KNOWN FAULTS · Mercedes-Benz

Known faults for the Mercedes-Benz SL (R231).

2012–2020 · Petrol

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

1 known fault with sources

Engines: SL 400 / 500 (Petrol) · SL 63 AMG (5.5 V8) (Petrol) · SL 65 AMG (6.0 V12) (Petrol)

Applies if: Only if fitted with the automatic gearbox described in the record.

9G-Tronic harsh shiftingAutomatic gearbox

Engine / equipment: 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox (725.0 and 725.1): C-Class W205 and W206, E W212 and W213, CLS, S W222 and W223, GLC, GLE, GLS, SL and SLC
Period mentioned: 2013–2026
Symptoms: Harsh or jerky shifts (especially 1st to 2nd and when cold), vibration, delayed shifts or limp mode; sometimes the gear will not engage from N to D. Codes P073E00 and P07B700.
Possible cause described: Mercedes acknowledges in a technical bulletin complaints of harsh shifts, shudder and limp mode with various causes. In the early years (2014–2016) it is usually software or adaptation rather than mechanical damage; in other cases the pressure sensor built into the gearbox control unit fails.
Check for the garage: Follow the Mercedes bulletin: reproduce the complaint, save the EEPROM, check the oil level, run the Xentry valve flush, update engine, gearbox and shift unit software and perform the standstill adaptation. If it persists, check the control unit.
Cost cited in the source: Software update and adaptation: the most common and cheapest fix; repairing or replacing the control unit costs considerably more (the sources give no comparable figures)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.