Model year record

2007 Mercedes-Benz Sl 550 recalls & problems

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sl 550 has 1 safety recall and 16 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (6 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints16filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingMar 18, 2022

Engine › Engine control module (ecu/ecm) › Software

Recall 22V16800022 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair. This can result in various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions, including stability and traction control.
Risk: Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040003.

Components: Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ecu/ecm) › Software; Electronic stability control (esc) › Control module › Software; Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

SL550

16mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5.5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Service brakes	6	0	58,500 mi
Electrical system	3	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	2	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	0	—
Suspension	2	1	—
Air bags	1	0	—
Visibility/wiper	1	0	—
Engine	1	0	—
Steering	1	0	—
StructureBody	1	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical systemFire
I purchased this vehicle in a private sale in September 2025. The battery Warning light was on and the radio was not working either. I had the vehicle inspected by the Mercedes dealer and was told the batteries were being drained because the BCM (Battery Control Module) I was told there was nothing they can do because Mercedes discontinued the replacement parts. So I started to investigate the BCM issue in this model and come to find out when they go bad the vehicles will get on fire, many owners around the world have posted the burned BCM & cars as well. I manage to take my BCM out and opened for inspection and is burned out, I was lucky the car did not catch fire. I have pictures. This…
Oct 7, 2025
Suspension
The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL550. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH on a slightly bumpy road, the message "ABC System Malfunctionâ was displayed. The vehicle started shuddering significantly and lost traction and stability control. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving at slower speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear suspension shocks and ABC system needed to be replaced. The dealer also diagnosed that other unknown repair needed to be completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V168000 (Exterior Lighting, Electronic…
Sep 5, 2022 · 97,444 miles
Service brakes
THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED WITH LITTLE WARNING. IN MID-OCTOBER, 2018 DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS ALARMS STARTED SOUNDING AND I TOTALLY LOST ALL BRAKING POWER. MERCEDES OF DENVER REPAIRED. ON DECEMBER 17 SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED AT AN EVEN SLOWER SPEED BUT THIS TIME THE LOSS OF BRAKES WAS INSTANTANEOUS. VERY CONCERNED WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED.
Dec 17, 2018 · 75,083 miles
Service brakes
THE VEHICLES BRAKES STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL UNIT. I'M TOLD THAT THERE IS A LIMITED SET NUMBER OF HOW MANY ITERATIONS YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS PART BEFORE IT STOPS WORKING.
Apr 6, 2018 · 77,150 miles
Structure › BodyFire
THIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON ITS OWN WHILE PARKED IN A LOCKED GARAGE. THE FIRE WAS IN THE TRUNK AND INVOLVED VARIOUS ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL COMPONENTS AND WIRING HARNESSES. THE CAR FILLED WITH DENSE SMOKE WHICH COATED EVERYTHING WITH THICK SOOT. THE SMOKED SEEPED INTO EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE CLOSED CONSOLE COMPARTMENT AND GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THE FIRE ITSELF DID NOT SPREAD BECAUSE OF A LACK OF OXYGEN AS THE CAR WAS PARKED WITH TOP FOLDING METAL TOP UP AND THE WINDOWS CLOSED. THE FIRE OCCURRED ON FEB. 16, 2018, AND WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CAR WAS NOT ECONOMICALLY REPAIRABLE, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY PROVIDED A SETTLEMENT IN EXCHANGE FOR THE CAR, WHICH, I…
Feb 16, 2018
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN EMERGENCY WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND VARIOUS OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE POWER STEERING BECAME DISABLED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND DISABLED THE ALARM SYSTEM FROM THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF CATONSVILLE, 6631 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, CATONSVILLE, MD 21228, (410)…
Mar 5, 2018 · 42,000 miles
Electrical system
COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER... FUEL GAUGE / ODOMETER / SPEED / TACHOMETER / TURNING SIGNALS / TEMPERATURE
Oct 8, 2017 · 19,000 miles
Engine
2007 MERCEDES BENZ SL 550. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REACH OUT TO DEALERSHIPS TO REPAIR VEHICLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SMD THE SPARK PLUGS, VALVE, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND CAM PLUGS ON THE LEFT CYLINDER HEAD WERE ALL REPLACED. HOWEVER, TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SHAKE AS BEFORE. AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME, THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE AND LOST ALL POWER. SHE LATER DISCOVERED THE ENGINE HAD EXPLODED. THE CONSUMER STATED A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS SENT TO HER HOME REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH SHAFT SPROCKETS AND IDLE GEAR. *JB
Feb 1, 2016

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.