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Mercedes-Benz SL550Model year report

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
8,580miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550. The part named most often is brakes, with 6 complaints (40% of the total), followed by tires (5) and wheels (4). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,580 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 58 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “Complete brake failure while driving. No one was injured but the vehicle could not be stopped until the transmission went into limp mode with still no brakes. Now the ABS and SRS lights on. Brake pedal to the floor. I completely have new brakes speed sensors fluid exchanges and more. The current recall doesn’t seem to cover my vehicle. I contacted the dealership and they said there are no open recalls.”

NHTSA complaint #11642407, filed 2025-02

Tires: “At 2595 miles,I needed to replace 3 tires and repair 2 rims on my 2009 mercedes benz SL550;at 7400 miles,another tire with a bulge;at 8000 miles,3 more tires with bubbles...awaiting my service appointment;afaid to drive and apprehensive to call the insurance company for fear of losing coverage.thousands of dollars out-no tire warranty and the dealer service department tells me it is me! My car is just two years old and has less than 8500 miles on it.I have been driving this make/model for 23 years with no prior incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #10389952, filed 2011-03, 2,595 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz SL550. While trying to exit the vehicle, the door handle fractured and all of the doors automatically locked preventing the contact from exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the computer's theft system engaged once the door handle fractured and needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10700587, filed 2015-03, 60,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

75% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,500 and 13,892 miles.

63%0–1013%10–250%25–5013%50–7513%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 8,580 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20102011201220152017202252025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
SL550 RWD5.5L 8-cyl7-speed automatic132116$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 58 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 58 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SL550

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20131731,0003—20—Stable
2009158,5800—16—Falling
20071642,0001—16—Stable

All Mercedes-Benz SL550 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 6 complaints (40% of the total), followed by tires with 5.

Has the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 (SL550, 5.5L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 13 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,580 miles and the middle half falls between 7,500 and 13,892 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.