1998 Mercedes-Benz SL Class Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL Class, and owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL Class. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL Class have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 25,095 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 8 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Purchased new michelin sport tires DOT gudl 275/35 zr 18 on11/3/2010 and found out that the manufacturing date was 1107. These tires were over 3 years old and should have not been sold as new. The tir”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 8, 2010 · Tires
“Purchased 1998 mercedes benz sl 600 from mbz san francisco dealership on 4/22/09. Immediately reported excessive and dangerous bouncing of front end. Reported defect dealer took no action. Took car to”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 29, 2009 · Suspension
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (SL500, SL600). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 14–17 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 12–14 / 18–21 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 8/12 cyl, 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 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL Class
How do I know if my 1998 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.
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.
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.