1996 Mercedes Benz SL500

Defect. CERTAIN ZF TRADING NORTH AMERICA AFTERMARKET WHEEL BEARING KITS, LEMFOERDER P/N 1402301, SOLD FOR INSTALLATION ON 1992-2001 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 (R129) VEHICLES AFTER APRIL 1, 2005. THE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS USED IN THE WHEEL BEARING KIT MAY BE DEFECTIVE, SHEAR OFF AND BREAK. IF BOTH CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS BREAK, THE BRAKE CALIPER MAY BECOME UNFIXED AND, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKED, THE BRAKE ROTOR COULD DRAG THE CALIPER, CAUSING THE BRAKE HOSE TO RUPTURE AND THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION TO BE DAMAGED.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF A PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. ZF TRADING WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND REPAIR THE WHEEL BEARING KITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 27, 2006.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE HARNESS MELTED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 07/01/15.*JB

1996 MERCEDES BENZ SL 500 ENGINE STALL WHEN DRIVE ON HIGHWAY DUE TO FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR, THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR. *AK THE FAULTY DEVICE WAS DUE TO A TRANSISTOR THAT HAD GONE BAD ON THE ELECTRIC BOARD ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAVIEW MIRROR. *SC *JB

SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED A CRASH INTO THE REAR WALL OF MY GARAGE.*AK

FUEL LINE LEAKAGE AT FUEL PUMP-SECOND OCCURANCE. DT

PUMPS RUNS OUT OF WATER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER KEEPS GOING ON HEADLAMPS. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK