2002 Mercedes Benz SLK320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 11 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 63.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Service Brakes: 4; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2023: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10576072 · 2014-03-31 (March 31, 2014)
SUDDENLY, FOR NO REASON, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ACTIVATED, CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THIS RELEASED WITHIN A SECOND. I STOPPED AND RESTARTED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. SEVERAL SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. I CALLED MERCEDES ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY WANTED ME TO TAKE IT TO DEALER AND PAY THE DEALER TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE OVER TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY A FEW MONTHS AGO. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD NO MORE PROBL…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,807 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10609717 · 2014-07-10 (July 10, 2014)
THE CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES FOR ABOUT ONE SECOND, AND THE BAS-ESP LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, AND IT RESUMES TO NORMAL DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 98,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10609717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10730534 · 2015-06-26 (June 26, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE REAR AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS AUTOMATICALLY DIMMED IN LIGHTING CAUSING IT HARDER TO VIEW THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10730534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11759368 · 2026-08-25 (August 25, 2026)
The cars ignition switch locks up and prevents the car from starting, it can also cause the car to stall when running creating a very dangerous situation. Mercedes is aware of this problem with the ignition switch.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11759368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10915378 · 2016-10-11 (October 11, 2016)
THE BAS/ESP LIGHT AND SUDDEN BRAKING JUST OCCURRED TODAY(10.11.16) ON OUR 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 320. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN ABOUT AN HOUR OF DRIVING ON CITY STREETS BETWEEN 15 AND 45 MPH. ONE OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, THE OTHER TWO HAPPENED WHILE CHANGING LANES IN MOVING TRAFFIC. THE EXPERIENCE TODAY WAS THAT THE CAR HAD A BRIEF MOMENTARY HARD BRAKING. FIRST ON THE LEFT FRONT AND THEN THE RIGHT FRONT (2 SEPARATE TIMES). EACH WAS A SEPARATE INCIDENT AND EACH TIME THE BAS/ESP LIGHT LIT UP AFTERWARD. AFTER INTERNET RESEAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10915378 at NHTSA ↗