2002 Mercedes Benz SLK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
33,139 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 25 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 32.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Visibility | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Visibility: 5; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Equipment: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2003: 4; 2004: 3; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10022696 · 2003-06-09 (June 9, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ABS LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138211 · 2005-09-30 (September 30, 2005)
REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND FUSED TO THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 AMG. WHEN BULBS DO FAIL IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE THEM. IT IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE MELTED PLASTIC. BOTH ENTIRE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 33,139 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033763 · 2003-08-12 (August 12, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS ENGAGED THERE IS A LOT OF HESITATION, AND VEHICLE ALMOST STALLS ON THE ROAD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES NORMALLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063816 · 2004-03-24 (March 24, 2004)
CAR WANTS TO STALL/STOP/HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022402 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
WHEN THERE WAS A QUICK ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP POSITION, THE ESP(ELECTRICAL STABILIZER PROGRAM) SYSTEM ENGAGED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STOPPING AFTER ACCELERATING FOR ONLY 2 FEET. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THE ESP SYSTEM DISENGAGED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163829 · 2006-07-28 (July 28, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS DARKENED AND IT IS NOT RELATED TO THE BULB. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE LEFT REAR BRAKE TO DARKENED. THERE IS A SIMILAR RECALL ON THE MERCEDES 170, BUT NOT ON THE SLK SERIES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10163829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022697 · 2003-06-09 (June 9, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL BE IN THE DRIVING GEAR MODE. TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128945 · 2005-07-15 (July 15, 2005)
ON MAY 13, 2005, I PURCHASED A USED CAR FROM DC MOTORS OF ANAHEIM HILLS, CA. THE CAR CAME FROM WALTER MERCEDES RIVERSIDE, CA. THE CAR WAS NOT RECONDITIONED BEFORE SELLING. THE COMPANY INTENTIONALLY DEFRAUD ME SINCE I HAVE A PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN THROROUGHLY CHECK FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER. TODATE, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A TOTALLED OF 12 DAYS, 4 VARIOUS VISITS. THE FOLLOWING WERE THE PROBLEMS: MISSING GRILL, SHAKING IN THE STEERING, CAR NEEDS NEW TIRES AND FRON WHEEL ALIGNMENT, HUMMING NOISE, HOT AIR COM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10128945 at NHTSA ↗