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2009 Mercedes Benz SL550

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
15Owner complaints

Model-year median: 9.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2009 Mercedes Benz SL550

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 15 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Service Brakes: 5 reports
  • Tires: 5 reports
  • Wheels: 4 reports
  • Electrical System: 3 reports
  • Structure: 2 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    16
    2007    4
    2008    15
    2009
    Compare all SL550 years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Service Brakes
    5    Tires
    5    Wheels
    4    Electrical System
    3    Structure
    2
    All reported categories
    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    Limited mileage data: 8 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

    NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

    What to inspect

    Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

    • Service Brakes. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Tires. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Wheels. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

    Service Brakes complaints

    5 reports
    Clear category filter
    Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2025
    Service Brakes

    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 v…

    Read full complaint

    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.

    NHTSA ODI #11642407

    Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2022
    Service Brakes

    [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 alway…

    Read full complaint

    [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).

    NHTSA ODI #11468670

    Mileage unknown · May 16, 2022
    Service Brakes

    I bought the almost 3 years now since I bought it I seen and message on the dash board Reduced Braking Power Depress Brake Pedal fully . I search on the website most the Mercedez Benz has same problem but when check my Vin number I saw no issue on my SL550 2009. I almost depress on my car ill spend a lot of money and its dan…

    Read full complaint

    I bought the almost 3 years now since I bought it I seen and message on the dash board Reduced Braking Power Depress Brake Pedal fully . I search on the website most the Mercedez Benz has same problem but when check my Vin number I saw no issue on my SL550 2009. I almost depress on my car ill spend a lot of money and its dangerous to used it I went to a dealer 2 years ago for but on their diagnose they don saw anything about this issue. Before its happen only when the weather is cold and car cold too but now while you on the road keep losing brake

    NHTSA ODI #11464873

    Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2022
    Service Brakes

    Catastrophic brake failure. No brakes at all.

    NHTSA ODI #11455546

    Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2022
    Service Brakes

    The brake handle popped off for parking brake

    NHTSA ODI #11455468

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.