2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550
3 recalls — 20 complaints
19V787000
Nov 1, 2019
COMMUNICATION
Defect Description
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... Read more
Consequence
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 1-80... Read more
16V899000
Dec 14, 2016
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Defect Description
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 a... Read more
Consequence
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.
13V542000
Nov 1, 2013
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Defect Description
Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2013 SL63, SL550, and SL65 vehicles manufactured January 16, 2013, through April 30, 2013. The affected vehicles are equipped with an occupant classification system (OCS) that may not detect a very light person sitting in the front passenger ... Read more
Consequence
If the OCS does not detect a very light person sitting in the seat, the passenger side air bag would be turned off. In the event of a crash necessitating side air bag deployment, the passenger would be at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy
Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side seat cushion including the OCS. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-201-573-0600.
Complaint Statistics
20 total complaints
1 crashes
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| WHEELS | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
ENGINE
Mar 28, 2025
Incident date: Feb 6, 2025
I was driving on a country road when all of a sudden my car lost power all the warning lights camo on the dashboard. Smoke started billowing out from the back and front of the car. It turned off and I only coasted about a 100 feet. I could not safely pull off to the side of the road as the car had n... Read more
STEERING
Dec 9, 2024
Incident date: Dec 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the steering rack needed to be re... Read more
SUSPENSION
Jun 7, 2024
Incident date: Apr 22, 2024
The rear subframe experienced excessive levels of rust which caused the rear left side to suddenly collapse. After the collapse, the car would fish tail at low speeds (i.e., less than 15 miles per hour). I am thankful that the collapse did not happen when traveling at higher speeds such as an expres... Read more
POWER TRAIN
Apr 12, 2024
Incident date: Apr 2, 2024
Started the vehicle and used the gear selector to shift to Drive. Car did not go into gear. Towed to dealer. Dealer found faulty “ism module.” Apparently a very common issue with these cars. So common that the part is in an “indefinite back order.” The replacement part is also revised becau... Read more
STEERING
Dec 29, 2021
Incident date: Dec 24, 2021
Our power steering went out all of a sudden. We took this to our mechanic who said it was a recall for the power steering. Fletcher Jones Mercedes' looked at the vehicle did a computer update recall and said the power steering is not covered. The car is very unsafe and we need this fixed.
ENGINE
Nov 30, 2021
Incident date: Nov 15, 2021
Cam sensor seals failed which leaked oil into the wire harness, O2 sensors, and ECM. This happens to be a common problem with M278 engine. The repair was $10,217 to fix this issue. The car would not pass emissions without this repair. Could oil into the electrical system pose a fire hazzard?
STEERING
Jun 1, 2021
Incident date: May 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced at a tire shop, he was informed that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagn... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES
Apr 8, 2020
Incident date: Mar 12, 2020
JUN 2017: ANNUAL SERVICE. ASK TO HAVE BRAKES CHECKED BECAUSE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TRAVELLING DOWN TO THE FLOOR. JUN 2018: ANNUAL SERVICE. COMPLAINT: BRAKE PEDAL WOULD HIT THE FLOOR AND AS IT TRAVELED DOWN FURTHER, THE ENGINE ACCELERATION TICKED-UP, AT WHICH TIME I RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RE-AP... Read more
Crash
STEERING
Apr 27, 2019
Incident date: Mar 25, 2019
MY CAR HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE STEERING MECHANISM QUIT WORKING UP AND DOWN. IT TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE FORM OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PART. PART NO. 231 460 02 31. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AT THE FACTORY. THE TECHNICIAN OVER SHOT THE ADJUSTMENT LENGT... Read more
WHEELS
Apr 27, 2019
Incident date: Mar 22, 2019
AUTO MOVING AND NOT MOVING. MY HUSBAND IS OCD AND VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT OUR VEHICLES. I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON A RUN FLAT AND DAMAGED MY LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE BACK WHEEL. WE DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES AND THAT WHEEL. MY SPOUSE REMOVED ALL 4 WHEELS FROM VEHICLE, CLEANED AND INSPECTED EACH WHEEL AND ... Read more
STEERING
Apr 27, 2019
Incident date: Apr 27, 2019
MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 12/12. I TOOK MY CAR IN LAST YEAR BECAUSE SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING ON ME. MY HUSBAND MAN-HANDLED THE STEERING AND DROVE IT 70 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN LUBBOCK, TX. THEY SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER ERROR AND HOOKED UP A DEVICE AND SAID THEY UPDATED TH... Read more
ENGINE
Oct 31, 2018
Incident date: Oct 22, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAS A CAM SEAL LEAK THAT LEAKED OIL INTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND WIRING HARNESS AND OTHER COMPONENTS NEED TO BE REPLACED -- THE BILL IS $10,800 --- THIS CAM SEAL WAS A RECALL ISSUE FOR THE C CLASS AND FROM WHAT I READ SEEMS TO BE THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUE --- NOT AN ORDINARY WEAR AND TEAR... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 4, 2018
Incident date: Jul 4, 2018
THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN IN HIGHWAY GOES TO LIMP MODE FOR EXAMPLE FROM 69 TO 35 MILES IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAVE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY
POWER TRAIN
Jul 4, 2018
Incident date: Jul 4, 2018
THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN IN HIGHWAY GOES TO LIMP MODE FOR EXAMPLE FROM 69 TO 35 MILES IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAVE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY
ENGINE
Jul 4, 2018
Incident date: Jul 4, 2018
THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN IN HIGHWAY GOES TO LIMP MODE FOR EXAMPLE FROM 69 TO 35 MILES IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAVE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY
POWER TRAIN
Sep 4, 2017
Incident date: Aug 26, 2017
TRAVELING ON I-5 IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC 0- 60 MPH WHEN TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ROUGHLY. IT THEN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO SHIFTER INPUTS. I WAS IN THE SECOND LANE FROM THE RIGHT DOING 10 OR 15 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO FORCE MY WAY INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND OFF TO THE SHOULDER. I PUT ... Read more
WHEELS
Apr 30, 2017
Incident date: Apr 25, 2017
TIRE WAS LOSING 1-2 POUNDS OF AIR A DAY. TOOK TO COSTCO TO FIX WHAT I BELIEVED WAS A TIRE LEAK. UPON EXAM COSTCO FOUND THAT WHEEL HAD A CRACK IN IT THAT WAS CAUSING PROBLEM AND TOLD ME THAT THEY SEE SEVERAL OF THESE CRACKS EACH YEAR ON MERCEDES. I THEN TOOK CAR TO MERCEDES DEALER AND BOUGHT A NE... Read more
WHEELS
Aug 20, 2015
Incident date: Aug 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SL550. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE NEEDED AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ... Read more
POWER TRAIN
Jan 2, 2014
Incident date: Apr 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SL550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE PADDLE SHIFTERS WERE OPERATED AND THE CONNECTOR PLATE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHIL... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jan 2, 2014
Incident date: Apr 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SL550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE PADDLE SHIFTERS WERE OPERATED AND THE CONNECTOR PLATE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHIL... Read more
EPA Fuel Economy — 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 17.0 | 25.0 | 20.0 | Premium | $3,450 |
CO2 Emissions: 448.0 g/mile (Two Seaters)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 — All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 across all model years (2013–2017).
98
Total Recalls
34
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
4
Reported Crashes
0
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths