Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ SL Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ SL Class and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercedes BENZ SL Class vs Toyota Camry: Over 10 years, the SL Class had 17 complaints and 0 recalls, while the Camry had 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls. The SL Class averages 1.7 complaints per year versus 205.6 for the Camry. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ SL Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ SL Class
The Mercedes-Benz SL Class is a low-volume luxury roadster with only 17 complaints over 10 years, or about 1.7 per year. Owners report electrical gremlins that drain both batteries and disable safety features, plus engine stalling and transmission shifting problems. With zero recalls on record, the main concern is expensive, recurring electrical and powertrain faults that can leave you stranded.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 206 per year, and 31 recalls. Owners report a wide range of issues, from key removal problems and transmission shuddering to brake noise and multiple system malfunctions. The sheer number of complaints and recalls means you should expect more frequent trips to the dealer for fixes.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ SL Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 17 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.7 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mercedes BENZ SL Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 02ENGINE5
- 03POWER TRAIN4
- 04STEERING2
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
Owners report the electrical system drains both batteries after the car sits idle for a few hours, and if it starts, safety features like adaptive cruise and airbags may be inoperable until driven for 30–40 minutes. This can leave you without key safety systems when you need them most.
Complaints include unintended deceleration and stalling while driving at highway speeds, sometimes without warning lights. This sudden loss of power is dangerous and can happen again even after a restart.
Owners describe the transmission abruptly dropping from 65 mph to 40 mph, getting stuck in 4th or 3rd gear, and the gas pedal becoming unresponsive. This makes merging and highway driving unpredictable and risky.
The steering wheel can get stuck in the up position and won't adjust to the preset, requiring a slap to unstick it. If this happens while driving, it could lead to loss of control.
“My mom and I were in her car brand new Mercedes adaptive cruise was on the car started to act up with all the warning lights again, which shut all safety systems down air back seatbelts, adaptive cruise, Tronics and the engine wall between 18 wheeler and the…”
“The electrical systems drains the two batteries after the car sits idle for a few hours. If it can be started, many of the safety features are inoperable until the car is driven for 30 or 40 minutes. I've had it to multiple Mercedes dealers and all they do is…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key gets stuck and cannot be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect. Others experience hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with a check engine light.
Multiple safety systems—smart stop, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This leaves the car without critical driver aids, increasing crash risk.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the gas pedal, causing the car to hesitate before moving. This lag can be dangerous when pulling into traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer says is common but still concerning.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mercedes BENZ SL Class
No recalls on record.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Mercedes BENZ SL Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz SL Class has far fewer complaints per year (1.7 vs. 205.6) and no recalls, while the Toyota Camry has many more complaints and 31 recalls. In practice, the SL Class may have fewer reported issues overall, but its electrical and stalling problems can be severe and costly. The Camry’s higher volume means more widespread problems, but also more available fixes and parts.
Key differences
- The SL Class has 17 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls.
- SL Class owners report battery drain that disables safety features; Camry owners report key removal issues and transmission shuddering.
- SL Class has 2 crash-related complaints and 2 injuries; Camry has 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death.
- Camry complaints cover a broader range of systems (power train, engine, brakes, electrical), while SL Class issues are more concentrated in electrical and engine.
- Check for battery drain: ask if the car has needed frequent jump-starts or battery replacements, and test all safety features after the car has sat idle for a few hours.
- Test drive at highway speeds to feel for sudden deceleration, transmission hesitation, or stalling, and verify the steering wheel adjusts properly.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park—if it sticks, it could be a recurring problem requiring battery disconnection.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal and check if the electronic parking brake disengages smoothly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially on the Camry.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the electrical system and batteries on the SL Class, and the transmission and brakes on the Camry.
- Test drive both cars extensively, including highway speeds, to reproduce any hesitation, stalling, or shifting issues.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for battery replacements, software updates, or recall repairs.
- Verify that all safety systems (adaptive cruise, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring) function correctly before purchase.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Mercedes BENZ SL Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 1 | 64 |
| 2022 | 8 | 61 |
| 2021 | 0 | 157 |
| 2020 | 2 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 2 | 744 |
| 2017 | 4 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mercedes BENZ SL Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class total complaints
- 17
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class avg complaints/year
- 1.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN