MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 · model year

2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320

47 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001MERCEDES-BENZSLK320 carries 47 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 SLK320 is service brakes with 12 filings, followed by electronic stability control (esc) (10) and exterior lighting (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2001 SLK320. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

47
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

47 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES12
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
STEERING2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
WHEELS1
SEATS1

Recent Complaints

20251021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

rear lights malfunction and UNKNOWN

20251021EXTERIOR LIGHTING

rear lights malfunction and UNKNOWN

20241217ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Driving low speed, about 30 MPH, right front wheel begins braking in anti-lock mode. Car pulls right. BAS/ESP light comes on. Was just driving, never touched the brake pedal.

20230524VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

while driving on the highway/freeway system in the Portland Oregon area on several occasions one of which i initiated myself activated the cruise control immediately after initiating the vehicle began to increase its speed to the continuing to speeds well beyond the 100 mile per hour mark I was not able to deactivate the cruise control in the usual ways pressing the brake pedal did not work cruise control knob has a cancel that was not responsive either on two other times this happened when I while driving the same thing happened but i was un aware i had touched the cruise control knob one of which a friend of mine was driving and i failed to notify the individual to be extremely careful not to use cruise control he had initiated by accident since it was so close to the blinker control switch He had more strength than i did and managed to bring it to a full stop burning through brake pads leaving it smelling as though there was a fire that had taken place in the vehicle,

20220521SERVICE BRAKES

* Brake system has failed by brakes applying randomly; research indicates due to faulty YAW sensor and Lateral Movement sensor per mechanic who retrieved the codes. Per Mercedes Benz, these sensors are no longer available and they're no longer making them. There are no aftermarket parts available. * Brakes have applied randomly at various speeds and causes a loss of control of the vehicle. This has been happening over the last few months and poses a very deadly situation. * Independent MB Specialist Master Mechanic pulled codes and confirmed problem. He advised there are no parts available. * No lamps indicated problem was imminent.

20201009ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

SLK320 CAR AUTO APPLIES BREAKS TILL CARS STOPS ! VERY DANGEROUS

Mileage: 150,000

20200809SERVICE BRAKES

ON THREE OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BY THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WITHOUT DRIVER INTERVENTION. IN THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE THIS ACTION PLACED THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORIST IN THE VICINITY OF THE CAR IN EXTREME DANGER. TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON HIGHWAY 80 THROUGH FAIRFIELD CALIFORNIA IN THE LEFT LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ABRUPTLY ACTIVATED BY THE STABILITY SYSTEM CAUSING THE CAR TO YAW TO THE RIGHT AND THEN SUDDENLY TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS ENOUGH DISTANCE BETWEEN OTHER MOTORIST THAT THERE WAS NOT A COLLISION. THE CAR DID HOWEVER ALMOST COLLIDE WITH THE CENTER BARRIER. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

Mileage: 135,000

20200809ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ON THREE OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BY THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WITHOUT DRIVER INTERVENTION. IN THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE THIS ACTION PLACED THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORIST IN THE VICINITY OF THE CAR IN EXTREME DANGER. TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON HIGHWAY 80 THROUGH FAIRFIELD CALIFORNIA IN THE LEFT LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ABRUPTLY ACTIVATED BY THE STABILITY SYSTEM CAUSING THE CAR TO YAW TO THE RIGHT AND THEN SUDDENLY TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS ENOUGH DISTANCE BETWEEN OTHER MOTORIST THAT THERE WAS NOT A COLLISION. THE CAR DID HOWEVER ALMOST COLLIDE WITH THE CENTER BARRIER. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

Mileage: 135,000

20180104SERVICE BRAKES

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THIS IS INVOLVING, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT MAY BE A SENSOR AND EVERYBODY THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM COULD NOT EASILY GET A MECHANIC THAT UNDERSTOOD WHAT TO DO. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW THREE TIMES AND I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR NOW. I HAVE LOW MILEAGE ON THIS CAR. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MILES AND HOUR AND SUDDENLY MY CAR BRAKED, MADE A SCRAPING NOISE & SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. THIS LASTED 20 SECONDS. IT SCARED ME SINCE SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME AND ABOUT RAN INTO MY REAR END, NOT TO MENTION OTHER CARS AROUND ME. MY MECHANIC CHECKED MY CAR WITH THE BENZ COMPUTER SYSTEM AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING AND TOLD ME SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS AND IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. TONIGHT IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES ON THE FREEWAY AND WHILE DRIVING OVER THE CANYON WHERE MANY CARS GO OFF THE CANYON ROAD OVER CLIFFS. IT LASTED A GOOD 20 SECONDS DOING THE SAME THING AND IT WAS A CROWDED FREEWAY. THIS TIME I FOUND THAT MY BAS/ESP LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER RESEARCHING TH

