CarRecallWatchThe 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 has 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 crash.
The most-reported problem area is Steering (5 reports).
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 recalls
Emergency call system may send wrong date, time, or location
A software fault in the emergency call system (eCall) can cause the date and time recorded for the system to differ from the actual date and time.
Steering assist may cut out; fire risk when parked
A steering control unit in these vehicles may have improperly soldered contacts that can lose connection.
Most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 problems
Problem areas named in the 17 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Steering | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
What owners report
I was driving on a country road when all of a sudden my car lost power all the warning lights camo on the dashboard. Smoke started billowing out from the back and front of the car. It turned off and I only coasted about a 100 feet. I could not safely pull off to the side of the road as the car had no power. Thankfully the road was not very busy and the tow truck collected the vehicle. Upon further inspection I saw a lot of oil on the road and the mechanics were able to confirm that the engine block was cracked and there were 2 large holes. Upon further research I was able to find a lot of similar cases with this specific M278 Mercedes engine and premature failures that happen because of bad
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V899000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The rear subframe experienced excessive levels of rust which caused the rear left side to suddenly collapse. After the collapse, the car would fish tail at low speeds (i.e., less than 15 miles per hour). I am thankful that the collapse did not happen when traveling at higher speeds such as an expressway, which would have certainly caused an accident. The Mercedes Benz dealer refused to cover the cost of the work to replace/repair the subframe. The dealer stated that they would cover the cost under an âextended warrantyâ if the car was manufactured for the US, but, as I found out, the car was made for Canada based on the VIN #. This is the case even though the subframe in this model had
Started the vehicle and used the gear selector to shift to Drive. Car did not go into gear. Towed to dealer. Dealer found faulty âism module.â Apparently a very common issue with these cars. So common that the part is in an âindefinite back order.â The replacement part is also revised because Mercedes knows there was a manufacturer defect with the existing part. I am being charged more than $1600 on a part that the manufacturer has already acknowledged was faulty and created a replacement for it.
Our power steering went out all of a sudden. We took this to our mechanic who said it was a recall for the power steering. Fletcher Jones Mercedes' looked at the vehicle did a computer update recall and said the power steering is not covered. The car is very unsafe and we need this fixed.
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 questions
Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 550: Emergency call system may send wrong date, time, or location; Steering assist may cut out; fire risk when parked; Air Bags:Side/Window. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 550?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Steering (5), Power Train (4), Engine (4).
How do I check if a recall on my 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.