U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz SL600 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

68,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1993 to 2007 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 15 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

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 17 complaints (41.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	5	29.4%
Electrical and battery issues	5	29.4%
Fuel system concerns	3	17.6%
Transmission and shifting	2	11.8%
Engine operation	2	11.8%

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.

Electrical System

Engine

Service Brakes

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Fuel/Propulsion System

Air Bags

Exterior Lighting

Fuel System, Gasoline

Electrical System: 7; Engine: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Air Bags: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 2 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.

2005

2007

2010

2014

2015

2016

2017

2020

2023

2025

2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2020: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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 10891702 · 2016-07-29 (July 29, 2016)

THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN…

Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10341914 · 2010-07-07 (July 7, 2010)

KNOCKING NOISE BEGIN TO APPEAR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. AT FIRST, BELIEVED TO BE LOOSE ITEM IN THE TRUNK BUT CHECK AND CAN'T FIND. LOOKED AT FORUM AND FOUND THAT MANY 2003/2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE GAS TANK BAFFLE. WHENEVER I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE, I HEAR THE KNOCKING NOISE, WHICH ALSO KNOCKS TWO OR THREE TIMES EVERYTIME I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS HANGING FROM A STRING OR FLOATING AND THEN BECAUSE OF INERTIA IT KNOCKS AGAINST THE SIDE OF A CONTAINER. THE HAZARD THAT I FEAR IS THA…

Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10341914 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10904866 · 2016-09-08 (September 8, 2016)

I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F…

Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10722044 · 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)

CAR BEGAN STALLING AT CRUISE... INSPECTION OF IGNITION WIRING HARNESS REVEALED ROTTED WIRING WITH THE INSULATION ALL DISINTEGRATED, LEAVING WIRING GROUNDING OUT ON THE EXPOSED WIRING... THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING NOW AND REPAIRS TO THE HARNESS ARE BEYOND ANYTHING BUT BUYING A NEW, COMPLETE HARNESS FOR $1000 FROM MB. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS FURTHER INQUIRY HAS ESTABLISHED THAT A BIO-DEGRADEABLE WIRING INSULATION WAS USED ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, LEAVING THE INSULATION VULNERABLE TO HEAT DISINTEGRATION.

Owner-reported narrative. 79,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10722044 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10850896 · 2016-03-21 (March 21, 2016)

ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM…

Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10141998 · 2005-11-07 (November 7, 2005)

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HER VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE DID ACT UP A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE PAST. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE IT BACK OR FIX THE TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIRS WILL HAVE TO BE PAID BY THE CONTACT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141998 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10614504 · 2014-07-18 (July 18, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,100.

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10614504 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1993

1994

1995

1997

2000

2004

2005

2007

1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1997: 1; 2000: 0; 2004: 0; 2005: 0; 2007: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz SL600 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1993	1	0	Not available
1994	1	0	0
1995	2	0	0
1997	3	1	Not available
2000	1	0	Not available
2004	4	0	Not available
2005	3	0	0
2007	2	0	Not available

