Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Complaints
47 consumer complaints on file.
- #11477377August 3, 2022SERVICE BRAKES
2007 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE FAULT CODES WERE 5611, C26DE, C26BB, AND C25D5. THE CODES WERE CLEARED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DECLINED TO ASSIST UNTIL THE FAILURE RECCURED, LEAVING THE BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445443December 29, 2021STEERING
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442087November 30, 2021ENGINE
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?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11427416August 2, 2021WHEELS
Multiple wheel rims (4) have cracked while driving under normal driving conditions. The last wheel rim crack occurred while on the highway leading to a flat tire upon arriving at destination. The rim was found cracked in two places.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11424029July 9, 2021TIRES
While driving on expressway alert notification displayed that driver side rear tire pressure was low. These are MOE tires so there is no spar tire and should be able to drive at low speed. Car was bought new and had less than 17,000 miles on the tires. Found nearest exit from expressway and drove slowly to nearby service station. Left driver side tire was flat and would not fill with air at service station. Began slowly driving to my home which was about 5 miles away when had to stop again because of tire noise. Pulled off street and found driver side rear tire was significantly damaged.(see photo) Called tow truck and had car towed about a mile to my home since this incident occurred on a US holiday. Nail found in tire. (see photo). Crack also found in passenger side rear tire. ( see photo)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11419160June 1, 2021STEERING
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 diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering assembly needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V899000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11404632March 24, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ SL450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V058000 (COMMUNICATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) THAT STATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED JAMES MOTOR COMPANY MERCEDES-BENZ (2440 RICHMOND RD, LEXINGTON, KY 40502) HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL SINCE THE REMEDY WAS TO BE PERFORMED OVER THE AIR. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE RECALL NOTICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2020 ##
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11403904March 19, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR HAS RECALL OVER MONTH I HAVE BEEN KEEP CALLING MERCEDES BUT EVERY TIME THEY TOLD ME STILL PENDING TAKE FOREVER
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11399230March 5, 2021ENGINE
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11398392March 2, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2017 MERCEDES BENZ SL 550. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PRE SAFE OPTION ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATES THE SAFETY BELTS TIGHTEN RESTRICTING AND DISTRACTING THE DRIVER WHEN IT IS UNNECESSARY TO DO SO. THE FAILURE OCCURS IN ONE PARTICULAR SPOT WHERE TWO METAL PLATES OVERLAP IN THE STREET. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11389567January 23, 2021STEERING
STEERING WHEEL STUCK IN UP POSITION. IT WOULD NOT ADJUST TO THE PRESET UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE. FOUND A FIX ONLINE TURNED OFF THE EASY ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE AND HAD TO SLAP THE WHEEL DOWNWARD TO GET IT UNSTUCK. IF THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION IT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND DRIVING WITH THE WHEEL IN FULL UP POSITION BLOCKS THE INSTRUMENTS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11383389December 14, 2020WHEELS
MY SL400 SEEMED TO HAVE A SLOW LEAK SINCE I BOUGHT IT, PARTICULARLY ON ONE TIRE. FINALLY WHILE OUT FOR A DRIVE THE TIRE DRAMATICALLY LOST TIRE PRESSURE AND IT LED ME TO GET SERVICE, WHERE I FOUND THAT THE RIM WAS CRACKED. I HAD THE RIM REPLACED FOR OVER USD$1000 IN OCTOBER. THEN IN DECEMBER, SAME SYMPTOM, SLOW LEAK, THEN DRAMATIC LOSS OF PRESSURE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND THEY FOUND THE SAME SYMPTOM, CRACKED RIM, AND INSPECTED THE OTHERS AND FOUND ANOTHER. THREE (3) CRACKED RIMS IN LESS THAN 3 MONTHS. I MAY ADD THAT THE CHANGE FROM SLOW LEAK TO DRASTIC LOSS COMES QUICKLY. I AM UNCOMFORTABLE FOR THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER KNEW TO INSPECT THE OTHER WHEELS. EACH OF THESE RIMS COSTS MORE THAN USD$1000, AND THE DEALER TRIES TO PUSH A "TIRE & RIM WARRANTY". THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN LIGHTLY BY ME AND LESS THAN 3000 MILES PER YEAR FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. TO HAVE SUCH DRAMATIC FAILURES LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFICIENCY, AND CAUSE FOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE PUBLIC,
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11374282November 12, 2020WHEELS
REAR WHEELS CRACKED AND NEEDED REPLACING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. ONLY DROVE THE VEHICLE 4,500 MILES WHEN I WAS TOLD AT INSPECTION THAT BOTH REAR WHEELS NEED REPLACING DUE TO CRACKS. THE INSPECTION BEFORE THIS LATEST INSPECTION, ONE OF THE REAR WHEELS CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED. THESE WHEELS ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11341734July 27, 2020ENGINE
