Model year record

1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SL recalls & problems

The 1990 Mercedes-Benz 500SL has 1 safety recall and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is tires (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints3filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 28, 1993

Power assist

Recall 93V06700014,300 vehicles

Problem: DURING THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE AIR FILTER HOUSING WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO MISROUTE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE AND DAMAGE THE CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE. IF THE CHECK VALVE IS DAMAGED, LOSS OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR.
Risk: LACK OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL INCREASESTOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PREFORMED HOSE WITH A RELOCATED CHECK VALVE WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CHECK VALVE BEING DAMAGED.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

500SL

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
TiresSidewall	2	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires
PIRELLI TIRES (4) BOUGHT 6/13/10. MY LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A THREE LANE HIGHWAY ON 7/21/10 (38 DAYS LATER). LUCKILY I WAS ON IN THE RIGHT LANE AND BARELY MADE IT TO AN EXIT LANE. THE TIRE IS PIRELLI FOUR SEASONS P6. 225/55R15 I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TIRE. THE TIRES WERE BOUGHT FROM MR. TIRE IN ANNAPOLIS. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE WITH THESE TIRES. THE POLICEMAN CAME BY AND TOLD ME TO GET MY CAR OFF THE EXIT--HE DID NOT EVEN GET OUT OF HIS CAR TO SEE IF I WAS ALRIGHT.. I HAD ALREADY CALLED AAA PLUS TO TOW MY CAR TO MR. TIRE AND THAT IS WHERE IT IS NOW. *TR
Jul 21, 2010 · 81,740 miles
Tires › Sidewall
TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. (PIRELLI P6-205/65/R15)YH
May 4, 2000
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN THE RAIN AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED, IMPAIRING VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AND AT A STAND STILL. *AK
Dec 17, 1996

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.