2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
22,688 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Power Train: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint: 1; Steering: 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 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 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 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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 10494364 · 2013-01-22 (January 22, 2013)
TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY. MANY REPAIRS LAST ONE BEING ELECTRONIC GAS PEDAL. *TR ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES SLK350 2012 ##
Owner-reported narrative. 4,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10494364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10860868 · 2016-04-22 (April 22, 2016)
ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THE CAR ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING THE CAR IS DEAD AS DEAD, IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER, THE CAR MUST BE TOWED TO THE MERCEDES DEALER, PRACTICALLY WHAT HAPPEN TO SO MANY CAR OWNER I KNOW IS THAT EIS / ESL THE EIS MODULE WHERE YOU INSERT KEY TO START AND THE ESL STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY LOCATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE COLUMN THAT FAILS. THE COST OF REPAIR ($1700.) AS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RISK YOU TAKE TO BE STRANDED ANYWHERE WITH NO PRIOR DIAGNOST…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,255 miles reported. Look up ODI 10860868 at NHTSA ↗