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

88.2%Usable mileage15 / 17 records

100.0%Valid incident date17 / 17 records

100.0%Valid filing date17 / 17 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates17 / 17 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1993	1994	1995	1997	2000	2004	2005	2007
Electrical System	1100.0% ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10722044 · 79,800 mi CAR BEGAN STALLING AT CRUISE... INSPECTION OF IGNITION WIRING HARNESS REVEALED ROTTED WIRING WITH THE INSULATION ALL DISINTEGRATED, LEAVING WIRING GROUNDING OUT ON THE EXPOSED WIRING... THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING NOW AND REPAIRS TO THE HARNESS ARE BEYOND ANYTHING BUT BUYING A NEW, COMPLETE HARNESS FOR $1000 FROM MB. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS FURTHER INQUIRY HAS ESTABLISHED THAT A BIO-DEGRADEABLE WIRING INSULATION WAS USED ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, LEAVING THE INSULATION VULNERABLE TO HEAT DISINTEGRATION. Look up ODI 10722044 at NHTSA ↗	2100.0% ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	250.0% ODI 11557421 Mercedes SL600 BCM has electrical issues leading to a fire it is available for inspection. The car can burn down in a garage putting me and all others in or near the dwelling at risk. Yes the problem has been confirmed independently. No BCM issues lead to red light on dash. Look up ODI 11557421 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10317893 · 35,200 mi INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). SOMETIME AGO I WROTE YOU ABOUT COMPUTER PROBLEMS IN MY MERCEDES BENZ. YOU RESPONDED THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE IT AND SHARE THE RESULT WITH ME. HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU SINCE. ANYTHING NEW? TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS EXPERIENCING COMPUTER PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INJURY BOX AND CRASH BOX, BUT DID NOT INDICATE ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT IN THE COMPLAINT. UPDATED IVOQ 04/28/10.JB UPDATED … Look up ODI 10317893 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	1100.0% ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10722044 · 79,800 mi CAR BEGAN STALLING AT CRUISE... INSPECTION OF IGNITION WIRING HARNESS REVEALED ROTTED WIRING WITH THE INSULATION ALL DISINTEGRATED, LEAVING WIRING GROUNDING OUT ON THE EXPOSED WIRING... THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING NOW AND REPAIRS TO THE HARNESS ARE BEYOND ANYTHING BUT BUYING A NEW, COMPLETE HARNESS FOR $1000 FROM MB. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS FURTHER INQUIRY HAS ESTABLISHED THAT A BIO-DEGRADEABLE WIRING INSULATION WAS USED ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, LEAVING THE INSULATION VULNERABLE TO HEAT DISINTEGRATION. Look up ODI 10722044 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN… Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10706143 · 113,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 (NA) MERCEDES BENZ SL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. Look up ODI 10706143 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	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.	125.0% ODI 11702808 The safety component that is covered under the SBC warranty is the entire brake master cylinder specifically the part that is bad is the brake pedal position sensor The car is undriveable without it, they have a 25-year warranty on it yet they have no parts and no way to fix it which is obviously unacceptable they've also refused to provide a loaner car until they come up with a way to fix my car leaving me on the side of the road with nothing to drive it's unacceptable! My safety and everybody's safety on the road is affected by this because … Look up ODI 11702808 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10845826 · 65,000 mi THIS IS A COMPLAINT ON THE SBC SENSOTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM MERCEDES AND IT IS NOT. IT IS LISTED AS AN "ISSUE" THAT THEY HAVE SPECIFICALLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS JUST FOR THIS SYSTEM. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY! AN ALERT CAME ON AND TOLD ME TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE FULLY WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO DO! I WAS PRESSING IT AS HARD AS I COULD AND THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. I HAD TO PULL THE CAR INTO THE DITCH NEXT TO THE RAMP TO AVOID HITTING… Look up ODI 10845826 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10949002 · 92,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE ABS AND ESP WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE AND THE SBC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. Look up ODI 10949002 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2100.0% ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 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.
Fuel/Propulsion System	1100.0% ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 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.
