AI DamageMercedes-Benz SL 450: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz SL 450 across 4 model years: 2 owner complaints and 87 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 50% of all complaints
- 2 Communication 50% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 67.
- Communication: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 67 |
| Communication | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 88 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 49 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 mercedes-benz sl450. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v058000 (communication, electrical system) that stated that the remedy was available.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Communication. Infotainment, telematics, antennas after body repair.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic…
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
- Complaint Noises in the steering column area when steering. See example file in the attachments area
- Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic…
- Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same…
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint This document is intended as a pre-case diagnostic reference for transmission related concerns
- Complaint Mercedes-Benz USA is currently experiencing limited availability of transmission fluid…
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.