2007 Mercedes Benz Sl550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (4) · Suspension (2) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Sl550 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm):software 2022-03-18 · campaign 22V168000 · 22 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair. This can result in various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions, including stability and traction control.
Risk: Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040003.
Service bulletins (54)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Wheels 2026-05-15 · LI40.10-P-061032 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint noises at the front axle when cornering or maneuvering (video files attached) note: save video files locally and play them with windows media player. cause driving with summer tires in combination with low outside temperatures. at low outside temperatures or in wet conditions, a noise may
Showing the 6 most recent of 54 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-13 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“i purchased this vehicle in a private sale in september 2025. the battery warning light was on and the radio was not working either. i had the vehicle inspected by the mercedes dealer and was told the batteries were being drained because the bcm (battery control module) i was told there was nothing they can do because mercedes discontinued the repl…”
2022-09-12 · Suspension · 97,444 mi“the contact owns a 2007 mercedes-benz sl550. the contact stated while driving 45 mph on a slightly bumpy road, the message "abc system malfunction” was displayed. the vehicle started shuddering significantly and lost traction and stability control. the contact veered to the side of the road. the contact was able to continue driving at slower speeds…”
2018-12-20 · Service Brakes · 75,083 mi“the brakes totally failed with little warning. in mid-october, 2018 driving about 15 mph my brake light came on and then within approximately 5 seconds alarms started sounding and i totally lost all braking power. mercedes of denver repaired. on december 17 same exact thing happened at an even slower speed but this time the loss of brakes was in…”
2018-04-10 · Service Brakes · 77,150 mi“the vehicles brakes stopped working due to the sensotronic brake control unit. i'm told that there is a limited set number of how many iterations you can get out of this part before it stops working.…”
2018-03-30 · Structure:body · 🔥 fire“this vehicle caught fire on its own while parked in a locked garage. the fire was in the trunk and involved various electrical and mechanical components and wiring harnesses. the car filled with dense smoke which coated everything with thick soot. the smoked seeped into everything including the closed console compartment and glove compartment. …”
2018-03-06 · Steering · 42,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2007 mercedes-benz sl550. while driving 35 mph, the contact experienced catastrophic brake failure. the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when depressed. the contact had to coast the vehicle off the road and apply extreme force to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. an emergency warning indicator flashed and various oth…”
2017-10-22 · Electrical System · 19,000 mi“complete failure of the instrument cluster... fuel gauge / odometer / speed / tachometer / turning signals / temperature…”
2016-02-08 · Engine“2007 mercedes benz sl 550. consumer writes in regards to several attempts to reach out to dealerships to repair vehicle engine failure. *smd the spark plugs, valve, engine, transmission mounts and cam plugs on the left cylinder head were all replaced. however, two days later, the vehicle exhibited the same shake as before. as the consumer was d…”
2015-03-04 · Visibility/Wiper · 34,700 mi“frequently and intermittently (not every time) when i start my car's engine, the srs malfunction warning light and "take car to service facility" message display appear on the instrument panel. when the srs warning lights are illuminated, the windshield wipers do not work, irrespective of how the wiper controls are manipulated (one swipe ... interm…”
2015-01-09 · Service Brakes · 60,000 mi“almost exactly one year after dealership "fixed" the same problem, the brakes on the vehicle totally failed while driving. after the initial failure in 2013, i was assured that this problem was fixed. i was very reticent, but drove the care again. however, based on the second total failure of the braking system, the vehicle is worthless. mer…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.