Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Mercedes Benz SL Class
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Equipment & Accessories
420.0%
Brakes
420.0%
Median failure at 24,870 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
315.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
210.0%
Suspension
210.0%
Median failure at 25,319 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
15.0%
Tires
15.0%
Lights
15.0%
Body & Structure
15.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1998peak 7Nov 2010
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Fernandina Beach, FL
TIRES
PURCHASED NEW MICHELIN SPORT TIRES DOT GUDL 275/35 ZR 18 ON11/3/2010 AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MANUFACTURING DATE WAS 1107. THESE TIRES WERE OVER 3 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD AS NEW. THE TIRE DEALER ACCEPTED MY COMPLAINT AND REPLACED THEM WITH 0909 TIRES. THE OLD ONES WERE BEING RETURNED TO THE DISTRIBUTOR BUT I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE RESOLD OR DESTROYED. SHOULDN'T THERE BE GUIDELINES MAKING SURE 3 YR OLD TIRES ARE DESTROYED AND NOT SOLD AS NEW?
NHTSA complaint #10364984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,319 milesVacaville, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
PURCHASED 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SL 600 FROM MBZ SAN FRANCISCO DEALERSHIP ON 4/22/09. IMMEDIATELY REPORTED EXCESSIVE AND DANGEROUS BOUNCING OF FRONT END. REPORTED DEFECT DEALER TOOK NO ACTION. TOOK CAR TO MBZ OF OAKLAND WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED BAD FRONT SUSPENSION PRESSURE CELLS WHICH CLEARLY EXISTED AT TIME OF SALE. OAKLAND MBZ COMPED DIAGNOSTIC. HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE SF MBZ CORRECT PROBLEM, BUT THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE WORK AND HAVE IGNORED MY LETTERS.
NHTSA complaint #10272355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,870 milesCharlotte Harbor, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
THE BRAKE SYSTEM VACUUM BOOSTER DID NOT HOLD THE VACUUM AND CAUSED A HISSING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND FOR A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST. PH *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10011478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Hollywood, CA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
HEATING, A/C, AND RADIO FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #609470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Grove, CA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
HARD TOP. CD PLAYER. PHONE. WOOD TRIM PAINT. MOST PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DEALER ERRORS.
NHTSA complaint #6900291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Grove, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
HARD TOP. CD PLAYER. PHONE. WOOD TRIM PAINT. MOST PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DEALER ERRORS.
NHTSA complaint #6900291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arcadia, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
GAS GAUGE.
NHTSA complaint #609631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Hollywood, CA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATING, A/C, AND RADIO FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #609470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Grove, CA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
HARD TOP. CD PLAYER. PHONE. WOOD TRIM PAINT. MOST PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DEALER ERRORS.
NHTSA complaint #6900291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #609610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Topanga, CA
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
ANTENNA FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #608530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Topanga, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
TRUNK LOCK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #608530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hermosa BE, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
VACUUM LINE DOOR/COUPLER FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #608018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasadena, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TAIL LIGHT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse ILE, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDOWS FAILED CAUSING SQUEAKING AND CHATTERING.
NHTSA complaint #539699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse ILE, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED CAUSING GRINDING AND SQUEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #539699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse ILE, MI
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse ILE, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
VACUUM FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #539699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse ILE, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
1R SIGNAL WIRE HAD A BAD CONNECTION CAUSING THE PHONE NOT TO WORK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, LOW FUEL LIGH TO BLINK, AND THE DOOR LOCKS TO MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #539699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.