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11320598April 8, 2020SERVICE BRAKES
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-APPLIED THE BRAKES SUCCESSFULLY. JUN 2019: ANNUAL SERVICE: STRONG COMPLAINT: DITTO JUN 2018 EXCEPT AS THE BRAKE PEDAL APPROACHED THE FLOOR, THE ENGINE ACCELERATION WAS INCREASING. 12 MAR 2020: ACCIDENT: TIME 0645 AM PST, TRAVELING WEST-BOUND ON A NEAR-STRAIGHTAWAY (SLIGHT 5-DEGREE CURVE TO THE LEFT) AT 40 MPH IN A 50 MPH ZONE ON A 6-LANE ROADWAY, IN FAR-RIGHT LANE WITH 8-CAR-LENGTHS TO THE CAR AHEAD, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS THE CARS AHEAD OF ME SLOWED TO A STOP IN THE RIGHT LANE. I CONTINUED INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES UNTIL THE PEDAL WAS ON THE FLOOR, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SYSTEM NEVER ENGAGED AND AT ABOUT 20-FT TO THE CAR AHEAD, THE ENGINE RPM TOOK OVER DEFEATING THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM RESULTING IN MY CAR ACCELERATING AND SMASHING INTO THE CAR STOPPED AHEAD OF MY CAR. IN HIND-SIGHT, I FOUND OUT THAT M-B OF SAN DIEGO SERVICE DEPT. NEVER PERFORMED A DRIVE-TEST TO CHECK-OUT MY REQUESTS BUT INSTEAD PERFORMED A STANDARD BRAKE-PADS & FLUID-LEVEL CHECK AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME IN AS-IS CONDITION. UNTIL 12 MAR, THIS PROBLEM OF THE BRAKES TRAVELING TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE RPM-INCREASE ENGAGED HAD BEEN UNDER CONTROL, BEING MOST NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS OF 10-12 MPH IN THE COSTCO PARKING LOT THRU-WAYS AT WHICH TIME I HAD AMPLE DISTANCE TO RELEASE THE BRAKES, DISENGAGE THE RPM-INCREASE AND RE-APPLY THE BRAKES. IT APPEARS M-B TOOK MY REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS IN A LESS THAN LITERAL SENSE OR URGENCY.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11204099April 27, 2019STEERING
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 THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE, NO PARTS REPLACED. TODAY, SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING AGAIN. I READ ONLINE THERE IS A RECALL BUT MY VIN DOESN'T SHOW UP AS RECALLED. I CAN'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE NO POWER STEERING BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IT SAYS IT CAN CATCH ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, LEAVING OUR 1/4 MILE DRIVEWAY AND TURNING. I REFUSE TO GO IN AND HAVE THEM DO A COMPUTER RESET AND NOT REPLACE THE PART THAT COULD CATCH ON FIRE, BECAUSES MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THIS IS TWICE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11204106April 27, 2019STEERING
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 LENGTH ON INSTALLATION, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENT UP AND DOWN TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. IT GETS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO EXIT THE CAR, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A BIG PERSON. ALL MY HUSBAND HAD TO DO TO FIX IT WAS READJUST THE LENGTH AND IT WAS FIXED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ARE PAYING FOR NEW PARTS AND INSTALLATIONS AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL PART. UNLESS YOU FIXED IT YOURSELF YOU WOULD NOT KNOW THIS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS I HAD TO PAY FOR A PART $160.65,$140 DIAGNOSIS FEE, AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO TAKE 4 HOURS OF HIS TIME TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. CAR IN ALL STAGES OF MOVEMENT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11204109April 27, 2019WHEELS
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 WE CAREFULLY PUT THEM IN THE BACK OF OUR TRUCK. I TOOK THEM TO ALDERSON MERCEDES IN LUBBOCK. I WATCHED AS MONTE THE SERVICE ADVISER CAREFULLY REMOVED ALL 4 WHEELS. LATER IN THE DAY ALDERSON CALLS AND SAYS THAT THE RIGHT BACK WHEEL HAS A CRACK IN IT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I'M FLABBERGASTED AS I KNEW IT DIDN'T BEFORE I BROUGHT IT. BUT ITS A HE SAID SHE SAID. UPON RESEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR COMPLAINTS OF MERCEDES BENZ WHEELS CRACKING I FOUND A LOT OF THEM, ENOUGH FOR A CLASS ACTION SUIT. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN NEW RUN FLAT TIRES WHICH ARE EXTREMELY TOUGH ARE INSTALLED IT IS SO DIFFICULT THAT THEY CRACK. THIS IS A DEFECT OF THE WHEEL, NOT THE TECHNICIAN. I'M AFRAID THAT IF THEY CRACK THIS EASILY WHEN JUST PUTTING A NEW TIRE ON THEM, THAT THEY WILL CRACK WHILE DRIVING ON THEM. IF THIS HAPPENS THEN THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE STRESS FRACTURE PROPERTIES OF MERCEDES BENZ WHEELS. I THINK THERE IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD ISSUE. I DID NOT DRIVE OVER A POT HOLE, SO I KNOW AS OTHER COMPLAINTANTS KNOW THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11144468October 31, 2018ENGINE
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 ISSUE - THIS IS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE AND MERCEDES SHOULD FIX -- THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME IN AND THEY SAID ENGINE WOULD NOT HAVE STARTED AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED -- IT IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED AT THE DEALER AT MY EXPENSE
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11109568July 4, 2018ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0