2007 Mercedes Benz SLK280 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
29,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 23 complaints (69.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 |
Air Bags: 16; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 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: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 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 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 6; 2017: 6; 2018: 4; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking 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 10649435 · 2014-10-23 (October 23, 2014)
CAR MADE LOUD NOISE THEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I HAVE READ ALOT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THESE TRANSMISSION HAVING ISSUES. DEALER NOR MERCEDES BENZ (CORPORATE) IN NJ WOULD EVEN ASSIST TO FIND OUT WHAT OR WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES AND REALLY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE ONE BIT. THEY WERE RUDE AND UNBELIEVABLY IRRESPONSIBLE ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT PUTTING ALL OF THE COST ( $7500.00 ) BILL SQUARE ON THE CUSTOMER. I KNOW THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEMS. ITS THEIR PRODUCT. THEY…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,015 miles reported. Look up ODI 10649435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10870912 · 2016-05-25 (May 25, 2016)
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STOPS SHIFTING LEAVING VEHICLE IN 3RD GEAR. ERROR CODE P2767 AND P2768. CREATES DANGEROUS CONDITION ON FREEWAYS SURROUNDED BY SPEEDING CARS. DEALER SAYS ONLY THEY CAN FIX FOR ALMOST $2000.00 DOLLARS.
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10870912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10899518 · 2016-08-30 (August 30, 2016)
TAKATA RECALL, AT 64,000 MILES THE FUEL PUMP WENT BAD ON 2007 SLK280. CAR DROVE 20MILES AT MOST A DAY. TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND HAD IT STALLED EVERY TEMPTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10899518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11040331 · 2017-10-27 (October 27, 2017)
TAKATA RECALL EITHER THESE AIRBAGS ARE SAFE AND THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE RESCINDED OR THE AIRBAGS ARE UNSAFE? IF DEEMED UNSAFE THEN ALL INVENTORIES AND PRODUCTION NEEDS TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. AIRBAG PRODUCTION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO CORRECT THIS RECALL INSTEAD OF NEW CAR PRODUCTION. COULD THIS BE A STALL TACTIC BY THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS? EVERY YEAR THAT PASSES A CERTAIN % OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES END THEIR USEFUL LIVES. MANUFACTURERS THEREFORE RECOGNIZE A LOWER REPLACEMENT COST. EVEN THOUGH A LARGE MONETARY SETTLEMEN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11040331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326787 · 2010-04-21 (April 21, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IDLE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SOFTWARE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,493. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,512.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,493 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326787 at NHTSA ↗