2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes630.0%
- Tires & wheels525.0%
- Other / unspecified420.0%
- Electrical315.0%
- Body & structure210.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Complete brake failure while driving. No one was injured but the vehicle could not be stopped until the transmission went into limp mode with still no brakes. Now the ABS and SRS lights on. Brake pedal to the floor. I completely have new brakes speed sensors fluid exchanges and more. The current recall doesn’t seem to cover my vehicle. I contacted the dealership and they said there are no open recalls.
[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] VIN # [XXX] SL550 2009 Since I bought this car 3 years ago the first day I am using it I got the problem say Reduced Braking Power, Depress Brake Pedal fully. I thought only when the weather is cold but now after 15 minutes minutes I am running on the road losing brake it is scary not only one time its always every 30 minutes now . I am stop using for a while . I try to bring in dealer for diagnose last 2 years ago they cant find the problem even my person mechanic. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE FAILURE--BULGING/RIM DAMAGE ;REPLACING THIRD SET OF TIRES AT 8500 MILES. *TR
PREPARING TO PUT A THIRD SET OF TIRES ON MY MERCEDES BENZ SL550 @8500 MILES. ALREADY REPAIRED 2 RIMS.?! NO WARRANTY. 3 TIRES HAVE BUBBLES ON THEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE FAILURE--BULGING/RIM DAMAGE ;REPLACING THIRD SET OF TIRES AT 8500 MILES. *TR
PREPARING TO PUT A THIRD SET OF TIRES ON MY MERCEDES BENZ SL550 @8500 MILES. ALREADY REPAIRED 2 RIMS.?! NO WARRANTY. 3 TIRES HAVE BUBBLES ON THEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'm reporting a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE affecting all Mercedes-Benz R230 series SL roadsters, model years 2003–2012, of which approximately 85,000 were sold in the United States: • There are numerous reports on R230 SL owners' online forums that an electrical device located in the trunk of these vehicles known as the BCM [Battery Control Module] is prone to CATASTROPHIC FAILURE and melt-down. • The failed BCM can subsequently CATCH FIRE – potentially destroying the vehicle and endangering lives and property nearby. See photos attached from one SL owner's experience. • MBUSA, its dealers, many SL owners, independent service centers and salvage yards are aware of this problem: multiple reports detailing it can easily be found on the Internet. Possible modifications to alleviate the danger have been affected by some SL owners, one picture of which has been uploaded here. • Mercedes-Benz is surely aware of the issue but has not recalled nor issued TSBs associated with this serious problem, nor has MBUSA acknowledged that vehicles modifications to alleviate the risk of failure and subsequent fires have been developed by owners and mechanics. • No symptoms are known to appear prior to melt-down, other than odors and/or smoke emanating from the SL's trunk. By then, it is TOO LATE. I respectfully request NHTSA open an investigation into this issue and require Mercedes-Benz address it by affecting modification or replacements of the faulty BCM system components in R230 vehicles.
This particular model 2009 Mercedes SL 550 hardtop convertible 5.5 liter motor has two batteries and accessory battery that battery that’s located in the trunk in the main starting battery that’s on the firewall. These batteries are both new in OEM recommended. If the car sits for 24 hours, it will not start. The electrical system is completely drained. There are many forms describing the same issue but yet the SL model is not included in a civil lawsuit. Mercedes-Benz definitely knows they have an issue in somehow it needs to be rectified.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR WAS PARKED AND I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AS I WAS SEATED IN DRIVER'S SEAT AND I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM HAS FAILED SUCH THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR WHICH PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. DESPITE BEING COVERED BY AN EXTENDED A MERCEDES CPO WARRANTY MERCEDES REFUSES TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE ACROSS MANY MERCEDES MODELS INCLUDING THE R230 SL550. PART OF THE DOOR HANDLE ACTUATION MECHANISM IS MADE OF FRAGILE PLASTIC AND, OR NYLON THAT WEARS PREMATURELY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ SL550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BETWEEN 12/27/11 AND 12/28/11. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,892 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 15,000. UPDATED 03/28/12*LJ UPDATED 04/09/12 THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE FRONT GRILL, BUMPER AND RETRACTABLE ROOF WERE REPLACED. UPDATED EVOQ 04/10/12 UPDATED EVOQ 05/08/12
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .