2001 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 2001 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
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 2001 Mercedes Benz Sl500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (2), Transmission / drivetrain (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
08/05/2018 · Electrical system
VEHICLE WAS BEING STORED IN MY GARAGE .. I STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT WAS SITTING AT AN IDLE.. I NOTICED THE BATTERY LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATE. THEN I COULD SMELL BURNING. I NOTICED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SMOKE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED MORE SMOKE, BURNT SMELL, THE WIRING HARNESS WAS SHORTING AND BURNING.…
03/15/2010 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES SL500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE GEAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
11/09/2006 · Electrical system
I HAVE AN 01 S500 MERCEDES BENZ WITH ONLY 44000 MILES ON IT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT @ 36000 MILES. THE LIGHTS ARE DIMMED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. A LOCAL SHOP TRIED TO REPAIR IT FOR $625 BUT I WAS TOLD, SINCE IT'S A CIRCUIT, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BLOW. THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $1900. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS I FIND THIS TO…