AI Damage2017 Mercedes-Benz SL 550: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 70 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 70
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 25% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 25% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Steering: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Now the car will not start and there's a warning message on the dash saying to get the car to a dealer. The car is now at the Mercedes dealer. Apparently the problem exists on other Mercedes models.
Consumer writes in regard to brake failure. The consumer stated while approaching a stop sign the brakes failed to engage. The vehicle rolled through the stop sign. The vehicle experienced a catastrophic failure of the sensotronic braking control. The vehicle fault codes were 5611, c26de, c26bb, and c25d5.
2017 mercedes benz sl 550. Consumer writes in regards to defective pre safe option on vehicle. The consumer states the safety belts tighten restricting and distracting the driver when it is unnecessary to do so. The failure occurs in one particular spot where two metal plates overlap in the street.
Steering wheel stuck in up position. It would not adjust to the preset upon entering the vehicle. Found a fix online turned off the easy entry/exit feature and had to slap the wheel downward to get it unstuck.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SL 550 has 5 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 4, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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…
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic…
Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and…
- 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 vibration…
- Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected
This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. It may be mistaken for a harsh shift. Cause…
- Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic…
Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective…
- Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same…
Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR Rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering…
- Complaint This document is intended as a pre-case diagnostic reference for transmission related concerns
It will also ensure that if a case is necessary, all supporting documentation is available. This should not be used on its own as justification for creating a TIPS case. Cause The root cause will vary depending on the…
- Complaint Mercedes-Benz USA is currently experiencing limited availability of transmission fluid…
Complaint Mercedes-Benz USA is currently experiencing limited availability of transmission fluid specification ATF 236.17 due to a global supply constraint. 236.17 ATF 1L and 5L (PNs: A002989060312 and A002989060313)…
- 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 nut (by 1 turn), the…
- Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering…
Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/…
- Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD…
Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following…
- Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed,…
Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than…
NHTSA lists 70 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL 550?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, steering. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (50%), brake failure (25%), won't start (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL 550?
NHTSA lists 70 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
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.