Mileage: 79,861

20170511SERVICE BRAKES

VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND NO DRIVER APPLICATION. THE BAS/ESP ALARM LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE OK UNTIL IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE ALARM CLEARED WHEN RESTARTED BUT THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN ON IT'S OWN AND THE INDICATORS CAME BACK ON. THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT GET A CODE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ON WHEN THEY CHECKED IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-12 TIMES BUT ONLY DURING HOURS WHEN THE BUSINESS IS CLOSED. I LET MY LOCAL MECHANIC DRIVE IT FOR A WEEK AND IT NEVER HAPPENED WITH HIM. THIS IS VERY SPORADIC BUT DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS ENTRIES ON SLK FORUMS WITH OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.

Mileage: 49,500

20170511ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND NO DRIVER APPLICATION. THE BAS/ESP ALARM LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE OK UNTIL IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE ALARM CLEARED WHEN RESTARTED BUT THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN ON IT'S OWN AND THE INDICATORS CAME BACK ON. THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT GET A CODE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ON WHEN THEY CHECKED IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-12 TIMES BUT ONLY DURING HOURS WHEN THE BUSINESS IS CLOSED. I LET MY LOCAL MECHANIC DRIVE IT FOR A WEEK AND IT NEVER HAPPENED WITH HIM. THIS IS VERY SPORADIC BUT DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS ENTRIES ON SLK FORUMS WITH OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.

Mileage: 49,500

20170511UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND NO DRIVER APPLICATION. THE BAS/ESP ALARM LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE OK UNTIL IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE ALARM CLEARED WHEN RESTARTED BUT THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN ON IT'S OWN AND THE INDICATORS CAME BACK ON. THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT GET A CODE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ON WHEN THEY CHECKED IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-12 TIMES BUT ONLY DURING HOURS WHEN THE BUSINESS IS CLOSED. I LET MY LOCAL MECHANIC DRIVE IT FOR A WEEK AND IT NEVER HAPPENED WITH HIM. THIS IS VERY SPORADIC BUT DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS ENTRIES ON SLK FORUMS WITH OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.

Mileage: 49,500

20161209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWN A 2001 SLK320 MERCEDES BOUGHT IT A SECOND OWNER, IT HAD NO BRAKES LIGHT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, ELECTRIC SEATS NOT WORKING EITHER. REPLACED THE RELAY FOR SEATS BUT CAN'T GET TAIL LIGHTS TO WORK CHECK ON RECALL WAS NOT HONORED WHAT THE HECK. MERCEDES SHOULD FIX THESE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS THAT CONTINUE TO COST US BIG BUCKS TO FIX $600.00 EACH TIME BECOMES TO MUCH, LAST MERCEDES FOR ME OR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. MERCEDES STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT IT'S A SHAME WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITH A BIG COMPANY LIKE MERCEDES, I HOPE SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING TO CORRECT THESE ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THESE EXPENSIVE CARS.

20161209SEATS

I OWN A 2001 SLK320 MERCEDES BOUGHT IT A SECOND OWNER, IT HAD NO BRAKES LIGHT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, ELECTRIC SEATS NOT WORKING EITHER. REPLACED THE RELAY FOR SEATS BUT CAN'T GET TAIL LIGHTS TO WORK CHECK ON RECALL WAS NOT HONORED WHAT THE HECK. MERCEDES SHOULD FIX THESE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS THAT CONTINUE TO COST US BIG BUCKS TO FIX $600.00 EACH TIME BECOMES TO MUCH, LAST MERCEDES FOR ME OR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. MERCEDES STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT IT'S A SHAME WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITH A BIG COMPANY LIKE MERCEDES, I HOPE SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING TO CORRECT THESE ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THESE EXPENSIVE CARS.

