Mercedes Benz SLK Problems by Year
Mercedes Benz SLK years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical SLK year: 2001, 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2002 SLK: 25 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2001 SLK: 19 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2003 SLK: 9 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes Benz SLK problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| Power Train | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Steering | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes Benz SLK model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 SLK | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 2009 SLK | 2 | 1 | — | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | |
| 2008 SLK | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2007 SLK | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2006 SLK | 2 | 1 | — | Power Train | |
| 2005 SLK | 6 | 1 | — | Power Train | |
| 2004 SLK | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2003 SLK | 9 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2002 SLK | 25 | 2 | — | Visibility | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 SLK | 19 | 2 | — | Visibility | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 SLK | 3 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1999 SLK | 6 | 1 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1998 SLK | 2 | 1 | — | Electrical System |
More from Mercedes Benz: all Mercedes Benz models · Mercedes Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes Benz SLK years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2001 (19), 2002 (25) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical SLK year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes Benz SLK?
Visibility, with 16 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz SLK have?
3 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.