1972 Mercedes Benz 350sl recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1972 350SL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 71V225000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: MERCEDES BENZ CAMPAIGN NO. PRODUCED JULY 1971 TO OCT. 1971. POSSIBILITYTHAT SEAT RAIL BOLTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY TIGHTENE D, LOOSE BOLTS MAY NOTPROVIDE SATISFACTORY SUPPORT DURING EME RGENCY DRIVING CONDITION. (CORRECT BYINSPECTING AND PROPERLY TIGHTENING WHERE NECESSARY. ) POSSIBILITY THAT HOODCATCH MA Y ALLOW HOOD TO OPEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. (CORRECT BYINSTALLING NEWLY DESIGNED HOOD CATCH. ) MODIFIED TO INSURE PR OPERREINFORCEMENT OF THE LOWEST OF REINFORCEMENT OF LOWEST OF THREE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING POINTS. THIS WILL INCREASE SERVICE LIFE OF THAT GASKET ON FUELGAUGE SENDING UNIT IN GASO LINE TANK MAY GAUGE SENDINGUNIT IN GASOLINE TANK MAYLEAK. TH IS WOULD PERMIT LEAKAGE OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FUMES IN VEHI CLE.(CORRECT BY REPLACING GASKET WITH IMPROVED TYPE GASKET. ) POSSIBILITY THATTHREE HEXAGONAL BOLTS OF LOWER POWER STEER ING BOX COVER MAY BE LOOSE AND COULDCAUSE STEERING. (CORRECT BY INSPECTING AND RETIGHTENING BOLTS). STEERING.(CORRECT B Y INSPECTING AND RETIGHTENING BOLTS. BY I
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Body / structure (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
06/14/2012 · Body / structure
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED AN EXCELLENT CLASSIC 1972 MERCEDES 350SL. I HAD A SAFETY INSPECTION BY A LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER (AUTOHAUS ON EDENS IN GLENCOE IL) BEFORE I COMMITTED TO BUYING THE CAR. AT THE TIME, NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED OR REPORTED. A FEW WEEKS AGO, I TOOK THE CAR TO A CLASSIC MERCEDES SPECIALIST (AXEL'S AUTOMOTIVE) WHO DISCOVERED…