NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Mercedes Benz SL320 Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Mercedes Benz SL320 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Mercedes Benz SL320. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1997 Mercedes Benz SL320 owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Mercedes Benz SL320, describing incidents dated October 7, 1997 to June 20, 2018.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 2 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint
Seat Belts 1 complaint
Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Of the 6 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11194968 · Filed April 9, 2019
AT A SLOW 5 MPH PARKING LOT SPEED THE SEAT BELT TENSIONING DEVICES IGNITED. THE SRS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THERE WERE NO IMPACTS, PREVIOUS COLLISIONS, OR ANY REASON FOR THESE PRE-TENSIONING DEVICES TO ACTIVATE. IT WAS STARTING AND MY WIFE'S CHEST HURT FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER.
ODI #10015883 · Filed April 22, 2003
WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO USE THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE BUT IT DID NOT UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER THEN TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER THEN OPENED THE TRUNK AND AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. THE CONSUER THEN…
ODI #10015179 · Filed March 31, 2003
BURN SMELL COMING FROM ELECTRICAL HARNESS BOX. MR THE HARNESS BOX WAS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN OIL LEAK. *JB

Read all 6 complaints

MERCEDES-BENZ/AIR BAG MODULE

NHTSA #99V327000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported November 22, 1999 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 4,402 vehicles

Owners notified January 18, 2000 · Vehicles built June 1, 1996 – July 31, 1997 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION FILAMENT OF THE AIR BAG GAS GENERATOR MODULE CAN OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN AREAS OF FREQUENTLY HIGH HUMIDITY.

Safety consequence

CORROSION OF THE IGNITION FILAMENT CAN RESULT IN THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG BEING DEPLOYED UNINTENTIONALLY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 18,2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Mercedes Benz SL320. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Mercedes Benz SL320.

Seat Belts

ODI #11194968

Incident: June 20, 2018 · Filed: April 9, 2019

AT A SLOW 5 MPH PARKING LOT SPEED THE SEAT BELT TENSIONING DEVICES IGNITED. THE SRS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THERE WERE NO IMPACTS, PREVIOUS COLLISIONS, OR ANY REASON FOR THESE PRE-TENSIONING DEVICES TO ACTIVATE. IT WAS STARTING AND MY WIFE'S CHEST HURT FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #10015883

Fire

Incident: January 30, 2003 · Filed: April 22, 2003

WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO USE THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE BUT IT DID NOT UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER THEN TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER THEN OPENED THE TRUNK AND AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. THE CONSUER THEN NOTICED THAT THE BLACK BOX, IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE BATTER, BURNED. TEH VEHICLE ALSO LEAKED OIL. *AK *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #10015179

Incident: January 30, 2003 · Filed: March 31, 2003

BURN SMELL COMING FROM ELECTRICAL HARNESS BOX. MR THE HARNESS BOX WAS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN OIL LEAK. *JB

Visibility

ODI #780561

Filed: September 30, 1998

SINGLE WIPER BLADE HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIME IN 1 YR. DEALER STATES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH BLADES NOT LASTING.

Wheels

ODI #607010

Incident: January 13, 1998 · Filed: February 1, 1999

CHROME TIRE WHEEL IS LOOSE. YH

Equipment

ODI #523807

Incident: October 7, 1997 · Filed: October 15, 1997

A/C FAILURE.

Check your 1997 Mercedes Benz SL320 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercedes Benz SL320 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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