2015 Mercedes-Benz SL 550

Routine

Owners filed 2 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine2
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Communication19V787000
Filed Nov 1, 201924,226 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Risk. An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System16V899000
Filed Dec 14, 201670 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015. The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving.

Risk. If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights16V439000
Filed Jun 15, 2016100 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 SLK300, SLK350, SL400, SL550, and SL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from June 29, 2015, through July 13, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with low-beam headlights that may have been aimed incorrectly during vehicle production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. Improperly adjusted low-beam headlights may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary adjust the headlamps, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Mar 5, 202150,730 milesCA

THE ENGINE HARNESS, ME CONTROL UNIT ANDCAM SENSOR FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK INSIDE ENGINE AND COSTLY REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE ON PREVIOUS YEARS AND MODELS. AT THE TIME THE CAR ONLY HAD 50730 MILES.

Engine
Filed Jul 27, 202050,730 milesCA

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CAM SOLENOID FAILED, WHICH CAUSED OIL TO LEAK TO OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, CONTROL UNIT, SOLENOID, POSITION SENSOR, OXYGEN SENSOR, LAMBDA PROBE AND INJECTORS. CAR WAS JUST AT DEALERSHIP AT THE END OF MARCH/APRIL DUE TO MISFIRE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO MENTION OF DAMAGE OR LEAKAGE. PREMATURE FAILURE ON PART.

2 of 2 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20201300Routine
20190400Routine
20180200Routine
20174100Routine
20160100Routine
2015 — this page2300Routine
20144400Routine
201317300Routine
20112000Routine
200915010Routine
20084000Routine
200716130Routine
20031000Routine

Compare every SL 550 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 1, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.