2001 Mercedes Benz SLK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
56,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 19 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 15.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility | 5 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Visibility: 5; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 6; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10173859 · 2006-11-20 (November 20, 2006)
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2001 SLK 320. I HAVE HAD CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH HEADLAMPS AND BRAKE LAMPS GOING OUT , BULBS MELTING IN LAMPS ON BRAKES AS WELL AS HEADLAMPS. IN THE BEGINNING THESE REPAIRS WERE PAID UNDER MANUF. WARRANTY. HOWEVER, I AM PAYING FOR REPLACEMENT BULBS, MOST RECENTLY A HEADLAMP PROBLEM I WILL HAVE TO HAVE REPLACED AT A COST CLOSE TO $600. TODAY I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM MERCEDES NOTICE FOR THE BRAKE LAMP PROBLEM. I QUESTION THAT THE SAME MAY BE TRUE OF HEADLIGHTS. MY CONDITION OF BRAKE AND HEADLIGHTS BEING REPLACED AS WELL AS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10173859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10464759 · 2012-07-09 (July 9, 2012)
REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILED OVER AND OVER SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 2001. DEALER REPLACED BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES AND LAST REPLACED L & R BULBS ON 12/29/2006 AT 29005 MILES. IN APRIL 2007 A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILURE. REAR LAMPS FAILED ONCE AGAIN AT 39697 MILES AND VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO BEVERLY HILLS MB TO HAVE RECALL PERFORMED ON MAY 30, 2008. REAR BRAKE LAMPS HAVE FAILED ONCE AGAIN AS OF 6/1/ 2012 WITH 78000 MILES ON VEHICLE IN SPITE OF THE RECALL. INSPECTIONS BY AN INDEPENDENT MERCEDES REPAIR FACILITY AS WELL AS SIM…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,005 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156042 · 2006-04-25 (April 25, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 45 MINUTES AFTERWARDS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE IGNITION ON THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED. THE MODEL IS A SLK320.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156042 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10315858 · 2010-03-02 (March 2, 2010)
CAR HESITATES SOMETIMES WHEN TAKING OFF AND ACCELERATING IF I DON'T RELEASE CLUTCH PROPERLY. IT'S AS IF THE COMPUTER TAKES OVER AND PREVENTS CAR FROM ACCELERATING. I'VE STALLED CARS; THIS IS DIFFERENT. THE STALL IS NOT RELATED TO THE SHIFTING BUT TO THE ACCELERATION. IT'S LIKE THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE TAKES OVER AND STOPS THE ACCELERATION. SUCH IS NOT NEED AND ACTUALLY MAKES LESS SAFE THE CONDITION. IF I RELEASE THE CLUTCH A BIT OUT-OF-TIME I DON'T WANT MY ACCELERATION BEING CHANGED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NINE OR MORE TIMES. I AM INDICATING A DATE B…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10315858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155958 · 2006-04-24 (April 24, 2006)
PREMATURE WEARING OF STEERING COMPONENT IN 2001 SLK 320 SPORT- TIE ROD ENDS/DRAG LINK WORN OUT AFTER ONLY 48,000 MILES. FAILURE CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR IN FRONT TIRES NECESSITATING EARLY TIRE REPLACEMENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155958 at NHTSA ↗