Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Mercedes Benz 560 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

4 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

127,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation125.0%
Fuel system concerns125.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags:Frontal
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
1
Vehicle Speed Control
1
Visibility
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags:Frontal1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Visibility1

Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1; Visibility: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
2
1996
1
2010
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19952
19961
20101

1995: 2; 1996: 1; 2010: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 507432 · 1996-08-13 (August 13, 1996)

FAULTY FUEL PUMP RELAY CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507432 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

25.0%Usable mileage1 / 4 records
100.0%Valid incident date4 / 4 records
100.0%Valid filing date4 / 4 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates4 / 4 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component19851986198719881989199019911994
Vehicle Speed Control
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

337.5%
ODI 840679

EA88034; WHILE IN REVERSE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED. OCCUPANT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK, CAUSING A CRASH AND INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

Look up ODI 840679 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 967339

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, RESULTING IN IMPACT WITH THE HOUSE. TT

Look up ODI 967339 at NHTSA ↗

753.8%
ODI 10168658 · 170,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY INTO THE STREET WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH A HOUSE ON THE OTHER SIDE AT 25 MPH. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TEAM RESPONDED. A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN. THE CONTACT AVOIDED SERIOUS INJURY DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAG, ALTHOUGH TREATMENT WAS RECEIVED FOR MINOR ABRASIONS AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUST AND POOR MAINTENANCE, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT CLAI…

Look up ODI 10168658 at NHTSA ↗

342.9%
ODI 8001708

THROTTLE IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, CONSUMER STATED THAT THAT THREE COLLISIONS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE SOURCE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Look up ODI 8001708 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

215.4%
ODI 10054287 · 32,000 mi

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT IS FAULTY. COULD RESULT IN NON-DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING VEHICLE ACCIDENT. *CB

Look up ODI 10054287 at NHTSA ↗

114.3%
ODI 959414

WARNING LIGHT ON DASH (SRS) WOULD LIGHT UP AND STAYED LID A FEW MINUTES. CURRENTLY ON PERMANENTLY. DEALER SOLD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT INSISTS CONSUMER USE OLD PARTS.

Look up ODI 959414 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

112.5%
ODI 810124

CONSUMER HAS NOTICED LEAKING OIL FROM THE LEFT HEAD GASKET, CAUSING FUMES/ ODOR TO ENTER INSDIE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. *AK

Look up ODI 810124 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

228.6%
ODI 504077

VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS, CAUSING OIL FUMES TO ENTER INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *DSH

Look up ODI 504077 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

215.4%
ODI 513027

AIR BAG FAILED (UNSPECIFIED REASON).

Look up ODI 513027 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags:Frontal
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 962740

FRONTAL COLLISION IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 65MPH, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

Look up ODI 962740 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 10034417 · 110,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH BOTH OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER WAS INJURED BY THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG ON DRIVER'S SIDE. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED ON THE LEFT ARM/STOMACH AND THE PENIS.*AK

Look up ODI 10034417 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

112.5%
ODI 10117787 · 62,400 mi

CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, PLACED IT INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, AND IT CRASHED INTO A POLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

Look up ODI 10117787 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.7%
ODI 852403

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE HITTING A CURB, GOING AIRBORNE INTO A STORE WINDOW. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. *AK

Look up ODI 852403 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

112.5%
ODI 840679

EA88034; WHILE IN REVERSE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED. OCCUPANT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK, CAUSING A CRASH AND INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

Look up ODI 840679 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 958140

BRAKES FAILED DURING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *AK

Look up ODI 958140 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Visibility
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

112.5%
ODI 10372402

1986 MERCEDES BENZ 560SL. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND FAIL TO MY FACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM TO 560SL OWNER. THIS IS DUE TO THE WORN OUT / DEFECT OF THE PLASTIC HOLDER THAT HOLD THE VISOR. *TR

Look up ODI 10372402 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10364177 · 127,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 MERCEDES BENZ 560SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND FELL; THE PLASTIC THAT HELD THE VISOR BROKE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

Look up ODI 10364177 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
VisibilityToo few reports for a range127,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10364177 · 127,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 MERCEDES BENZ 560SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND FELL; THE PLASTIC THAT HELD THE VISOR BROKE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

Look up ODI 10364177 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1991: 0 complaints · 1994: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1991000
1994011
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1991210
1994010

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentAir Bags:FrontalFuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpVehicle Speed ControlVisibility
Air Bags:Frontal—000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump0—00
Vehicle Speed Control00—0
Visibility000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 25.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 507432

FAULTY FUEL PUMP RELAY CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY.

Look up ODI 507432 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b