Mercedes Benz SLK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
74 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
43,202 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 59 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 74 complaints (16.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 18 | 24.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 10.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 8.1% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 6.8% |
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 | 12 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 7 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
Visibility: 12; Electrical System: 11; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 7; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Exterior Lighting: 4; Power Train: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 15 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 | 5 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 5; 2006: 10; 2007: 8; 2008: 6; 2009: 6; 2010: 15; 2011: 5; 2012: 4; 2013: 5; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 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 10222373 · 2008-03-26 (March 26, 2008)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ALL THE SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF CAR WAS SHOT OUT AND COULD NOT OPERATE THE BRAKE STEERING AND CAR WAS TOWED TO A FACTORY TRAIED MERCEDES BENZ FACILITY, DIAGNOSIS (NO POWER TO ME2 CONTROL UNIT) THE K40 RELAY MODULE WAS REPLACED WHILE IN GARAGE ANOTHER SLK MODEL WAS IN FOR SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM SINCE THIS COULD BE A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE IS REPORTED TO YOU. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 31,758 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178398 · 2007-01-11 (January 11, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CAMPAIGN # 05V505000 ON 01/09/07 FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON HIS 1999 MERCEDES SLK. THE DEALERSHIP, R & H MERCEDES OWENS MILL, MARYLAND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT PERFORM THE RECAL REPAIR BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS PRESENTLY WORKING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10178398 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 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 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 10241819 · 2008-09-11 (September 11, 2008)
FOR INVESTIGATION ON THE MERCEDES BENZ 2000 SLK. VEHICLE TO MB DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY SINCE PURCHASED NEW, FOR A PROBLEM WITH HARD/FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION. WHEN FULLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, ON OCCASION THE CAR WILL BACKFIRE OR HESITATE, OR ALMOST STALL UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ACTIVATION OF THE TURBO-CHARGER (KOMPRESSOR). A CHECK OF THE SERVICE RECORDS FOR THE VIN NUMBER REVEALS THAT THE PROBLEM GOES BACK TO 10/25/04 WHEN THE O2 SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THAT SAME SENOR WAS R…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,501 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10597525 · 2014-06-11 (June 11, 2014)
CAR STALLS. UNABLE TO RESTART UNTIL AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ON 03/03/14 BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED ENGINE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FOR $842.04.. PROBLEM PERSISTED AND CAR KEPT STALLING IN TRAFFIC POSING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES.. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 05/17/14 AND THE CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1,672.49. ON 06/08/14 AGAIN STALLED IN TRAFFIC. RETURNED TO DEALER ON SAME DAY. DEALER HAS NO IDEA OF WHAT IS CAUSING PROBLEM.. UNTIL THE STALLING PROBLEM IS RESOLVED I AM RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE P…
Owner-reported narrative. 71,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10597525 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 ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1998: 1; 1999: 1; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1