2008 Mercedes Benz Sl550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (1) · Service Brakes (1) · Seats (1)
🧭 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 (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (52)
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 52 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-12-05 · Service Brakes · 57,000 mi“while driving at 50mph, audible and visual warnings of brake failure. no braking available other than transmission downshift for engine braking.…”
2014-02-27 · Steering · 66,550 mi“the subject car, a 2008 mercdes benz sl550, that has never been in an accident and is stored in a garage. the car was started and driven out of the garage on to the street, approximately 50 yards later while driving about 20 mph, the brakes 100% failed and the power assisted steering stop working. after coasting to a stop and placing the car in pa…”
2011-09-15 · Seats · 24,000 mi“driver placed a purse behind the front seat of the vehicle. the vehicle has power seats which operate on a motor. the strap from the purse apparently came in contact with the seat in motion causing smoldering and eventually the seat motor to burn itself out. a fire was avoided due to a fuse causing the motor to stop however the motor while it wa…”
2011-07-22 · Engine And Engine Cooling“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz sl550. the contact was driving approximately 40 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle would not restart and was towed to an authorized dealer where the computer system was repaired. approximately two years later, the recurred whether the vehicle was in motion or stopped. during the recur…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.