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Mercedes-Benz SL-Class VIN Check

NHTSA holds 251 owner complaints on the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class from 116 production runs; the worst run has 11, the typical one 2.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 251 complaints · 116 runs · 2003–2020 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported SL-Class run is WDBSK75F73F (2003 builds) with 11 complaints, 5× the typical run. Suspension problems make up 27% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 4.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns for SL-Class model years 1996–2026.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has 116 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 19% of every SL-Class complaint on file.

FIG.01·Mercedes-Benz SL-Class — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
WDBSK75F73F••••••200311—1
WDBSK75F63F••••••200310—1
WDBSK75FX3F••••••200310——
WDBSK75F33F••••••20039——
WDBSK75F04F••••••200481—
WDBSK75F94F••••••2004812
WDBSK75F03F••••••200371—
WDBSK75F43F••••••20036—1
WDBSK75F54F••••••200461—
WDBSK75F65F••••••20055—1
WDBSK75F13F••••••20035——
WDBSK75F93F••••••200351—
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 104 SL-Class runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 100 SL-Class VINs so far, most often 2013, 2019, 2018 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class the gap between build years is 4.3×: a 2003 car draws 4.3 complaints per run, a 2011 one 1.

FIG.02·Mercedes-Benz SL-Class — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20171.343—
20151.343—
2014144—
20131.616101
20111331
20092168—
20071.11614—
20061.41511—
20051.525173
20042.952184
20034.390214
ROWS 11·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2003 at 4.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2011 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 27% of everything Mercedes-Benz SL-Class owners report: Suspension, 71 of 251 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Mercedes-Benz SL-Class — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Suspension7114
Service Brakes6651
Electrical System3819
Hydraulic212—
Steering19—1
Power Train19——
Fuel System17—1
Gasoline16—1
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 28 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2020. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Mercedes-Benz SL-Class — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
08V405000Suspension2003–2007
21V058000Electrical System:software2017–2020
19V787000Communication2013–2016
08V303000Electrical System2003–2009
16V899000Steering:electric Power Assist System2013–2015
05V133000Service Brakes, Hydraulic2003–2005
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

08V405000 was opened in 2008 on cars built from 2003: 5 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 251 reports on the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, 5.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Mercedes-Benz SL-Class — complaint severity
OutcomeMercedes-Benz SL-ClassAll vehicles
Complaints filed2511,115,966
Involved a crash13 (5.2%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire15 (6%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported1158,013
Deaths reported12,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class share of that is 251 complaints over 116 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.

Everything on the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Recalls59 campaignsReliability4.0/5Common problems320 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices1,248 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1994–2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 251 NHTSA complaints from 116 SL-Class runs and 28 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which SL-Class production run has the most complaints?

WDBSK75F73F, a 2003 build, with 11 complaints. The typical SL-Class run has 2.2.

Which SL-Class years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 4.3 complaints per run and 2011 lightest at 1.

How many SL-Class complaints involve a crash?

5.2% of 251 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 15 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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