1997 Mercedes-Benz SL Class Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL Class, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL Class
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Air bags: frontal
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL Class have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“False deployment of passenger side AIRBAG while vehicle was parked. Nlm”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 15, 2000 · Air bags
“During vehicle collision seat belts did not restrain properly (better harness control) and no deployment of air bags. Mjs”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 16, 1999 · Seat belts
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (SL320, SL500, SL600). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 14–18 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 12–16 / 19–22 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 6/8/12 cyl, 3.2/5/6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
Compare Mercedes-Benz SL Class model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz SL Class model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 2 | 2 |
| 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 1 | 2 |
| 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 0 | 12 |
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 3 | 9 |
| 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 3 | 3 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Class | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL Class
How do I know if my 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL Class has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL Class; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 99V327000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
- C3003,469 complaints
- E3502,170 complaints
- E3201,164 complaints
- ML350952 complaints
- GLK350904 complaints
- ML320742 complaints
- C250726 complaints
- C230657 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.