2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 1 of 4 complaints (25%) mentions it.
Complaints filed rose from 1 in 2016 to 4 in 2017.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,350–4,550 | 3,350–4,550 | 3,350–4,850 | 3,350–4,850 | 3,350–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–23 | 17–23 | 16–23 | 16–23 | 18–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–20 / 21–27 | 14–20 / 21–27 | 13–20 / 22–28 | 13–20 / 22–28 | 15–20 / 23–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 393–537 | 392–539 | 383–546 | 383–546 | 387–488 | |
| Complaints filed | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
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 2017 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 gas mileage does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class get?
EPA rates it 16–23 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
EPA estimates $3,350–$4,850 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 9-spd | 8 | 4.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 442 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 383 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 16 mpg | 25 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 7-spd | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 13 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 546 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 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 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)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION · Campaign 21V058000 · Feb 8, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 17V177000 · Mar 17, 2017
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.