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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

    Structure complaints

    2 reports
    Clear category filter
    92,000 miles · Jan 17, 2017
    Structure

    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 MERC…

    Read full complaint

    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.

    NHTSA ODI #10945750

    13,892 miles · Mar 6, 2012
    Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

    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 WA…

    Read full complaint

    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

    NHTSA ODI #10450455

    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.