The solenoid of the camshaft adjuster is sealed from the factory by nothing more than a plain sealing ring, and over time that starts to leak.
Applies to the engine M276DE30AL, M276DE35, M278DE46AL.
Repair: from 31 EUR
vinkodex.Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R231 common faults.
2012–2020. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.
M 93 / CC BY-SA 3.0 de
What to watch for
What can go wrong on this car?
The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.
critical1
expensive7
The check valve is missing from the oil supply of the timing chain tensioner.
Applies to the engine M278DE46AL.
At a cold start a brief, metallic rattle comes from the front of the engine, and it has two causes.
Applies to the engine M276DE30AL, M276DE35.
In the Mercedes 7 speed 722.9 automatic (7G-Tronic / 7G-Tronic Plus) the mechatronics unit and the conductor plate (Leiterplatte) age over time: jerking on shifts, delayed engagement, a "Getriebe schützen" message, and fault codes on the gearbox electronics.
Applies to the transmission MB7229.
The cylinder wall is formed by a Silitec liner: an aluminium-silicon alloy which the maker cast into the aluminium cylinder in order to reduce friction, heat and wear.
Applies to the engine M278DE46AL.
The cylinder wall is formed by a Silitec liner: a silicon-carbide aluminium surface that is hard and conducts heat well.
Applies to the engine M157DE55AL.
At a cold start a rattle comes from the top of the engine, and it is loudest when the car has stood for hours.
Applies to the engine M157DE55AL.
The oil cooler sits in the V valley between the cylinder banks, under the intake manifold, where the oil circuit and the coolant circuit meet.
Applies to the engine M276DE30AL, M276DE35.
Repair: 1,700–3,800 EUR
Official recall8 recallsShowThe manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.
Most recent: 5 February 2021
21V058000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWAREELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE5 February 2021 · NHTSA (USA)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.
Risk: 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.
19V768000POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLYPOWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY25 October 2019 · NHTSA (USA)Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 SL450, SL63 AMG, and SL550 vehicles. Over time, the bolt connection at the front-left mounting point on the rear axle carrier casting may fail, possibly affecting the vehicle's handling.
Risk: Unexpected changes in the vehicle's handling can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front-left mounting point of the rear axle carrier. If a defect in the bolt connection of the rear axle carrier is found, MBUSA will contact the owner and offer a repurchase of the vehicle. The recall began November 22, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019100018.
19V571000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2 August 2019 · NHTSA (USA)Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 SL65 AMG, 2019 SL63 AMG and 2018-2019 SL450 and SL550 vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been improperly sewn, allowing the seam to tear during deployment.
Risk: A tear in the air bag may decrease performance and increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019100016.
A12/00017/22Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety GateA trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/00488/20Safety recallEnvironmentno date · EU Safety GateRefrigerant of type R134a is used in the air conditioning system. As a result, the affected vehicles do not meet the requirements for type approval. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Type-approval directive.
Remedy: Type of economic operator to whom the measure(s) were ordered: Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/0082/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe power-assisted steering control units may have been fitted with defectively welded contacts. As a result, a permanent electrical connection between the contacts cannot be guaranteed, which could lead to loss of support to the power-assisted steering and thus an increased risk of accidents.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/01448/22Safety recallEnvironment, Injuriesno date · EU Safety GateFaulty configurations of the control units (traction systems, signal recording triggering modules, engine control units and headlights) could cause one or more control units to malfunction, which could increase the risk of an accident. The exhaust emissions exceed the legal limits, posing a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/1466/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe passenger airbag may not have been sewn together in accordance with the specifications. As a result, the seam at the edges can rip open when it is deployed. This may compromise the airbag's restraining effect in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
Engines and transmissions in this generation
A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.
R231 · 2012–2020
Pick the version.
The fault list opens on the version page.
10 versions
EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody
3.0 l · 2996 cm³
M276DE30AL · MB7229
SL 400
2012–2016 · SL 400
333 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible3.0 l · 2996 cm³
M276DE30AL · MB7229
SL 400
2016–2020 · SL 400
367 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible3.5 l · 3498 cm³
M276DE35 · MB7229
SL 350
2012–2016 · SL 350
306 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible3.5 l · 3498 cm³
M276DE35 · MB7229
SL 350 Edition 1
2012–2016 · SL 350 Edition 1
306 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible4.7 l · 4663 cm³
M278DE46AL · MB7229
SL 500
2012–2016 · SL 500
435 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible4.7 l · 4663 cm³
M278DE46AL · MB7250
SL 500 Edition 1
2012–2016 · SL 500 Edition 1
435 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible4.7 l · 4663 cm³
M278DE46AL · MB7229
SL 500
2012–2016 · SL 500
455 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible5.5 l · 5461 cm³
M157DE55AL
SL 63 AMG
2012–2016 · SL 63 AMG
537 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible5.5 l · 5461 cm³
M157DE55AL
SL 63 AMG
2016–2020 · SL 63 AMG
585 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible6.0 l · 5980 cm³
M279E60AL · MB7229
SL 65 AMG
2012–2016 · SL 65 AMG
630 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible
Neighbouring generations
R231 · 2012–2020
R231 (2012-2020). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Previous generation
R230 · 2001–2012This generation
R231 · 2012–2020
Next generation
This is the latest.
Common questions
About this generation
Which years does this page cover?
2012–2020. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.
Does the fault apply to every car like this?
No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.
Is it free?
The fault list is.
Information, not an expert opinion
We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.
- A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
- A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
- You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.