2003 Mercedes Benz SLK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
74,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 9 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 11.1% |
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 | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Power Steering Fluid | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Equipment: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Power Steering Fluid: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10421085 · 2011-08-22 (August 22, 2011)
I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES SLK 230 , WHICH BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS . AFTER THE CAR BRAKES TO THE RIGHT FOR A COUPLE OF SECOND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT COMES ON . I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH (VERY SCARY). I HAVE SINCE HAD THE BRAKE SWITCH CHANGED , AND WHEEL SENSORS AND NEW BATTERY. I HAVE SINCE PICKED MY CAR UP AND NO PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 100 MILES UNTIL TODAY WHEN THE SAME THING OCCURRED AT A LOWER SPEED . CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP READING NO CODES !!!!!! I HAVE GONE TO THE MERCEDES FORUM AND I FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM …
Owner-reported narrative. 116,223 miles reported. Look up ODI 10421085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174135 · 2006-11-23 (November 23, 2006)
AT APPROX. 52,000 MILES ON MY CAR, I TOOK IT TO GET SERVICED BY A NON MERCEDES DEALER SHIP, SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT. THEY FOUND THE POWER STEERING LEAKING AND THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. I HAD JUST TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR A SERVICE THREE WEEKS EARLIER FOR WARRANTY WORK, AND THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND. FLUID WAS LEAKING AROUND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174135 at NHTSA ↗