Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Inaccurate Vehicle Location for Emergency Services
- Summary
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
- Consequence
- An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
- Summary
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015. The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving.
- Consequence
- If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Occupant Classification System (OCS)/Side Air Bag
- Summary
- Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2013 SL63, SL550, and SL65 vehicles manufactured January 16, 2013, through April 30, 2013. The affected vehicles are equipped with an occupant classification system (OCS) that may not detect a very light person sitting in the front passenger seat.
- Consequence
- If the OCS does not detect a very light person sitting in the seat, the passenger side air bag would be turned off. In the event of a crash necessitating side air bag deployment, the passenger would be at an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side seat cushion including the OCS. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-201-573-0600.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (17)
17 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The steering is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 5 | 29.4% |
| Engine | 4 | 23.5% |
| Power train | 4 | 23.5% |
| Wheels | 3 | 17.6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 11.8% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 5.9% |
| Suspension | 1 | 5.9% |
How 2013 compares with other SL550 years
Best and worst SL550 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 16 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 | 0 |
| 2009 | 15 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 17 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,100
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 448 g/mi
- EPA class
- Two Seaters
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 L 8-cyl · 7-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 448 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2013 SL550 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 19V787000 (communication), 16V899000 (steering), 13V542000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 problems?
Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. Steering (5), Engine (4), Power train (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 get?
EPA rates the 4.7 L 8-cyl · 7-speed automatic version at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg.
How does the 2013 SL550 compare with other years?
Among the 2003–2020 Mercedes-Benz SL550 model years at least five years old, the 2003 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2013 the most (17). The 2013 drew 17. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.