battery and charging system are inoperable due to bare wires shorting out the wiring harnesses. …”
NHTSA complaint #10522165, filed 2013-06, 137,452 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500
4 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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