Most common 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 problems
Share of the 9 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz SL500 complaints by model year
Best SL500 years: 1995, 1998, 1996. Years to avoid: 2003. Compare all years →
1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 recalls (1)
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.
What 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 owners say
Air bags
Vehicle has approx. 209K miles. Sunday 1/19/20 driving wb on montauk highway (nys 27a?) at quogue ny. Speed approx. 35-40 MPH. Slight turn/bend in road to the right. Sunny, dry pavement. No other cars following or ahead, either direction. Very loud bang heard inside cabin, both seatbelts immediately tightened and both driver and passenger felt strong air blast; that each described as being hit in chest. Sound/airblast followed immediately by a burning/gunpowder smell and slight white smoke in cabin. SRS light on dashboard went on. Pulled to side of road and observed no objects in road behind vehicle. Also, no potholes or road defects, only smooth pavement. No damage to front or side of vehicle observed. Passenger side seatbelt retracted but locked. Driver's seatbelt retracted and functioned after incident. Assumed both airbags (driver and passenger ) activated but did not deploy. …
Dt: contact stated while driving a 1997 Mercedes sl-500 it was involved in an accident where the driver, passenger, and side air bags did not deploy. Consumer was driving approximately 15-20 MPH, when the vehicle was struck (t-boned) on the passenger side door. The impact caused the vehicle to hit other vehicles. The consumer was wearing a seat belt. The air bag light was not illuminated before the accident occurred. The vehicle had not been in any previous accidents. There was a recall to have the driver side air bag replaced. The consumer did have this recall service performed. The manufacturer stated the airbags were not intended to deploy in this type of accident.
1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 21 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 a good car?
Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 SL500 rates average: 22% fewer complaints than a typical year of the SL500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500?
The air bags — 4 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about side/window. Next are the body & structure (1) and brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500, the most recent from November 22, 1999 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz SL500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 1998 and 1996. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003. See the full Mercedes-Benz SL500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 130,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.