Avg. Price Paid:$38,162 - $66,994
Original MSRP: $95,300 - $187,200
MPG: 14 City / 21 Hwy
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Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Recalls & Reliability

These scores and this review are from when the car was new.

Scorecard

Overall: 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class U.S. News Best Cars 8.9
Critics' Rating: 8.9
Performance: 8.6
Interior: 8.1
Safety: N/A
Reliability:
How we calculate scores
Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

  • Well-matched V8 engine and seven-speed transmission
  • Comfortable, sport-cruiser suspension
  • Power-retractable hard top looks good and works well
  • Comfortable seats provide support for long distances
  • Brakes take some getting used to
  • Cabin is difficult to enter and exit
  • Cabin technology has confusing layout and controls

Research Other Years

Review Last Updated: 2/27/09

Recalls

There has been 1 safety recall issued from NHTSA.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMRecall Date: 07/03/2008
  • 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.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 08V303000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 404
  • Summary: 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.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
  • Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2008 070001. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Reliability

Our reliability score is based on the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) rating or, if unavailable, the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating.

Predicted Reliability Score
  • Key:
  • Among The Best
  • Better Than Most
  • About Average
  • The Rest

J.D. Power and Associates Power Circle Ratings do not include all information used to determine J.D. Power and Associates awards. See JDPower.com for more information on Power Circle Ratings. Your experience may vary.

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Warranty

Mercedes Benz offers a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.

Next Steps: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class