1993 Mercedes Benz Sl Series 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. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
What could happen: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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 1993 SL SERIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09E012000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-909-598-7589.
- 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: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT. THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 1993 Mercedes Benz Sl Series owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (2), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Engine (1), Wheels / tires (1), Airbags (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
12/10/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR, WIRING HARNESS AND ECU. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROX…
12/01/2006 · Engine
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF THE TIME, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFA…
09/13/2005 · Electrical system
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON 1993 MERCEDES 500 SEL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING CRUMBLED OFF. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT CONSUMER'S COST. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
05/04/2005 · Wheels / tires
CONTACT STATES: THE TIRES ARE EGG SHAPED NOT ROUND. THERE IS NO WAY TO ALIGN THE TIRES. THE METAL CORDS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE 1 YEAR OLD. THE TIRES CAN NOT BE BALANCED... THE TIRES WERE STORED DURING THE WINTER, AND THERE WAS NO USE WITH THESE TIRE DURING THIS TIME. THE TIRE ACTUALLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS WEAR ON THEM, AND THEY WERE EXPENSIVE. T…
04/09/1997 · Airbags
OWNER WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE AIR BAG IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE (600 SL) WHEN YOUNG CHILD IS RIDING UP IN THE FRONT. POSSIBILITY OF VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT.