Mercedes Benz SL550 vs Lotus Elise
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 | Lotus Elise |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 34 | 83 |
| Model years covered | 2011–2017 | 2005–2009 |
| Worst model year | — | 2005 |
| Best model year | — | 2007 |
| Crashes reported | 4 | 2 |
| Fires reported | 0 | 3 |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Engine & Cooling |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 11.8% | 6% |
Mercedes Benz SL550 by year
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%
Lotus Elise by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
53
63.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain
7
8.4%
Electrical System
4
4.8%
Suspension
4
4.8%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
4
4.8%
Other & Unspecified
4
4.8%
Brakes
2
2.4%
Fuel & Propulsion
2
2.4%