20161209EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I OWN A 2001 SLK320 MERCEDES BOUGHT IT A SECOND OWNER, IT HAD NO BRAKES LIGHT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, ELECTRIC SEATS NOT WORKING EITHER. REPLACED THE RELAY FOR SEATS BUT CAN'T GET TAIL LIGHTS TO WORK CHECK ON RECALL WAS NOT HONORED WHAT THE HECK. MERCEDES SHOULD FIX THESE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS THAT CONTINUE TO COST US BIG BUCKS TO FIX $600.00 EACH TIME BECOMES TO MUCH, LAST MERCEDES FOR ME OR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. MERCEDES STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT IT'S A SHAME WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITH A BIG COMPANY LIKE MERCEDES, I HOPE SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING TO CORRECT THESE ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THESE EXPENSIVE CARS.

20160624SERVICE BRAKES

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE; THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THEY STOP WORKING. I HAVE THIS CAR SINCE 2006 AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE. BUT WHEN I WENT TO AUTOBAHN MOTORS IN BELMONT, CA, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THEM. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER MB DEALER THAT THE RECALL WAS FINISHED AND BY ANOTHER THAT THEY HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT SOME POINT (?); I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT THE BRAKE LIGHTS THEMSELVES BUT SOME MECHANISM THAT WAS FAULTY AND THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED EVERY 3 OR 4 MONTHS AND FEEL MB SHOULD DO IT SINCE IT WAS A RECALL AND THE LIGHTING MECHANISM SHOULD STAY FIXED.

20160624ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE; THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THEY STOP WORKING. I HAVE THIS CAR SINCE 2006 AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE. BUT WHEN I WENT TO AUTOBAHN MOTORS IN BELMONT, CA, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THEM. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER MB DEALER THAT THE RECALL WAS FINISHED AND BY ANOTHER THAT THEY HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT SOME POINT (?); I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT THE BRAKE LIGHTS THEMSELVES BUT SOME MECHANISM THAT WAS FAULTY AND THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED EVERY 3 OR 4 MONTHS AND FEEL MB SHOULD DO IT SINCE IT WAS A RECALL AND THE LIGHTING MECHANISM SHOULD STAY FIXED.

20160624EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE; THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THEY STOP WORKING. I HAVE THIS CAR SINCE 2006 AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE. BUT WHEN I WENT TO AUTOBAHN MOTORS IN BELMONT, CA, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THEM. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER MB DEALER THAT THE RECALL WAS FINISHED AND BY ANOTHER THAT THEY HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT SOME POINT (?); I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT THE BRAKE LIGHTS THEMSELVES BUT SOME MECHANISM THAT WAS FAULTY AND THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED EVERY 3 OR 4 MONTHS AND FEEL MB SHOULD DO IT SINCE IT WAS A RECALL AND THE LIGHTING MECHANISM SHOULD STAY FIXED.

20150825FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES WITH THE HARD TOP DOWN (CONVERTIBLE) ON MY WAY HOME THEN START SMELLING SOMETHING LIKE PLASTIC BURNING THEN NOTICE SOMEONE FROM BEHIND ME WAVING/HONKING HER HORN, I PULL MY CAR ASIDE AND A LOT OF SMOKE COMING INSIDE THE ENGINE HOOD, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW FLAME COMING OUT UNDERNEATH FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE.MY CAR IS TOTALLY ENGULF IN FLAMES.

Mileage: 52,500

20150207SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING IT, THE CAR WILL ACT LIKE I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT WILL COME ON. I AM NOT HITTING THE BRAKES WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I AM JUST DRIVING ALONG. *JS INITIALLY, THESE EVENTS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS, MORE RECENTLY IT HAPPENED AT 50MPH IN THE RAIN. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CONNECTION TO SPEED, ACCELERATION, TURNING, OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN RANDOM FAULTS. DEALER READ AN ESP CODE C1120-004, 016 ESP YAW SENSOR PLAUSIBILITY OCCURRED 1 TIME AND ERASED CODE. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION IN A SHORT TEST DRIVE. NEVERTHELESS, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT FREEWAY SPEED ON THE WAY HOME, AND AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY AT SLOW SPEED.

Mileage: 40,900

Compare 2001MERCEDES-BENZSLK320 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 have?
The 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 has 47 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320?
The most-complained component for the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 is SERVICE BRAKES with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.