The 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL is associated with 2 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, accounting for 1 reports (50% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, 4.7l 8-cyl, 5.5l 8-cyl, and 6l 12-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 27 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 2 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 / 50%)
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–27 MPG (6 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| SLC300 | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 25 MPG | 32 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| AMG SLC43 | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| SL450 | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| SL550 | 4.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| AMG SL63 | 5.5L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 16 MPG | 25 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| AMG SL65 | 6L 12-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 13 MPG | 22 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
NHTSA 5-Star NCAP laboratory crash evaluations are not currently on file for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL.
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Not Specified and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Not Specified in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL models.
View complete 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL problems & component breakdown (2 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 SL65 AMG, 2019 SL63 AMG and 2018-2019 SL450 and SL550 vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been improperly sewn, allowing the seam to tear during deployment.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019100016.
View all 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →