2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Pictured: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (C 197) – Frontansicht geöffnet, 10. August 2011, Düsseldorf. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Two Seaters
Body styles
2dr Coupe, Roadster 2dr Convertible
Engines
6.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
16 combined · 14 city / 20 hwy
Length
182.7 in
Curb weight
3,737–3,825 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 23% below the 2012 two seaters average of 20.7 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a two seaters offered with a 6.2L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 183 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,737 lb (2dr Coupe).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 23% worse than the 2012 two seaters average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2012

  • Lightest version 165 lb heavier

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 SLS AMG →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe182.7 in76.4 in49.6 in105.5 in66.1 / 65 in3,737 lb52/48
Roadster 2dr Convertible182.7 in76.4 in49.6 in105.5 in66.1 / 65 in3,825 lb52/48

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
SLS AMG6.2L 8-cylAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-23%$5,150555
SLS AMG Roadster6.2L 8-cylAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-23%$5,150555
Spend $13,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.7 MPG2012 Two Seaters average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

Similar 2012 two seaterss

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (this car)16 MPGNot rated3
2012 Porsche 91122 MPGNot rated3
2012 Audi R816 MPGNot rated1
2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class17 MPGNot rated0
2012 Jaguar XK19 MPGNot rated2
2012 Audi R8 Spyder16 MPGNot rated0
2012 Lexus LFA13 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V010000 · 288,779 vehicles

Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 10, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V017000 · 104,119 vehicles

Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above MBUSA is recalling certain 2009 C300 4Matic, C300, C350 and C63 AMG vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above MBUSA is recalling certain 2008 C300 4Matic, C300, and C350 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 11, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V081000 · 711,159 vehicles

Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

4Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
Air Bags4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/10: 117/11: 118/07: 119/01: 116/1017/1118/0719/01max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other SLS AMG years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2015 SLS AMG15182.7 inNot rated00
2014 SLS AMG15182.7 inNot rated22
2013 SLS AMG15182.7 inNot rated30
2011 SLS AMG16182.7 inNot rated36

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →