2001 Mercedes Benz SLK Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other SLK years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK. That ranks 2nd out of 13 SLK model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is visibility (6 complaints, 32%), typically at around 33,000 miles. Complaints mention 4 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 19owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 6 | 32% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 16% | 85,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 11% | 137,350 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 11% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 11% | 29,005 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 11% | 121,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 5% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 5% | 83,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 5% | 110,700 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 5% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 5% | 79,200 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2001 Mercedes Benz SLK recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:brake lights
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Problem: 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.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Transmission malfunction (DP05007) — opened Nov 7, 2005, closed Mar 27, 2006.
- Brake lamp failure (PE05051) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Dec 2, 2005, led to recall 05V505000.
- Sudden engine shut down (SQ01010) — opened Sep 25, 2001, closed Feb 4, 2002.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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
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…
I have a 2001 slk320. There is a problem with the gas pedal assembly, specifically the throttle position sensor. The car does not accelerate for 5-6 seconds then surges. Lots of cars have this issue. Mb should issue a recall. *tr
Other Mercedes Benz SLK years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 SLK | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 SLK | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 SLK | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 SLK | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 SLK | 2 | 1 |
| 2005 SLK | 6 | 1 |
| 2004 SLK | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 SLK | 9 | 1 |
| 2002 SLK | 25 | 2 |
| 2001 | 19 | 2 |
| 2000 SLK | 3 | 2 |
| 1999 SLK | 6 | 1 |
| 1998 SLK | 2 | 1 |
See all Mercedes Benz SLK problems by year, every Mercedes Benz model, or the Mercedes Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK?
Owners most often report visibility, electrical system, electronic stability control (esc) problems. The top one, visibility, accounts for 6 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other SLK model years, the 2001 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.