Mercedes BENZ SLC Class Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mercedes BENZ SLC Class options? We analyzed 4 model years (2017–2020) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mercedes BENZ SLC Class has 7 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2017–2020. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
- Make
- Mercedes BENZ
- Model
- SLC Class
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2020 (4 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 7
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Excellent
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
ExcellentThe MERCEDES BENZ SLC CLASS has 7 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 7 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 0 federal recall campaigns
- No crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
0 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2020. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 7 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
7 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
RECALL ON THIS AUTO HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud whistling sound coming from the upper panel of the roof. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the bonding of the upper roof panel had failed and required to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was referred to the dealer for additional assistance. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was not available.
On September 6, 2025 while driving approximately 70 mph, the front roof panel of my vehicle detached completely. This was not only a costly failure, but also an extremely dangerous incident that could easily have caused severe injuries or fatalities — either to myself, my passengers, or other motorists on the roadway. As you are aware, Mercedes-Benz has already acknowledged this precise risk through NHTSA Recall No. 21V197000 / Campaign 2021070010, later expanded under NHTSA Recall 23V854000. These documents confirm that the bonding adhesive used on the front roof panel can deteriorate, leading to detachment. Mercedes has therefore had prior knowledge of this defect and its associated safety hazards. Given that my vehicle has now experienced the exact failure described in these recalls, it is wholly unreasonable for Mercedes-Benz to deny responsibility. This was not normal wear and tear; it was a known, documented safety defect that could have resulted in catastrophic consequences.
Piston 1 broken at 76000 miles. Compleat engine failer
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ SLC300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V058000 (COMMUNICATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF HILTON HEAD (155 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE UPDATE WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TWO KEY SAFETY SYSTEM WARNINGS ARE NOT DETECTIBLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS: 1) STEERING WHEEL SHAKE IF YOU DRIFT OUT OF LANE IS NOT FELT DRIVING UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. 2) AUDIBLE ALARM IF YOU ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNAL WITH A CAR IN YOUR BLIND SPOT CAN NOT BE HEARD OVER THE NOISE OF THE AIR CONDITIONER OR RADIO UNDER NORMAL VOLUME. I HAD 3 MEMBERS OF THE DEALERSHIP TECH/SERVICE DEPARTMENT TEST DRIVE THE CAR AND ALL AGREED THAT THE PROBLEM IS AS I DESCRIBED. HOWEVER THEY ALSO SAID "THAT'S THE WAY IT IS" AND THERE IS NO FIX.
Read 1 more owner reports
The check engine light is on in my 2019 SLC (only 42K miles) and the car is emitting a lot of smoke from the exhaust pipe and it is hesitating while driving it. I almost got rear ended. I took it to the dealership and the fault code comes back as: P052E71 - The valve crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. I searched online and this appears to be a very common and expensive issue on all Mercedes models. It goes out often in them and the dealer says it is NOT covered under the MB warranty. As it is an emissions issue, I understand that my car will not pass smog check without it and I reside in California where it has to pass smog inspection to register it. Even after I get it repaired, the propensity for it to have to be replaced again in the future is high. Please issue a safety recall issue for this problem.
Showing 7 of 7 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mercedes BENZ SLC Class
These pages show model-year patterns across 4 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Mercedes BENZ SLC Class, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mercedes BENZ SLC Class has 7 complaints on record across 4 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mercedes BENZ SLC Class has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 0 of the Mercedes BENZ SLC Class's 7 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Excellent) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mercedes BENZ SLC Class vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mercedes BENZ SLC Class vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mercedes BENZ SLC Class has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
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Mercedes BENZ SLC Class reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes BENZ SLC Class reliable?
Excellent. The Mercedes BENZ SLC Class has 7 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mercedes BENZ SLC Class years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (4 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Mercedes BENZ SLC Class problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints); ENGINE (2 complaints).
Does the Mercedes BENZ SLC Class have recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are currently on record for the Mercedes BENZ SLC Class. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.