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2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550, most recently filed November 2019. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2015 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 ↗
Listed for 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V787000 Filed Nov 1, 2019

Inaccurate Vehicle Location for Emergency Services

Communication
Official NHTSA text
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.
78.4% repairedof 24,226 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V787000
Listed for 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V899000 Filed Dec 14, 2016

Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist

Steering · electric power assist system
Official NHTSA text
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.
82.9% repairedof 70 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V899000
Listed for 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V439000 Filed Jun 15, 2016

Low-Beam Headlights Adjusted Incorrectly/FMVSS 108

Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 SLK300, SLK350, SL400, SL550, and SL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from June 29, 2015, through July 13, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with low-beam headlights that may have been aimed incorrectly during vehicle production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence
Improperly adjusted low-beam headlights may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary adjust the headlamps, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
91% repairedof 100 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V439000

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 (2)

2 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550, by component (top 1). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 2.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2015 compares with other SL550 years

Best and worst SL550 years →
1 16 4 15 2 17 4 2 4 1
2003200720082009201120132014201520172020
This year (2015)Other yearsStill collecting reports

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

20
mpg combined
18
city
24
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,100
CO₂ tailpipe
442 g/mi
EPA class
Two Seaters

What it costs you to run

$3,266per year
$272per month
750gallons a year

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

2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4.7 L 8-cyl · 7-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$4,100442

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2015 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.

All SL550 years

Where to next

2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550 have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 19V787000 (communication), 16V899000 (steering), 16V439000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550 problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550 get?

EPA rates the 4.7 L 8-cyl · 7-speed automatic version at 18 city, 24 highway and 20 combined mpg.

How does the 2015 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 2015 drew 2. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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