2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 6 of 17 complaints (35%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 28 in 2005 to 17 in 2006.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | vs. 2006 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,550–5,550 | 4,550–5,950 | 4,550–5,550 | 4,850–5,550 | 4,850–5,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–17 | 13–17 | 14–17 | 14–16 | 14–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–14 / 17–21 | 11–14 / 18–21 | 11–14 / 18–22 | 11–13 / 17–21 | 11–14 / 17–21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523–635 | 523–684 | 523–635 | 555–635 | 555–635 | |
| Complaints filed | 54 | 28 | 17 | 20 | 4 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 6 of 17 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class get?
EPA rates it 14–17 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
EPA estimates $4,550–$5,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 14 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (high) | $4,550 (low) | 523 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 8 | 5.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 12 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $5,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 12 | 5.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 11 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S5) | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 12 mpg | 18 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SUSPENSION · Campaign 08V405000 · Aug 19, 2008
Defect: MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING 4,564 MY 2001-2006 CL-CLASS (MODEL 215), MY 2002-2006 S-CLASS (MODEL 220), MY 2003-2007 SL-CLASS (MODEL 230), MY 2007-2008 CL-CLASS (MODEL 216), AND MY 2007 S-CLASS (MODEL 221)PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) ACCELERATION SENSORS ON THE FRONT STRUTS. THESE SENSORS MEASURE ACCELERATION AROUND THE Z-AXIS OF THE VEHICLE AND ASSURE AN AUTOMATIC ADAPTATION OF THE FRONT STRUTS TO MAINTAIN A RELATIVELY LEVEL BODY POSITION. VARIATIONS IN THE SOLDERING PROCESS RESULTED IN SOLDERING POINTS ON THE BOARD OF THE ABC SENSORS WHICH MAY NOT BE WITHIN DESIGN TOLERANCES. SIGNALS FROM THE AFFECTED SENSORS MEASURING THE ACCELERATION MAY NOT BE ACCURATELY TRANSMITTED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT.
Consequence: A VARIATION IN THE TRANSMITTED VALUES BETWEEN AFFECTED AND UNAFFECTED SENSORS CAN RESULT IN ONE FRONT STRUT ADJUSTING TO A VALUE INDICATING BODY MOVEMENT WHILE ANOTHER STRUT DOES NOT ADJUST PRESENTING THE DRIVER WITH AN UNEVEN FRONT SUSPENSION. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO UNEXPECTED BODY MOVEMENTS AT THE FRONT AXLE WHICH CAN ADVERSELY INFLUENCE THE VEHICLE'S DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT ABC SENSORS IN ALL POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · Campaign 08V303000 · Jul 9, 2008
Defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.