2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class Problems

VIN Decoder

Premium Report

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH, AUDIBLE AND VISUAL WARNINGS OF BRAKE FAILURE. NO BRAKING AVAILABLE OTHER THAN TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT FOR ENGINE BRAKING.

Dec 05, 2017

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

THE SUBJECT CAR, A 2008 MERCDES BENZ SL550, THAT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS STORED IN A GARAGE. THE CAR WAS STARTED AND DRIVEN OUT OF THE GARAGE ON TO THE STREET, APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS LATER WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, THE BRAKES 100% FAILED AND THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING STOP WORKING. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP AND PLACING THE CAR IN PARK. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE DASH BOARD FLASHED A STOP SIGN SYMBOL AND A MESSAGE THAT INCREASE PEDAL PRESSURE WOULD BE REQUIRED. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. AT FIRST THE BRAKES AND STEERING SEEM NORMAL BUT AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS, AGAIN THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED. AT THIS POINT A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AND THE FAILURE WAS REPEATED. THE SHOP INSPECTED THE CAR AND DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH A COMPUTER. SEVERAL CODES WERE APPARENT. THE SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM BE FLUSHED AND THE COMPUTER RESET. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED AS WELL AS THE BATTERIES. THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO SERVICE TODAY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT A COMPUTER FAILURE WOULD RENDER THE BRAKES USELESS AND FAIL 100%. IF THE BRAKES WERE TO FAIL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND IN TRAFFIC, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL RESULTS. MY WIFE NO LONGER FEELS SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR.

Feb 27, 2014

SEATS

1 complaint

DRIVER PLACED A PURSE BEHIND THE FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS POWER SEATS WHICH OPERATE ON A MOTOR. THE STRAP FROM THE PURSE APPARENTLY CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE SEAT IN MOTION CAUSING SMOLDERING AND EVENTUALLY THE SEAT MOTOR TO BURN ITSELF OUT. A FIRE WAS AVOIDED DUE TO A FUSE CAUSING THE MOTOR TO STOP HOWEVER THE MOTOR WHILE IT WAS OPERATING AND PRIOR TO THE FUSE KICKING IN NEARLY CAUSED A FIRE. THE SEAT SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH A CONTACT MECHANISM ( SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE WINDOW AND ELEVATOR DOORS OR GARAGE DOORS WHICH CAUSES THE SEAT TO STOP UPON CONTACT. IF MAKEUP OR OTHER FLAMMABLE PRODUCTS HAD BEEN IN THE BAG, THERE SURELY WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE. *KB

Sep 15, 2011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SL550. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE RECURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR STOPPED. DURING THE RECURRENCES, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Jul 22, 2011

4.8/5.0

107 reviews

MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class VIN Decoder — Free VIN Check Video Guide

Watch our quick MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class VIN decoder walkthrough. Learn how to decode any MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class VIN number to get full vehicle history, recall alerts, specifications, fuel economy (MPG), safety ratings, and known problems — completely free on ForCar.org.

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your MERCEDES-BENZ dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class have?

The 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class currently has 4 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class?

The most common problems reported for the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class?

You can report safety problems with your 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.