Mercedes Benz SLK350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
50,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 to 2008 model years. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 47 complaints (29.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 21.3% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 12.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 8.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
Air Bags: 14; Power Train: 9; Engine: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Suspension: 5; Electrical System: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3
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 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 23 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 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 5; 2016: 4; 2017: 9; 2018: 5; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 5; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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 10197418 · 2007-07-25 (July 25, 2007)
I BOUGHT A CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2004 FROM MERCEDES BENZ AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL A YEAR LATER. I STARTED TO GET TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THE CAR WOULD START JERKING WHEN I COME TO A STOP, AND THE RPM ON THE CAR WOULD GO HIGHER THAN NORMAL WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PETAL AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO AUTOBAHN NUMEROUS OF TIMES TO TRY AND GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING AND NEVER SEEMS TO BE FIXED COMPLETELY. THE FIRST TIME AROUND THEY HAD REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION, AND FIXED THE TAP THREADS …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,723 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197418 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10482114 · 2012-10-24 (October 24, 2012)
FIRST INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN (MALIBU CANYON ROAD) AROUND 10:30PM AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF GEAR BY ITSELF AND I HAD NO FORWARD CONTROL. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGED. I WAS GOING DOWNHILL BUT IT TOOK ME AWHILE TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO CELLPHONE SERVICE IN THAT LOCATION SO I WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES TO FLAG SOMEONE DOWN. NO ONE CAME BY SO I RESTARTED MY CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK INTO GEAR. THE SECOND INCIDENT MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE 101 FREEWAY…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11047045 · 2017-11-17 (November 17, 2017)
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE ARM REST COMPARTMENT. TRACED THE LINE BACK TO REAR TIRES AND NOTHING ELECTRICAL COULD BE SEEN TOUCHING BRAKE CABLE LINE. SO NO OBVIOUS REASON WHY CABLE WOULD IGNITE. I WAS PARKED IN CAR PORT STALL AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO A FRIENDS HOUSE.
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11047045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544770 · 2023-09-15 (September 15, 2023)
My vehicle has excessive rust issues that I’m being told by the dealership will compromise my safety. There is currently an extension of warranty for only the subframe in rear, but the rust is extended beyond that and is applied to the components needed to be removed in order to replace the subframe. Such as the exhaust pipe and brake lines as well. All are corroded to a high degree up to and including complete brittle material Disintegration. Exhaust and rear brake line cost make it impossible for me to have the vehicle brought back to safely …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11544770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328705 · 2010-05-03 (May 3, 2010)
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 30 APR 10 - 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350; THE VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT AND RECENTLY HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT OUT. HAD SERVICE DONE UNDER WARRANTY AND ALSO HAD BRAKES AND FRONT ROTORS REPLACED. 1 MAY 10 THE SRS RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION VISIT WORKSHOP MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. 3 MAY 10, TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR SERVICE AND A SHORT TEST WAS PERFORMED RESULTING IN CODE 4…
Owner-reported narrative. 31,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10270108 · 2009-05-27 (May 27, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THERE WAS PLENTY OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE DURING BOTH FAILURES. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED ONCE IT SHUT OFF. DURING THE SECOND FAILURE, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE CENTER LANE OF A BUSY ROAD. AS A RESULT, HIS VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. FLORIDA PALM BEACH GARDEN POLICE REPORT NUMBER 06569673 WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AFTER BOTH …
Owner-reported narrative. 56,851 miles reported. Look up ODI 10270108 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
2005: 0; 2006: 0; 2007: 1; 2008: 2