2002 Mercedes Benz SLK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
33,139 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 25 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 32.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Visibility | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Visibility: 5; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Equipment: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2003: 4; 2004: 3; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10022402 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
WHEN THERE WAS A QUICK ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP POSITION, THE ESP(ELECTRICAL STABILIZER PROGRAM) SYSTEM ENGAGED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STOPPING AFTER ACCELERATING FOR ONLY 2 FEET. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THE ESP SYSTEM DISENGAGED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022696 · 2003-06-09 (June 9, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ABS LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022697 · 2003-06-09 (June 9, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL BE IN THE DRIVING GEAR MODE. TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033763 · 2003-08-12 (August 12, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS ENGAGED THERE IS A LOT OF HESITATION, AND VEHICLE ALMOST STALLS ON THE ROAD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES NORMALLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063816 · 2004-03-24 (March 24, 2004)
CAR WANTS TO STALL/STOP/HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080678 · 2004-07-09 (July 9, 2004)
FUEL LINE FAILED AT PRESSURE REGULATOR CAUSING A CONSTANT FLOW OF GASOLINE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FUEL HOSE ASSEMBLY IS ON BACK ORDER FROM GERMANY. APPEARS TO BE OVER TWO WEEKS FOR REPAIR. JUST GREAT!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 28,319 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081707 · 2004-07-12 (July 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ASUDDEN ACCELERATION. NO IMPACT WAS REPORTED. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,892 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128945 · 2005-07-15 (July 15, 2005)
ON MAY 13, 2005, I PURCHASED A USED CAR FROM DC MOTORS OF ANAHEIM HILLS, CA. THE CAR CAME FROM WALTER MERCEDES RIVERSIDE, CA. THE CAR WAS NOT RECONDITIONED BEFORE SELLING. THE COMPANY INTENTIONALLY DEFRAUD ME SINCE I HAVE A PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN THROROUGHLY CHECK FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER. TODATE, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A TOTALLED OF 12 DAYS, 4 VARIOUS VISITS. THE FOLLOWING WERE THE PROBLEMS: MISSING GRILL, SHAKING IN THE STEERING, CAR NEEDS NEW TIRES AND FRON WHEEL ALIGNMENT, HUMMING NOISE, HOT AIR COM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10128945 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 ↗