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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10317893 · 35,200 mi INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). SOMETIME AGO I WROTE YOU ABOUT COMPUTER PROBLEMS IN MY MERCEDES BENZ. YOU RESPONDED THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE IT AND SHARE THE RESULT WITH ME. HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU SINCE. ANYTHING NEW? TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS EXPERIENCING COMPUTER PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INJURY BOX AND CRASH BOX, BUT DID NOT INDICATE ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT IN THE COMPLAINT. UPDATED IVOQ 04/28/10.JB UPDATED … Look up ODI 10317893 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting	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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10313554 · 15,000 mi CLEAR HEADLIGHT LENS COVER GETS WET ON INSIDE WHENEVER IT RAINS CAUSING LIGHT FROM HEADLAMP TO BE DIFFUSED AND RESTRICTING REACH OF BEAM. MANUFACTURER SAYS LEAVE HEADLIGHT ON DISSIPATE MOISTURE, HOWEVER SEEMS UNSAFE WHILE MOISTURE PRESENT. *TR Look up ODI 10313554 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	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.	125.0% ODI 10341914 · 86,000 mi KNOCKING NOISE BEGIN TO APPEAR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. AT FIRST, BELIEVED TO BE LOOSE ITEM IN THE TRUNK BUT CHECK AND CAN'T FIND. LOOKED AT FORUM AND FOUND THAT MANY 2003/2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE GAS TANK BAFFLE. WHENEVER I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE, I HEAR THE KNOCKING NOISE, WHICH ALSO KNOCKS TWO OR THREE TIMES EVERYTIME I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS HANGING FROM A STRING OR FLOATING AND THEN BECAUSE OF INERTIA IT KNOCKS AGAINST THE SIDE OF A CONTAINER. THE HAZARD THAT I FEAR IS THA… Look up ODI 10341914 at NHTSA ↗	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
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	66,000–79,800 mi	68,000 mi	5	ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10722044 · 79,800 mi CAR BEGAN STALLING AT CRUISE... INSPECTION OF IGNITION WIRING HARNESS REVEALED ROTTED WIRING WITH THE INSULATION ALL DISINTEGRATED, LEAVING WIRING GROUNDING OUT ON THE EXPOSED WIRING... THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING NOW AND REPAIRS TO THE HARNESS ARE BEYOND ANYTHING BUT BUYING A NEW, COMPLETE HARNESS FOR $1000 FROM MB. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS FURTHER INQUIRY HAS ESTABLISHED THAT A BIO-DEGRADEABLE WIRING INSULATION WAS USED ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, LEAVING THE INSULATION VULNERABLE TO HEAT DISINTEGRATION. Look up ODI 10722044 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	96,400 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10722044 · 79,800 mi CAR BEGAN STALLING AT CRUISE... INSPECTION OF IGNITION WIRING HARNESS REVEALED ROTTED WIRING WITH THE INSULATION ALL DISINTEGRATED, LEAVING WIRING GROUNDING OUT ON THE EXPOSED WIRING... THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING NOW AND REPAIRS TO THE HARNESS ARE BEYOND ANYTHING BUT BUYING A NEW, COMPLETE HARNESS FOR $1000 FROM MB. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS FURTHER INQUIRY HAS ESTABLISHED THAT A BIO-DEGRADEABLE WIRING INSULATION WAS USED ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, LEAVING THE INSULATION VULNERABLE TO HEAT DISINTEGRATION. Look up ODI 10722044 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN… Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	Too few reports for a range	78,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10845826 · 65,000 mi THIS IS A COMPLAINT ON THE SBC SENSOTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM MERCEDES AND IT IS NOT. IT IS LISTED AS AN "ISSUE" THAT THEY HAVE SPECIFICALLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS JUST FOR THIS SYSTEM. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY! AN ALERT CAME ON AND TOLD ME TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE FULLY WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO DO! I WAS PRESSING IT AS HARD AS I COULD AND THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. I HAD TO PULL THE CAR INTO THE DITCH NEXT TO THE RAMP TO AVOID HITTING… Look up ODI 10845826 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10949002 · 92,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE ABS AND ESP WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE AND THE SBC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. Look up ODI 10949002 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Too few reports for a range	67,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN… Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	113,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	35,200 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10317893 · 35,200 mi INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). SOMETIME AGO I WROTE YOU ABOUT COMPUTER PROBLEMS IN MY MERCEDES BENZ. YOU RESPONDED THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE IT AND SHARE THE RESULT WITH ME. HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU SINCE. ANYTHING NEW? TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS EXPERIENCING COMPUTER PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INJURY BOX AND CRASH BOX, BUT DID NOT INDICATE ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT IN THE COMPLAINT. UPDATED IVOQ 04/28/10.JB UPDATED … Look up ODI 10317893 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	15,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10313554 · 15,000 mi CLEAR HEADLIGHT LENS COVER GETS WET ON INSIDE WHENEVER IT RAINS CAUSING LIGHT FROM HEADLAMP TO BE DIFFUSED AND RESTRICTING REACH OF BEAM. MANUFACTURER SAYS LEAVE HEADLIGHT ON DISSIPATE MOISTURE, HOWEVER SEEMS UNSAFE WHILE MOISTURE PRESENT. *TR Look up ODI 10313554 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	86,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10341914 · 86,000 mi KNOCKING NOISE BEGIN TO APPEAR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. AT FIRST, BELIEVED TO BE LOOSE ITEM IN THE TRUNK BUT CHECK AND CAN'T FIND. LOOKED AT FORUM AND FOUND THAT MANY 2003/2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE GAS TANK BAFFLE. WHENEVER I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE, I HEAR THE KNOCKING NOISE, WHICH ALSO KNOCKS TWO OR THREE TIMES EVERYTIME I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS HANGING FROM A STRING OR FLOATING AND THEN BECAUSE OF INERTIA IT KNOCKS AGAINST THE SIDE OF A CONTAINER. THE HAZARD THAT I FEAR IS THA… Look up ODI 10341914 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

