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1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

1 safety recall lists the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320, and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

1
safety recall
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owner complaints to NHTSA
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complaints citing a crash / fire

1 safety recall for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 99V327000 Reported 4,402 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

    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.

6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 150,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 2 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 9, 2019 · Seat belts

“While parked in a garage the consumer attempted to use the keyless entry remote but it did not unlock the vehicle. The consumer then tried to start the vehicle but it would not start. The consumer the”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 22, 2003 · Electrical system

Compare Mercedes-Benz SL320 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz SL320 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1994 Mercedes-Benz SL32002
1995 Mercedes-Benz SL320016
1996 Mercedes-Benz SL32004
1997 Mercedes-Benz SL32016
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL32003
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL32002
2000 Mercedes-Benz SL32001

Checking a specific 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320

How do I know if my 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 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 SL320; 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

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.