Ford Thunderbird vs Mercedes-Benz SL500
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Ford Thunderbird
- Total complaints
- 2,335
- Avg per model year
- 112
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 3
- Most complained year
- 1993 (423)
Top problems: Engine and Engine Cooling, Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System
Mercedes-Benz SL500
- Total complaints
- 165
- Avg per model year
- 20
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 0
- Most complained year
- 2003 (80)
Top problems: Suspension, Electrical System, Service Brakes
Complaints by model year
| Year | Ford Thunderbird | Mercedes-Benz SL500 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 27 | 19 | ||
| 2004 | 34 | 44 | ||
| 2003 | 33 | 80 | ||
| 1998 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 1997 | 169 | 9 | ||
| 1996 | 233 | 6 | ||
| 1995 | 261 | 22 | ||
| 1994 | 300 | 8 | ||
| 1993 | 423 | 6 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.