general problems of the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL500

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.

While driving, the consumer smelled a burning odor, then smoke started coming from the interior rearview mirror. The faulty device was due to a transistor that had gone bad on the electric board on the inside of the reaview mirror.