1992 Mercedes Benz 500sl recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. DURING THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE AIR FILTER HOUSING WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO MISROUTE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE AND DAMAGE THE CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE. IF THE CHECK VALVE IS DAMAGED, LOSS OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR.
What could happen: LACK OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL INCREASESTOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PREFORMED HOSE WITH A RELOCATED CHECK VALVE WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CHECK VALVE BEING DAMAGED.
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 1992 500SL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V067000.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
Summary: DURING THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE AIR FILTER HOUSING WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO MISROUTE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE AND DAMAGE THE CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE. IF THE CHECK VALVE IS DAMAGED, LOSS OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR.
Consequence: LACK OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL INCREASESTOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PREFORMED HOSE WITH A RELOCATED CHECK VALVE WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CHECK VALVE BEING DAMAGED.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (2), Electrical system (1), Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1), Seats (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
11/19/2005 · Electrical system
UPON DISASSEMBLY OF THE INTAKE SYSTEM OF MY CAR, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED - THE INSULATION USED ON THE WIRING HAD BECOME HARD AND BRITTLE, CAUSING MULTIPLE SHORTS AND PREVENTING IT FROM BEING RE-INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TOTAL COST APPROXIMAT…
07/19/2004 · Brakes
PROBLEMS WITH MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND ACCELERATION SKID CONTROL.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOW AND SPONGY. A MASTER CYLINDER HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY BEEN INSTALL MAY 2003. IN ADDITION THE ARS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER. THE ENGINE WOULD IMMEDIATELY RESTART ITSELF AND…
11/05/2003 · Wheels / tires
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED 3 TIRE BLOW OUTS.*MR (NAR) APPROX 3 OUT OF 4 TIRES HAVE FAILED. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT COST. *CB23.505 *JB
07/01/2003 · Seats
SEAT CONTROL ADJUSTER ENGAGED SPONTANEOUSLY AND MOVED COMPLETELY FORWARD WHILE THE VEHICLE (1992 MERCEDES BENZ, 500 SL) WAS TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH ON BELTWAY EN ROUTE TO BWI, PINNING MY WIFE AGAINST STEERING WHEEL, ANFD FORCING HER TO DRIVE ONTO THE FAST LANE SHOULDER. *AK
08/11/2000 · Wheels / tires
THE FIRST TIRE WAS REPLACED WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE DUE TO A BUBBLE ON THE SIDE. THE TIRES WERE THEN ONLY USED FOR SHORT CITY TRIPS. WHEN THE TIRES WERE DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR TWO HOURS THE THREAD SEPERATED COMPLETELY FROM THE SIDEWALLS..( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245-45Z-17 )