Mercedes-Benz SL550 Problems by Year
Mercedes-Benz SL550 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical SL550 year: 2007, 2009, 2013. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2013 SL550: 17 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2007 SL550: 16 complaints, 1 recall
- 2009 SL550: 15 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2003 SL550: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2020 SL550: 1 complaint, 3 recalls
- 2011 SL550: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes-Benz SL550 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 15 | 6 | 1 |
| Wheels | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| Power Train | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Steering | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Tires | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Suspension | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes-Benz SL550 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 SL550 | 1 | 3 | — | Engine | |
| 2019 SL550 | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2018 SL550 | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2017 SL550 | 4 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2016 SL550 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2015 SL550 | 2 | 3 | — | Engine | |
| 2014 SL550 | 4 | 4 | — | Wheels | |
| 2013 SL550 | 17 | 3 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2011 SL550 | 2 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2009 SL550 | 15 | 0 | — | Service Brakes | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2008 SL550 | 4 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2007 SL550 | 16 | 1 | — | Service Brakes | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 SL550 | 1 | 0 | — | Service Brakes |
More from Mercedes-Benz: all Mercedes-Benz models · Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz SL550 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2007 (16), 2009 (15), 2013 (17) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical SL550 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz SL550?
Service Brakes, with 15 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz SL550 have?
12 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.