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1998 Mercedes Benz Sl Class

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
12Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19962
199712
19980
1999
Compare all Sl Class years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Equipment
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Fuel System, Other
2Suspension
2Visibility
2
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Power Train
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Structure
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Equipment. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

12 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2010
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 HA…

Read full complaint

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? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364984

25,319 miles · May 29, 2009
Suspension

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 CO…

Read full complaint

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272355

24,870 miles · Mar 27, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 ODI #10011478

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
EquipmentStructure

HARD TOP. CD PLAYER. PHONE. WOOD TRIM PAINT. MOST PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DEALER ERRORS.

NHTSA ODI #6900291

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Fuel System, Other

GAS GAUGE.

NHTSA ODI #609631

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Fuel System, Other

GAS TANK FUEL SENDING UNIT.

NHTSA ODI #609610

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
EquipmentVisibility

HEATING, A/C, AND RADIO FAILURES.

NHTSA ODI #609470

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

ANTENNA FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ODI #608530

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VACUUM LINE DOOR/COUPLER FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #608018

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #607968

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.