https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the Mercedes-Benz SLK. en-us Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:54:57 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-1074160 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT CAR STALLS. UNABLE TO RESTART UNTIL AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ON 03/03/14 BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED ENGINE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FOR $842.04.. PROBLEM PERSISTED AND CAR KEPT STALLING IN TRAFFIC POSING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES.. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 05/17/14 AND THE CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1,672.49. ON 06/08/14 AGAIN STALLED IN TRAFFIC. RETURNED TO DEALER O https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-1016716 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 00:00:00 GMT THE AUTO DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR TURNED BLACK AND I CANNOT SEE OUT OF IT DEALER WANTS LIKE $800 TO REPLACE IT. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ON THE FORUMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALSO THE AUTO DIMMING DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND CAN'T SEE OUT OF THAT EITHER, AGAIN MANY PEOPLE ON THE FORUMS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS TOO. AT ONE TIME THE MANUFACTURER OF THE MIRROR WAS SENDING FREE REPLACEMENTS https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-1016717 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 00:00:00 GMT THE AUTO DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR TURNED BLACK AND I CANNOT SEE OUT OF IT DEALER WANTS LIKE $800 TO REPLACE IT. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ON THE FORUMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALSO THE AUTO DIMMING DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND CAN'T SEE OUT OF THAT EITHER, AGAIN MANY PEOPLE ON THE FORUMS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS TOO. AT ONE TIME THE MANUFACTURER OF THE MIRROR WAS SENDING FREE REPLACEMENTS https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-983132 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH, VEHICLE RANDOMLY APPLIES FRONT OR REAR BRAKE CAUSING A LOUD BRAKING SQUEAL AND CAUSING THE CAR TO BUCK OR PITCH TO ONE SIDE. IT HAS OCCURRED FROM A STOPPED POSITION AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE, BUT 90% OF THE TIME IT OCCURS AT SPEEDS UNDER 30-35 MPH WHILE JUST DRIVING IN A SIMPLE OR LONG CURVE. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN PARKING LOTS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES BY LOCKING UP O https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-983133 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT WHILE DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH, VEHICLE RANDOMLY APPLIES FRONT OR REAR BRAKE CAUSING A LOUD BRAKING SQUEAL AND CAUSING THE CAR TO BUCK OR PITCH TO ONE SIDE. IT HAS OCCURRED FROM A STOPPED POSITION AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE, BUT 90% OF THE TIME IT OCCURS AT SPEEDS UNDER 30-35 MPH WHILE JUST DRIVING IN A SIMPLE OR LONG CURVE. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN PARKING LOTS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES BY LOCKING UP O https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-982158 Tue, 28 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME MODE" TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING DURING THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGH WAY: GEARSHIFTS NO LONGER POSSIBLE AND THE CAR WAS GOING ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS PRODUCING VERY LOUD NOISE AND SCARY. A COLLISION COULD HAVE HAPPENED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND TALKING TO MY MECHANIC, MERCEDES-BENZ'S 722.9 TRANSMISSION IS A KNOWN AND WIDESPR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-982159 Tue, 28 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME MODE" TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING DURING THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGH WAY: GEARSHIFTS NO LONGER POSSIBLE AND THE CAR WAS GOING ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS PRODUCING VERY LOUD NOISE AND SCARY. A COLLISION COULD HAVE HAPPENED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND TALKING TO MY MECHANIC, MERCEDES-BENZ'S 722.9 TRANSMISSION IS A KNOWN AND WIDESPR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-974409 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT THIS IS IN REGARDS TO RECALL NUMBER 05V505 FOR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT. THIS RECALL OCCURRED IN 2006 AND THE LIGHT WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, IT HAS FAILED AGAIN AND HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, THE SOCKED HAS GOTTEN HOT AND MELTED/DEFORMED THE PLASTIC SOCKET. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BULB WAS REPLACED ONLY BUT TO ME IT APPEARS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE ON THIS CAR. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-974410 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT THIS IS IN REGARDS TO RECALL NUMBER 05V505 FOR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT. THIS RECALL OCCURRED IN 2006 AND THE LIGHT WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, IT HAS FAILED AGAIN AND HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, THE SOCKED HAS GOTTEN HOT AND MELTED/DEFORMED THE PLASTIC SOCKET. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BULB WAS REPLACED ONLY BUT TO ME IT APPEARS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE ON THIS CAR. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-974411 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT THIS IS IN REGARDS TO RECALL NUMBER 05V505 FOR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT. THIS RECALL OCCURRED IN 2006 AND THE LIGHT WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, IT HAS FAILED AGAIN AND HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, THE SOCKED HAS GOTTEN HOT AND MELTED/DEFORMED THE PLASTIC SOCKET. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BULB WAS REPLACED ONLY BUT TO ME IT APPEARS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE ON THIS CAR. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-962223 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT THE INSIDE REAR MIRROR OF MY 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 230 IS AN ELECTRO-CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED FLUID HAS LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS BUT INSTEAD TO BE DARK AND FULL OF BUBBLES ALL THE TIME. THIS CAUSES A HAZARD AS IT ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY ENTIRELY. THERE ARE NUMERO https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-962224 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT THE INSIDE REAR MIRROR OF MY 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 230 IS AN ELECTRO-CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED FLUID HAS LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS BUT INSTEAD TO BE DARK AND FULL OF BUBBLES ALL THE TIME. THIS CAUSES A HAZARD AS IT ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY ENTIRELY. THERE ARE NUMERO https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-927000 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILED OVER AND OVER SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 2001. DEALER REPLACED BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES AND LAST REPLACED L & R BULBS ON 12/29/2006 AT 29005 MILES. IN APRIL 2007 A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILURE. REAR LAMPS FAILED ONCE AGAIN AT 39697 MILES AND VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO BEVERLY HILLS MB TO HAVE RECALL PERFORMED ON MAY 30, 2008. REAR BRAKE LAMPS HAVE FAILE https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-925802 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT ON 3/22/2012 WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF LEAVING A DRIVEWAY, THE RIGHT WHEEL SLOWLY SEIZED (WITHIN 100 FEET), ABS AND ESC WARNINGS APPEARED AND THE CAR BECAME IMMOBILIZED. THE CAR WAS FLAT-BEDDED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE AND RELATED WHEEL/PARTS WERE REPLACED. ON 6/23/2012 AT ABOUT 25 MPH, THE ABS, ESC WARNINGS SHOWED, THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT ON BRAKING. THE C https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-925803 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT ON 3/22/2012 WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF LEAVING A DRIVEWAY, THE RIGHT WHEEL SLOWLY SEIZED (WITHIN 100 FEET), ABS AND ESC WARNINGS APPEARED AND THE CAR BECAME IMMOBILIZED. THE CAR WAS FLAT-BEDDED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE AND RELATED WHEEL/PARTS WERE REPLACED. ON 6/23/2012 AT ABOUT 25 MPH, THE ABS, ESC WARNINGS SHOWED, THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT ON BRAKING. THE C https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-925804 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT ON 3/22/2012 WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF LEAVING A DRIVEWAY, THE RIGHT WHEEL SLOWLY SEIZED (WITHIN 100 FEET), ABS AND ESC WARNINGS APPEARED AND THE CAR BECAME IMMOBILIZED. THE CAR WAS FLAT-BEDDED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE AND RELATED WHEEL/PARTS WERE REPLACED. ON 6/23/2012 AT ABOUT 25 MPH, THE ABS, ESC WARNINGS SHOWED, THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT ON BRAKING. THE C https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-910979 Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP INTERMITTENTLY & WON'T UP SHIFT. THE TRANSMISSION WILL SUDDENLY GO INTO LOW GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MERCEDES-BENZ SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. A INDEPENDENT MERCEDES-BENZ REPAIR SHOP SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT ALL THE 7 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS ARE DOING. MERCEDES-BENZ WILL NOT PAY FOR THE R https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-907752 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT THE MIRROR IS SELF-DIMMING USING A LIGHT-SENSITIVE LIQUID BEHIND THE MIRROR. THE LIQUID LEAKED OUT OF THE MIRROR AND CREATED ACID STAINS ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE MIRROR IS NOW BLURRY AND SHOWS GHOST IMAGES OF ANYTHING BEHIND. IT ALSO NO LONGER AUTO-DIMS WHEN BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS APPROACH FROM BEHIND AND THERE IS NO LEVER FOR THE DRIVER TO USE TO MANUALLY DIM IT. THE EASIEST THING IS TO JUST TUR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-893790 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT THE ESP LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR PULLS TO RIGHT AND THE SPEED PEDAL DOES NOT WORK. IT HAPPENS WHILE ACCELERATING AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF POWER TO CROSS A MAJOR INTERSECTION. THE ESP LIGHT COMES ON AND AUTOMATICALLY DISABLES THE SPEED/GAS PEDAL. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-893791 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT THE ESP LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR PULLS TO RIGHT AND THE SPEED PEDAL DOES NOT WORK. IT HAPPENS WHILE ACCELERATING AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF POWER TO CROSS A MAJOR INTERSECTION. THE ESP LIGHT COMES ON AND AUTOMATICALLY DISABLES THE SPEED/GAS PEDAL. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-883744 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT TOOK MY CAR IN, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THEN THE ENGINE WAS WINDING OUT REALLY HI ON THE TACHOMETER, MERCEDES SAID IT WAS THE VALVE BODY MODULE IN TRANSMISSION, OK- THEN THEY TOLD ME MY ENGINE BALANCE SHAFT WAS NOT WORKING AND THE LABOR WAS 5628.00 THEY HAVE NOT YET QUOTED ME A PRICE ON THE PARTS FOR EITHER ISSUE. SAID THE ENGINE WILL JUST SEIZE UP WHEN DRIVING, I LOOKED THIS UP ON INTERNET https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-883745 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT TOOK MY CAR IN, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THEN THE ENGINE WAS WINDING OUT REALLY HI ON THE TACHOMETER, MERCEDES SAID IT WAS THE VALVE BODY MODULE IN TRANSMISSION, OK- THEN THEY TOLD ME MY ENGINE BALANCE SHAFT WAS NOT WORKING AND THE LABOR WAS 5628.00 THEY HAVE NOT YET QUOTED ME A PRICE ON THE PARTS FOR EITHER ISSUE. SAID THE ENGINE WILL JUST SEIZE UP WHEN DRIVING, I LOOKED THIS UP ON INTERNET https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-875476 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES SLK 230 , WHICH BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS . AFTER THE CAR BRAKES TO THE RIGHT FOR A COUPLE OF SECOND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT COMES ON . I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH (VERY SCARY). I HAVE SINCE HAD THE BRAKE SWITCH CHANGED , AND WHEEL SENSORS AND NEW BATTERY. I HAVE SINCE PICKED MY CAR UP AND NO PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 100 MILES UNTIL TODAY WHEN THE S https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-875477 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES SLK 230 , WHICH BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS . AFTER THE CAR BRAKES TO THE RIGHT FOR A COUPLE OF SECOND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT COMES ON . I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH (VERY SCARY). I HAVE SINCE HAD THE BRAKE SWITCH CHANGED , AND WHEEL SENSORS AND NEW BATTERY. I HAVE SINCE PICKED MY CAR UP AND NO PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 100 MILES UNTIL TODAY WHEN THE S https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-859247 Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT VISUAL IMPAIRMENT DUE TO "LAVA LAMP/ DISTORTED BUBBLE" EFFECT IN AUTO-DIMMING REARVIEW AND SIDE MIRROR. I NEVER REALIZED SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THIS WEBSITE EXISTED. I WOULD HAVE FILED MY COMPLAINT A LONG TIME AGO. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF REPLACE A REARVIEW MIRROR BEFORE. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I NOTICED THERE WAS A BUBBLE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TINY MIRR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-839512 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 IS A SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE MIRROR CONTAINS SOME KIND OF FLUID THAT LEAKED OUT ONTO MY CENTER CONSOLE AND THEN THE DIMMING EFFECT NO LONGER WORKED, LEADING TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION AT NIGHT. THERE IS NO MANUAL BACKUP WITH THIS MIRROR, IT IS ELECTRIC AND ONCE IT FAILS, IT STOPS WORKING. I FEEL MERCEDES-BENZ SHOULD I https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-829451 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT 2002 MERCEDES SLK320 FAILS TO ACCELERATE RANDOMLY AND AT CRITICAL MOMENTS. GAS PEDAL CAN BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR REMAINS AT IDOL SO THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS ARE GENERATED. POWER IS SLOW TO RECOVER BUT LEAVES THE CAR LIMPING ALONG AT IDOL UNTIL IT RESPONDS AGAIN. SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-816252 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT THE AUTOMATICALLY DIMMING INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS LEAKED PART OF LIQUID CRYSTAL FLUID, SEVERELY DISTORTING THE REFLECTED IMAGE. IN ADDITION, SINCE THE MIRROR DOES NOT HAVE ANT MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR DAY/NIGHT SELECTION, ANY BRIGHT LIGHTS FROM BEHIND TEND TO BLIND OR AT LEAST INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER VISION. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE.THE MANUFACTURER'S QUOTE TO CORRECT https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-813051 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ, SLK 320. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH , THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE BAS/ESP (TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT) CAME ON CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. SUDDENLY THE BRAKES UNLOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFOR https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk https://plaincars.com/make/mercedes-benz-slk#complaint-812002 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT 2003 SLK 230 TAIL LIGHT STILL DEFECTIVE AFTER RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. *TR