2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
50,730 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 2 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 50.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2 |
Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11341734 · 2020-07-27 (July 27, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 11341734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399230 · 2021-03-05 (March 5, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399230 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V439000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2016-06-15 (June 15, 2016)
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."
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V899000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2016-12-14 (December 14, 2016)
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V787000 · Communication
Reported: 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)
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
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 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
NHTSA campaign record ↗