Mercedes Benz SL electrical problems
21 complaint narratives mention electrical terms.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 to 2011 model years. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Electrical and battery issues evidence
21 of 40 complaints match this topic (52.5%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10201881 · 2007-09-04 (September 4, 2007)
THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IS HARDENED AND BRITTLE AND WIRES ARE TOUCHING EACH OTHER THAT SHOULD NOT. I SPENT 30 YEARS IN THE CAR BUSINESS AND FOUND THAT THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRESENT IN VOLVO CARS AND MERCEDES. THE WIRING HARNESS IS SUB OUT TO FRENCH CONTRACTORS AND THE PLASTIC ON THE WIRES HARDENS AND FALLS OFF THE WIRES AND THE VACUUM LINES WHEN IN CONTACT WITH BATTERY ACID EATS THEM UP WHICH WIPES OUT THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE THE INCENTIVE AND BRING THEIR STANDARDS UP--- OR HIRE SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE JOB. MY FIRST MBZ …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074940 · 2004-06-07 (June 7, 2004)
THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM DEVELOPED SEVERE SHORTS, STALLED THE ENGINE, DISABLED THE ABS, ASR,SRS SYSTEMS. WITH ENGINE STALLED, STEERING AND BRAKING WERE DIFFICULT AND RESULTED IN FRONT END DAMAGE FROM IMPACT TO ROADSIDE BRUSH AND DIRT. WIRING INSULATION INSIDE THE WIRING BUNDLES HAD CRUMBLED TO DUST IN MANY PLACES FAR REMOVED FROM THE SHORT/MINOR FIRE. CAR STILL NOT OPERABLE DUE TO OTHER MAJOR WIRING HARNESS SHORTS DUE TO CRUMBLING INSULATION ON THE WIRES (HIDDEN BY THE BUNDLE JACKET) DEALER RESPONSE TOUGH IF YOU HAD BOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137365 · 2005-09-22 (September 22, 2005)
INSULATION ON ELECTRICAL WIRING CRUMBLES TO DUST, RESULTING IN SHORTS, DAMAGED ELECTRONICS, ENGINE STALLING, ABS FAILURE, ETC. IT APPEARS MBZ USED DEFECTIVE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESSES. IN ALL LOCATIONS THAT ARE EXPOSED TO HIGHER THAN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE THE INSULATION CRUMBLES TO DUST. . DEALER SAYS 'ITS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 92-95 MODEL YEARS'. REPLACEMENT HARNESSES COST OVER $3000 (2 RQD) AND REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS WITH INTEGRAL DEFECTIVE WIRING COST OVER $8000 (NOT INCLUDING ANY COMPUTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151360 · 2006-02-27 (February 27, 2006)
TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE, ENGINE STOPPAGE, DEACTIVATION OF ABS, ASD, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS, LIGHTS. WHEN GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACT, ROAD VIBRATION CAUSED DETERIORATED WIRING INSULATION (INSIDE A BUNDLE OF WIRES) TO FALL OFF CAUSING A MASSIVE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. APPARENTLY SEVERAL MODEL YEARS OF THESE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE INSULATION THAT 'CRUMBLES' TO A POWDER. THIS CONDITION IS NOT VISIBLE DURING ORDINARY INSPECTION AND REQUIRED ONE TO CUT OPEN THE ENCAPSULATED WIRING HARNESSES. FAILED WIRING HARNESSES FOR THESE…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,003 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189179 · 2007-04-29 (April 29, 2007)
ON MY SL320 I HAD THE STARTER MOTOR ENGAGE AND WOULD NOT CUT OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT. THE WIRING HARNESS HAD COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. THE INSULATION WAS CRACKED AND FALLING OFF. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189179 at NHTSA ↗