RecallMyCar

Mercedes-Benz SL Class Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints across 10 model years of the Mercedes-Benz SL Class (1996–2013). The most-complained-about year is 1998.

7
safety recalls, all years
31
owner complaints, all years
2003
year with most recalls
1998
year with most complaints

Pick your Mercedes-Benz SL Class model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Class10
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class10
2006 Mercedes-Benz SL Class10
2005 Mercedes-Benz SL Class12
2004 Mercedes-Benz SL Class33
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL Class39
2002 Mercedes-Benz SL Class01
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL Class012
1997 Mercedes-Benz SL Class12
1996 Mercedes-Benz SL Class22

What Mercedes-Benz SL Class owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The 1998 model year has the most, with 12.

All Mercedes-Benz SL Class recalls (7)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Mercedes-Benz SL Class, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 12V478000 Reported 432 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2013 SL-Class vehicles manufactured from December 19, 2011, through May 31, 2012 originally equipped with R1234yf refrigerant. Daimler AG (DAG), the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, conducted product testing of a vehicle, not sold in the US, but equipped with the same refrigerant. According…

    Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the R1234yf refrigerant with R134a along with new refrigerant lines (hoses) designed specifically for R134a. The remedy will be provided free of charge. The…

    Model years: 2013

  2. Electrical system

    NHTSA 08V303000 Reported 404 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number…

    Remedy: Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009

  3. Service brakes, hydraulic

    NHTSA 05V133000 Reported 204,000 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a bracket and replacement ground wire to the sbc pump unit on all vehicles free of charge. Additionally dealers will inspect and replace the sbc pump unit in sl vehicles produced during a limited…

    Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005

  4. Service brakes, hydraulic

    NHTSA 04V296000 Reported 143,387 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. If an unacceptable pressure gradient is detected, the system will switch, as it is designed to do, into the hydraulic function mode.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sbc hydraulic unit, replacing it if necessary. The recall began on october 21m 2004. Owners should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Model years: 2003, 2004

  5. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 99V327000 Reported 4,402 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Corrosion of the electrical ignition filament of the air bag gas generator module can occur if the vehicle is operated in areas of frequently high humidity.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module.

    Model years: 1997

  6. Visibility

    NHTSA 96V175000 Reported 28,874 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

    If one of the headlamp wiper arms becomes misaligned, the wiper balde can lodge in the groove under the headlamp. If the washers are activated with the wiper blade in the misaligned and lodged position, the washer pump will run continuously expelling all available fluid.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the headlamp washer pump on these vehicles.

    Model years: 1996

  7. Engine (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 96V058000 Reported 149 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

    The drive belt pulley on the engine can develop fatigue cracks in the metal and break. If the drive pulley breaks, the car would not have engine cooling, battery charging, and/or power steering.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine crankshaft damper-pulley on these vehicles.

    Model years: 1996

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.