1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
3crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
EQUIPMENT
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
1
1crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
1
Total complaints13

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“1986 mercedes benz 560sl. The driver side sun visor broke and fail to my face while I was driving, almost causing an accident. This is a very common problem to 560sl owner. This is due to the worn out / defect of the plastic holder that hold the visor. *tr”

EQUIPMENT · reported 2010-11-24

“1986 mercedes benz 560sl. The driver side sun visor broke and fail to my face while I was driving, almost causing an accident. This is a very common problem to 560sl owner. This is due to the worn out / defect of the plastic holder that hold the visor. *tr”

VISIBILITY · reported 2010-11-24

“Consumer started the vehicle, placed it into drive and vehicle went forward. Consumer could not stop the vehicle after applying the brakes, and it crashed into a pole and another vehicle. Consumer's vehicle was totaled.*ak the vehicle was totaled.”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · reported 2005-01-22

“Brakes were squeaking and front end vibrated. All of the flex discs were cracked, and brakes were warped. Also, back up lights were inoperable, and ball joints tore. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC · reported 2001-11-12

“Brakes were squeaking and front end vibrated. All of the flex discs were cracked, and brakes were warped. Also, back up lights were inoperable, and ball joints tore. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak”

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM · reported 2001-11-12

“Brakes were squeaking and front end vibrated. All of the flex discs were cracked, and brakes were warped. Also, back up lights were inoperable, and ball joints tore. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS · reported 2001-11-12

“Ea88034; while in reverse vehicle suddenly accelerated at high speed. Occupant applied the brakes, but they did not work, causing a crash and injuries. Please provide further information.”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 1999-06-21

“Ea88034; while in reverse vehicle suddenly accelerated at high speed. Occupant applied the brakes, but they did not work, causing a crash and injuries. Please provide further information.”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS · reported 1999-06-21

Defect investigations

Investigation EA88034 Opened 1988-07-15 · closed 1990-07-31

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY PETITIONED NHTSA TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTOSUDDEN ACCELERATION ON VARIOUS MERCEDES-BENZ MODELS.THE PETITION WASGRANTED WITH RESPECT TO THE 1986-1987 300E MODEL AND ENGINEERING ANALYSISEA88-003 WAS OPENED COVERING JUST THE 1986 AND 1987 300 E VEHICLES.SUBSEQUENTLY, CFAS REPETITIONED NHTSA…

Investigation PE88032 Opened 1988-03-10 · closed 1988-05-02

ABS FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.