2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 has 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 20. The most common issue is steering problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: my car was manufactured in 12/12. i took my car in last year because suddenly my power steering quit working on me. my husband man-handled the steering and drove it 70 miles to the nearest dealership in lubbock, tx. they said it was a computer error and hooked up a device and said they updated th.
20
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 7)
STEERING
5 complaints- • MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 12/12. I TOOK MY CAR IN LAST YEAR BECAUSE SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING ON ME. MY HUSBAND MAN-HANDLED THE STEERING AND DROVE IT 70 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN LUBBOCK, TX. THEY SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER ERROR AND HOOKED UP A DEVICE AND SAID THEY UPDATED TH
- • MY CAR HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE STEERING MECHANISM QUIT WORKING UP AND DOWN. IT TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE FORM OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PART. PART NO. 231 460 02 31. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AT THE FACTORY. THE TECHNICIAN OVER SHOT THE ADJUSTMENT LENGT
- • The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced at a tire shop, he was informed that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagn
“MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 12/12. I TOOK MY CAR IN LAST YEAR BECAUSE SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING ON ME. MY HUSBAND MAN-HANDLED THE STEERING AND DROVE IT 70 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN LUBBOCK, TX. THEY SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER ERROR AND HOOKED UP A DEVICE AND SAID THEY UPDATED TH”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550
Based on 12 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 31K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Mercedes-Benz SL550 Service Intervals
Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles
These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2013 SL550, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 20 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐STEERING: MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 12/12. I TOOK MY CAR IN LAST YEAR BECAUSE SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING ON ME. MY HUSBAND MAN-HANDLED THE STEERING AND DROVE IT 70 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IN LUBBOCK, TX. THEY SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER ERROR AND HOOKED UP A DEVICE AND SAID THEY UPDATED TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SL550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE PADDLE SHIFTERS WERE OPERATED AND THE CONNECTOR PLATE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN IN HIGHWAY GOES TO LIMP MODE FOR EXAMPLE FROM 69 TO 35 MILES IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAVE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐WHEELS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ SL550. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE NEEDED AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mercedes-Benz SL550 — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 20
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550