repaired · 2026 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLSProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-081 the manufacturer reports only 65% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 26, 2019. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS has problems
6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
5Air bags
1Vehicle speed control
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other SLS year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SLS median. How we score
'11'12'13'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What SLS owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
LETTER ON BEHALF OF HIS CLIENT RELATIVE TO HER INABILITY TO GET THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG REPLACED PURSUANT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ RECALL OF HER VEHICLE. *AS *TR
TAKATA RECALL--STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS FOR MY VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN 2-1/2 YEARS SINCE THE RECALL STARTED!
TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A DEALER WHO HAS ANY INFLATORS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. NHTSA RECALL - 16V081 AND NHTSA - 16V363
Own a 2011 SLS?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.