Total Complaints
2 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 · model year
2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320
2 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003MERCEDES-BENZSLK320 carries 2 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 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 2003 SLK320 is visibility/wiper with 1 filings, followed by exterior lighting:turn signal:switch (1). 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 2003 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.
2
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20231030EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The contact stated that while making a left or a right turn, the turn signal indicator failed to illuminate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring socket and an unknown part had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the mechanic of an unknown recall. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
20200909VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE INSIDE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS A BLACK LIQUID INHIBITING THE VIEW - AUTO DIMMING FLUID LEAKED OR SEPARATED??
Mileage: 130,000
Compare 2003MERCEDES-BENZSLK320 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 have?▼
The 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 has 2 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320?▼
The most-complained component for the 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 is VISIBILITY/WIPER with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH.
Is the 2003 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.