1991 Mercedes Benz 500sl recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.
What could happen: LACK OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL INCREASESTOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The 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.
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 1991 500SL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V067000.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
Summary: 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.
Consequence: LACK OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL INCREASESTOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1991 Mercedes Benz 500sl owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (2), Vehicle Speed Control (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
10/29/2009 · Electrical system
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE, MULTIPLE SYSTEMS AFFECTED. CAR WILL SPUTTER, STALL, NOT RESTART. HAPPENS WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, TURNING CORNERS, COMING TO A STOP, WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP.... THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BARE WIRES ALL OVER THE PLACE. MB REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS, ALTHOUGH I'VE SP…
08/05/2007 · Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING, MY 1991 500SL CONVERTIBLE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ASR LIGHT COMES ON. IF I SHUT DOWN AND RESTART IT GOES AWAY BUT WILL COME RIGHT BACK IF I GOOSE THE GAS AT ALL. THIS HAPPENS A LOT! LOOKS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH 91-96 VARIOUS MODELS WITH THEIR WIRING HARNESSES. *TR
02/07/2007 · Electrical system · fire
TERRIBLE CRACKING OF MAIN WIRE HARNESS!!!!!!*JB