1993 Mercedes Benz Sl500 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. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. CERTAIN ZF TRADING NORTH AMERICA AFTERMARKET WHEEL BEARING KITS, LEMFOERDER P/N 1402301, SOLD FOR INSTALLATION ON 1992-2001 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 (R129) VEHICLES AFTER APRIL 1, 2005. THE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS USED IN THE WHEEL BEARING KIT MAY BE DEFECTIVE, SHEAR OFF AND BREAK. IF BOTH CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS BREAK, THE BRAKE CALIPER MAY BECOME UNFIXED AND, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKED, THE BRAKE ROTOR COULD DRAG THE CAL…
What could happen: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF A PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: ZF TRADING WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND REPAIR THE WHEEL BEARING KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 27, 2006.
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 1993 SL500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E014000.
- 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: WHEELS
Summary: CERTAIN ZF TRADING NORTH AMERICA AFTERMARKET WHEEL BEARING KITS, LEMFOERDER P/N 1402301, SOLD FOR INSTALLATION ON 1992-2001 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 (R129) VEHICLES AFTER APRIL 1, 2005. THE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS USED IN THE WHEEL BEARING KIT MAY BE DEFECTIVE, SHEAR OFF AND BREAK. IF BOTH CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS BREAK, THE BRAKE CALIPER MAY BECOME UNFIXED AND, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKED, THE BRAKE ROTOR COULD DRAG THE CALIPER, CAUSING THE BRAKE HOSE TO RUPTURE AND THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION TO BE DAMAGED.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF A PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ZF TRADING WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND REPAIR THE WHEEL BEARING KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 27, 2006.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET LEMFOERDER WHEEL BEARING KITS, P/N 14023010 AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON MERCEDES BENZ SL500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY MERCEDES BENZ. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1993 Mercedes Benz Sl500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (4), Engine (2), Airbags (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
05/12/2018 · Electrical system · fire
MY 1993 MER BENZ FFIRST STARTED TO LOSE ITS POWER KINDA LIKE LIMP MODE CUZ THE RPM WOULDNT GO PAST 2,000 UNTIL ONE DAY IT STARTED SMOKING REALLY BAD THRU THE VENTS AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD UNTIL THE CAR TURNED OFF AND HASNT TURNED BACK ON SINCE I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL. SHOP WHERE I WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FIRE THE WIRING HARNESS HAD STARTED DUE TO THE…
09/09/2015 · Electrical system
BAD WIRING HARNESS. INSULATION DANGEROUSLY DEGRADED WITHIN SHEATHING, CAUSING A SHORT IN MY ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE A MERCEDES RECALL WITH PARTS AND LABOR REPAIRS PAID BY MERCEDES. THIS PROBLEM IS AS SERIOUS AS THE RECENT IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A MULTIPLE FATALITY WRECK. PLEASE CONTA…
05/31/2011 · Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSULATION OVER THE COPPER WIRING HARNESS WHEN IT WAS EXPOSED TO THE HEAT IN THE ENGINE BECAME EXPOSED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE MANUFACTUR…
03/08/2010 · Electrical system
ELECTRICAL WIRING INSULATION IS DEGRADING ON WIRING HARNESS(S) IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE OR SERVE PROPERTY LOSS. I FEEL MERCEDES SHOULD PROVIDE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THESE WIRING HARNESS'S ON AFFECTED MODEL SL500, YEARS 1991 THRU 1996 REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE. *TR
03/08/2010 · Electrical system
WIRING INSULATION BREAKING DOWN IN THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE CONTROLS CAUSING DAMAGE INSULATION HAS COME OFF AND WIRES BARE AND TOUCHING . *TR
06/09/2007 · Airbags
A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THIS BEAUTY THE AIR BAG LIGHTCOME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THE PERFORMANCEWAS GREATLY EFFECTED AND IT BROKE MY HEART TO LOSE MY BRAGGING RIGHTS ON THE 1993 500SL , ONLY 68000 MILES. *AK PLEASE FIND A WAY FOR ME TO AFFORDABLY FIX THIS.