ComponentPeriod

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
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	1	None	ODI 11702808 The safety component that is covered under the SBC warranty is the entire brake master cylinder specifically the part that is bad is the brake pedal position sensor The car is undriveable without it, they have a 25-year warranty on it yet they have no parts and no way to fix it which is obviously unacceptable they've also refused to provide a loaner car until they come up with a way to fix my car leaving me on the side of the road with nothing to drive it's unacceptable! My safety and everybody's safety on the road is affected by this because … Look up ODI 11702808 at NHTSA ↗
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2005: 1 complaints · 2007: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2005	1	1	1
2007	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2005	3	0	0
2007	2	0	0

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
Component	Electrical System	Engine	Service Brakes	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Fuel/Propulsion System	Air Bags	Exterior Lighting	Fuel System, Gasoline
Electrical System	—	3 ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10722044 · 79,800 mi CAR BEGAN STALLING AT CRUISE... INSPECTION OF IGNITION WIRING HARNESS REVEALED ROTTED WIRING WITH THE INSULATION ALL DISINTEGRATED, LEAVING WIRING GROUNDING OUT ON THE EXPOSED WIRING... THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING NOW AND REPAIRS TO THE HARNESS ARE BEYOND ANYTHING BUT BUYING A NEW, COMPLETE HARNESS FOR $1000 FROM MB. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS FURTHER INQUIRY HAS ESTABLISHED THAT A BIO-DEGRADEABLE WIRING INSULATION WAS USED ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, LEAVING THE INSULATION VULNERABLE TO HEAT DISINTEGRATION. Look up ODI 10722044 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN… Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 11702808 The safety component that is covered under the SBC warranty is the entire brake master cylinder specifically the part that is bad is the brake pedal position sensor The car is undriveable without it, they have a 25-year warranty on it yet they have no parts and no way to fix it which is obviously unacceptable they've also refused to provide a loaner car until they come up with a way to fix my car leaving me on the side of the road with nothing to drive it's unacceptable! My safety and everybody's safety on the road is affected by this because … Look up ODI 11702808 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN… Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10317893 · 35,200 mi INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). SOMETIME AGO I WROTE YOU ABOUT COMPUTER PROBLEMS IN MY MERCEDES BENZ. YOU RESPONDED THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE IT AND SHARE THE RESULT WITH ME. HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU SINCE. ANYTHING NEW? TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS EXPERIENCING COMPUTER PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INJURY BOX AND CRASH BOX, BUT DID NOT INDICATE ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT IN THE COMPLAINT. UPDATED IVOQ 04/28/10.JB UPDATED … Look up ODI 10317893 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Engine	3 ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10722044 · 79,800 mi CAR BEGAN STALLING AT CRUISE... INSPECTION OF IGNITION WIRING HARNESS REVEALED ROTTED WIRING WITH THE INSULATION ALL DISINTEGRATED, LEAVING WIRING GROUNDING OUT ON THE EXPOSED WIRING... THE VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING NOW AND REPAIRS TO THE HARNESS ARE BEYOND ANYTHING BUT BUYING A NEW, COMPLETE HARNESS FOR $1000 FROM MB. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS FURTHER INQUIRY HAS ESTABLISHED THAT A BIO-DEGRADEABLE WIRING INSULATION WAS USED ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, LEAVING THE INSULATION VULNERABLE TO HEAT DISINTEGRATION. Look up ODI 10722044 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN… Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN… Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Service Brakes	1 ODI 11702808 The safety component that is covered under the SBC warranty is the entire brake master cylinder specifically the part that is bad is the brake pedal position sensor The car is undriveable without it, they have a 25-year warranty on it yet they have no parts and no way to fix it which is obviously unacceptable they've also refused to provide a loaner car until they come up with a way to fix my car leaving me on the side of the road with nothing to drive it's unacceptable! My safety and everybody's safety on the road is affected by this because … Look up ODI 11702808 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	2 ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN… Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi THE INSULATION ON THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS ENGINE AND BODY IS CRUMBLING EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AND CAN'T BE FIXED THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE MACHANIC TOUCHES THE WIRING SOMETHING ELSE FAILS. EVEN JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL SETS OFF DIFFERENT LIGHTS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 100 MILES IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BACK AND FORTH TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS AT MUCH EXPENSE, NOW MERCEDES IS SAYING THAT THE HARNESS IS NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KN… Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	1 ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	2 ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10904866 · 160,000 mi I AM FURIOUS THAT MERCEDES WOULD BUILD A OVER $100K VEHICLE AT ITS TIME WITH DEGRADABLE WIRING IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL COMPARTMENT. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TODAY WHEN I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SMOKE WAS BELLOWING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SMELLED A RICH ODOR FUEL AND THE IDLE ON THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND BLOW UP! I LATER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING F… Look up ODI 10904866 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10850896 · 66,000 mi ENGINE WIRING IS FAILING , THE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE ACTUATORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ACTUATORS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WIRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE THE WIRING IN FAILING IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A HIGHER POLLUTION OUT PUT. THE BODY MOUNTED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS IS FAILING CAUSING MANY FAILURES WITH ENGINE AND FUEL , EXHAUST , POLLUTION CONTROLS , AND OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUM… Look up ODI 10850896 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Air Bags	1 ODI 10317893 · 35,200 mi INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). SOMETIME AGO I WROTE YOU ABOUT COMPUTER PROBLEMS IN MY MERCEDES BENZ. YOU RESPONDED THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE IT AND SHARE THE RESULT WITH ME. HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU SINCE. ANYTHING NEW? TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS EXPERIENCING COMPUTER PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INJURY BOX AND CRASH BOX, BUT DID NOT INDICATE ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT IN THE COMPLAINT. UPDATED IVOQ 04/28/10.JB UPDATED … Look up ODI 10317893 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Exterior Lighting	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

