Problem Lookup โ€บ Mercedes-Benz โ€บ SL-Class โ€บ 2017

Car problem report

2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class problems, recalls and owner complaints

What the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.

  • 0safety recalls
  • 4owner complaints
  • 0crash reports
  • 0fire reports
  • 10%fail the UK MOT

4 complaints, against an average of 8 for the other 4 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class model years.

Every Mercedes-Benz SL-Class model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.

What goes wrong with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

The components named most often in the 4 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  1. Electrical System1 (25%)
  2. Power Train1 (25%)
  3. Service Brakes1 (25%)
  4. Steering1 (25%)

Has the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class been recalled?

NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class recalled in the UK or Europe?

Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.

UK DVSAThe behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications Recall R/2021/130 ยท Dec 1, 2021 ยท built Jan 2016 to Jan 2021 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications Recall R/2021/376 ยท Nov 29, 2021 ยท built Jan 2016 to Jan 2021 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications Recall R/2021/110 ยท May 13, 2021 ยท built Jan 2016 to Jan 2021 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications Recall R/2021/120 ยท May 11, 2021 ยท built Jan 2016 to Jan 2021 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications Recall R/2021/111 ยท May 10, 2021 ยท built Jan 2016 to Jan 2021 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications Recall R/2021/131 ยท May 5, 2021 ยท built Jan 2016 to Jan 2021 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications Recall R/2021/132 ยท May 5, 2021 ยท built Jan 2016 to Jan 2021 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe emergency call system might not meet specifications Recall R/2021/133 ยท May 5, 2021 ยท built Jan 2016 to Jan 2021 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications Recall R/2021/134 ยท May 5, 2021 ยท built Jan 2016 to Jan 2021 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe software of certain communication modules may not meet specifications Recall R/2021/083 ยท Mar 30, 2021 ยท built Feb 2017 to Mar 2020 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: The software of certain communication modules may not meet specifications.

Fix: Carry out an update to the software of the communication module on affected vehicles.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe emergency call system (ecall) does not meet the specification Recall R/2020/236 ยท Oct 6, 2020 ยท built Mar 2017 to Sep 2018 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: On affected vehicles the software of the communication module for the emergency call system does not meet the specification

Fix: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSADoors on left vehicle side (passenger side) remain permanently locked after the vehicle has been locked/unlocked with the remote control key Recall R/2018/268 ยท Nov 19, 2018 ยท built Oct 2017 to Apr 2018 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: Possible inability to open the left hand door externally or internally.

Fix: Replace the affected door locks on the left side of the vehicle.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSALoss of power steering supportYears estimated Recall R/2017/073 ยท Feb 20, 2017 ยท Risk and fix

Risk: It has been identified that the pins within the electric power assisted steering control unit may not have been contact welded correctly. This can result in an open circuit which will lead to a loss of power steering assistance and possible loss of control of the vehicle.

Fix: Recall all affected vehicles and replace electric power assisted steering.

Check on GOV.UK

EU Safety GateA trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engineโ€ฆA trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. Alert A12/00017/22 ยท reported by Germany ยท Jan 7, 2022 ยท Measures

Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown

View on EU Safety Gate

How often does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class fail its MOT?

9.6% of 659 MOT tests in 2023 on Mercedes-Benz SL-Classs first registered in 2017 were a fail8.7 points better than the average car of the same age
  1. Tyres59%
  2. Lights and electrics25%
  3. Suspension11%
  4. Visibility (windscreen, wipers, mirrors)8%
  5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks6%
  6. Brakes3%

Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2017, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.

What do 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class owners report?

4 of the 4 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

When pulling into an intersection after stopping at a 3-way stop the car unexpectedly went into neutral gear. An oncoming car had to stop suddenly to avoid a collision. I was able to shift the car back to drive and got it home. Now the car will not start and there's a warning message on the dash saying to get the car to a dealer. The car is now at the Mercedes dealer. Apparently the problem exists on other Mercedes models.
Power TrainNHTSA complaint 11663920 ยท May 30, 2025
2007 MERCEDES BENZ SL500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE FAULT CODES WERE 5611, C26DE, C26BB, AND C25D5. THE CODES WERE CLEARED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DECLINED TO ASSIST UNTIL THE FAILURE RECCURED, LEAVING THE BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY.
Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11477377 ยท Aug 3, 2022
2017 MERCEDES BENZ SL 550. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PRE SAFE OPTION ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATES THE SAFETY BELTS TIGHTEN RESTRICTING AND DISTRACTING THE DRIVER WHEN IT IS UNNECESSARY TO DO SO. THE FAILURE OCCURS IN ONE PARTICULAR SPOT WHERE TWO METAL PLATES OVERLAP IN THE STREET. *JS
Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11398392 ยท Mar 2, 2021
STEERING WHEEL STUCK IN UP POSITION. IT WOULD NOT ADJUST TO THE PRESET UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE. FOUND A FIX ONLINE TURNED OFF THE EASY ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE AND HAD TO SLAP THE WHEEL DOWNWARD TO GET IT UNSTUCK. IF THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION IT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND DRIVING WITH THE WHEEL IN FULL UP POSITION BLOCKS THE INSTRUMENTS.
SteeringNHTSA complaint 11389567 ยท Jan 23, 2021

Mercedes-Benz guides on CarHooq

2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: questions owners ask

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class reliable?

NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class; the most common categories were electrical system (1, 25%), power train (1, 25%), service brakes (1, 25%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?

Across 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (25% of complaints), power train (25% of complaints), service brakes (25% of complaints), steering (25% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.

Does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class have any recalls?

As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Check your own SL-Class

Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2017 only.

Check another car