AI DamageMercedes-Benz SL600: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz SL600 across 8 model years: 17 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 41% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 24% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 12% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 12% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 12% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (41% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 4 complaints (24% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (18% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (12% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 17 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). Sometime ago I wrote you about computer problems in my mercedes benz. You responded that you will investigate it and share the result with me. Have not heard from you since. Anything new?
The safety component that is covered under the SBC warranty is the entire brake master cylinder specifically the part that is bad is the brake pedal position sensor The car is undriveable without it, they have a 25-year warranty on it yet they have no parts and no way to fix it which is obviously unacceptable they've…
Mercedes SL600 BCM has electrical issues leading to a fire it is available for inspection. The car can burn down in a garage putting me and all others in or near the dwelling at risk. Yes the problem has been confirmed independently. No BCM issues lead to red light on dash.
My seatbelt retracted and I saw and smelled smoke coming from the harness area by my right shoulder. Glen merged over as soon as possible and we pulled over on a side road.
The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was catastrophic brake failure and the sbc unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
I was driving my vehicle today when I was told by another vehicle to pull over because smoke was bellowing out under the driver and passenger outside the vehicle. I smelled a rich odor fuel and the idle on the vehicle went haywire. I thought the car was going to catch fire and blow up!
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
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 2026-11-06.