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.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 11.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 92,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11702808

The safety component that is covered under the SBC warranty is the entire brake master cylinder specifically the part that is bad is the brake pedal position sensor The car is undriveable without it, they have a 25-year warranty on it yet they have no parts and no way to fix it which is obviously unacceptable they've also refused to provide a loaner car until they come up with a way to fix my car leaving me on the side of the road with nothing to drive it's unacceptable! My safety and everybody's safety on the road is affected by this because …

Look up ODI 11702808 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10949002 · 92,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE ABS AND ESP WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE AND THE SBC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Look up ODI 10949002 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 11.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 59,900 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10722044 · 79,800 mi

Look up ODI 10722044 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10614504 · 40,000 mi

Look up ODI 10614504 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 11.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 80,681 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10891702 · 68,000 mi

Look up ODI 10891702 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11301246 · 93,361 mi

WE TOOK A ROAD TRIP TO SAN ANTONIO, TX, ON 10/15/2019, AND WERE RETURNING HOME ON 10/17/2019 WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. SAN ANTONIO IS ABOUT 2 HOURS AWAY FROM LLANO, TX, WHERE WE LIVE. WE HAD DRIVEN IN SAN ANTONIO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND STOPPED FOR BREAKFAST AT IHOP AROUND 10:30 AM. AFTER LEAVING IHOP, WE HEADED NORTH ON THE FRONTAGE ROAD OF HIGHWAY 281. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, WE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE LANE. AS SOON AS WE PULLED AWAY, WE HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT. MY HUSBAND, GLEN, WAS DRIVING AND…

Look up ODI 11301246 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 86,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10341914 · 86,000 mi

Look up ODI 10341914 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule