2001 Mercedes Benz SLK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
56,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 19 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 15.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility | 5 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Visibility: 5; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 6; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10087056 · 2004-08-17 (August 17, 2004)
MERCEDES BENZ AUTOS HAVE SHIFT LEVERS THAT CANNOT GET WET, OR THE CAR IS INCAPACITATED...I.E. WON'T MOVE OUT OF 1ST GEAR (5 MPH) OR AT ALL. RAIN ON AN OPEN CONVERTIBLE SHIFT LEVER (MY PROBLEM) AND/OR COFFEE OR BEVERAGE SPILLS FROM HOLDERS POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SHIFTER CAN TRIGGER VEHICLE INCAPACITATION.. CONSUMERS HAVE TO SELF-INSURE AGAINST THIS HAZARD AS BENZ WON'T COVER THIS WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM BY WARRANTY. REPAIRS TYPICALLY COST MORE THAN $1000 WITH TOWING. THERE'S NO WARNING TO KEEP THE LEVER DRY TO PREVENT VEHICLE INCAPACITA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10087056 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 ↗
Owner report 10155960 · 2006-04-24 (April 24, 2006)
FAILURE OF AIR MASS METER AFTER ONLY 45,000 MILES NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155960 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 10173859 · 2006-11-20 (November 20, 2006)
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2001 SLK 320. I HAVE HAD CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH HEADLAMPS AND BRAKE LAMPS GOING OUT , BULBS MELTING IN LAMPS ON BRAKES AS WELL AS HEADLAMPS. IN THE BEGINNING THESE REPAIRS WERE PAID UNDER MANUF. WARRANTY. HOWEVER, I AM PAYING FOR REPLACEMENT BULBS, MOST RECENTLY A HEADLAMP PROBLEM I WILL HAVE TO HAVE REPLACED AT A COST CLOSE TO $600. TODAY I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM MERCEDES NOTICE FOR THE BRAKE LAMP PROBLEM. I QUESTION THAT THE SAME MAY BE TRUE OF HEADLIGHTS. MY CONDITION OF BRAKE AND HEADLIGHTS BEING REPLACED AS WELL AS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10173859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191902 · 2007-05-29 (May 29, 2007)
5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 15,000 MILES (SUNNY DAY DRIVER). REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS THE AUTO TINTING FEATURE. THE LIQUID TINT BLED BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF GLASS CAUSING DIFFICULTIES SEEING THE REAR. DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250947 · 2008-12-06 (December 6, 2008)
VEHICLE TYPE IS 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320 (R170 MODEL). THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS FAIL LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10250947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255273 · 2009-01-16 (January 16, 2009)
YEAR, MAKE, MODEL: 2001, MERCEDES BENZ, 170 FAILURE MILEAGE: 65000 THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 320 (R170 MODEL) IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY WHICH GREATLY ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY IN THE INTERIOR. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255273 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V152000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2002-06-13 (June 13, 2002)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN THE PROPER HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS, AND DIRECTIONS FOR AFFIXING THESE INSERTS TO THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-201-573-0117.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V505000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
Reported: 2005-11-01 (November 1, 2005)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FAILURE OF ONE OF THE SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS CAN OCCUR. THE BASE OF THE SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.
Consequence: THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE MOVEMENT IN THE SOCKET-TO-BULB CONNECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE SOCKET, AND FAILURE OF THE BULB TO ILLUMINATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LAMP MODULES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2006, TO APPROXIMATELY 8,200 OWNERS. PHASE II MAILING IS SCHEDULE ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 3, 2006, AND PHASE III MAILING IS SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2007 FOR THE REMAINING OWNERS. OWNERS OF VEHICLES WITH THE UPDATED TRIM (POST-FACE LIFT) WILL GET AN INTERIM NOTICE DURING NOVEMBER 2006, ASKING THEM TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REAR TAIL LAMP REPLACEMENT LATER IN 2007. HOWEVER, IF THEY EXPERIENCE AN ACTUAL REAR LAMP FAILURE BEFORE THEY RECEIVE THAT NOTICE, THEY SHOULD COME TO THEIR DEALER IMMEDIATELY FOR A FREE REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