FaultScore

Mercedes Benz SL550 vs Dodge Viper

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Mercedes Benz SL550 Dodge Viper
Complaints on file 34 85
Model years covered 2011–2017 1993–2015
Worst model year
Best model year
Crashes reported 4 9
Fires reported 0 0
Injuries reported 0 11
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Body & Structure
Share of complaints involving harm 11.8% 23.5%

Mercedes Benz SL550 by year

11 13 14 15 17
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 7 20.6%
Steering 6 17.6%
Wheels 6 17.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain 5 14.7%
Airbags 2 5.9%
Brakes 2 5.9%
Body & Structure 2 5.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 5.9%

Dodge Viper by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Body & Structure 19 22.4%
Airbags 11 12.9%
Steering 11 12.9%
Engine & Cooling 9 10.6%
Electrical System 8 9.4%
Suspension 6 7.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain 5 5.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 4 4.7%