1979 Mercedes Benz 450slc recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT LINKAGE ADJACENT TO THE ENGINE THROTTLE CONTROL CONTAINS A PLASTIC BUSHING THAT COULD DEFORM DUE TO HIGH ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURES CREATED BY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
What could happen:
The fix: PLASTIC BUSHINGS WILL BE REPLACED WITH STEEL BUSHINGS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 450SLC.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 84V007000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT LINKAGE ADJACENT TO THE ENGINE THROTTLE CONTROL CONTAINS A PLASTIC BUSHING THAT COULD DEFORM DUE TO HIGH ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURES CREATED BY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Consequence:
Remedy: PLASTIC BUSHINGS WILL BE REPLACED WITH STEEL BUSHINGS.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE TRANSMISSION AND THROTTLE LINKAGES COULD BIND,POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE. LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
05/02/2002 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
WHILE PARKING HER VEHICLE INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AND HIT A TREE AND BANK BUILDING. *JB *YH
09/21/2001 · Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN ENGINE WAS STARTED, IT RAN AT FULL THROTTLE DUE TO A NYLON BUSHING FAILURE, THE NYLON BUSHING WAS NOTED TO BE COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. *SLC