Is the Mercedes-Benz SL Reliable?
1990–2022 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Mercedes-Benz SL? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Mercedes-Benz SL Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | — | — | — | Not enough data | |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — | Not enough data | |
| 2020 | 3 | 5 | 3 | — | 79 | Good |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 85 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 89 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 94 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 94 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 88 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 82 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 3 | 12 | — | — | 73 | Good |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the SL Compares to Similar Vehicles
The SL scores 19 points above the average sports — a strong result.
Known Mercedes-Benz SL Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 25 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz SL reliable?+
The Mercedes-Benz SL scores 86/100 on our reliability index — rated "Excellent." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 18 recall campaigns and 25 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year SL is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2017 SL achieved the highest reliability score of 94/100 with 1 recall and 1 complaints.
How many miles does a SL last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Mercedes-Benz SL owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used SL will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Mercedes-Benz SL Research
Check a Specific Mercedes-Benz SL VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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