AI Damage1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 17% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 17% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 17% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 17% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Burn smell coming from electrical harness box. Mr the harness box was located in the trunk. The vehicle also had an oil leak.
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.
Car engine would begin vibrating severely and revving even after foot off the accelerator, revving would not stop until vehicle's turned off, problem in transmission.
Single wiper blade has been replaced 3 time in 1 yr. Dealer states there is a problem with blades not lasting.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SL320 has 5 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, equipment. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (33%), won't start (17%), seat belts (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.