RoadVitals

2002 Mercedes-Benz Slk

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Oct 21, 2013
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Nov 1, 2005
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Slk, most frequently naming the visibility, brakes and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility826.7%
  • Brakes620.0%
  • Electrical516.7%
  • Driver assistance413.3%
  • Other / unspecified26.7%
  • Interior & seats13.3%
  • Steering13.3%
  • Tires & wheels13.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
05V505000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Nov 1, 2005
69,278 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2006080005View on NHTSA.gov
02V152000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Jun 13, 2002
27,863 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The remedy: 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.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE05051ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE LAMP FAILURE

Opened Sep 22, 2005
Closed Dec 2, 2005

IN ITS LETTER DATED OCTOBER 28, 2005, MERCEDES-BENZ USA STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY DEFECTIVE BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES IN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SLK VEHICLES.THE BASE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE MOVEMENT IN THE SOCKET-TO-BULB CONNECTION, WHICH MAY LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE SOCKET, AND FAILURE OF THE BULB TO ILLUMINATE.ALL REAR LAMP MODULES (WHICH CONTAIN BRAKE, TURN SIGNAL, TAIL AND BACKUP LAMPS) WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED REAR LAMP MODULES WITH A MORE HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL AND ENHANCED SOCKET HOLDER DESIGN TO WITHSTAND THE HEAT INSIDE THE REAR LAMP MODULE.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V505 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTSLed to recall 05V505000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 25
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Oct 21, 2013

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 SINCE THERE WERE SOME QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEMS, BUT NO MORE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548651
Incident
Oct 19, 2013
Mileage
61,714 mi
Visibility
Filed May 31, 2011

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 MIRROR. IT KEPT GETTING LARGER AND DIDN'T GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. NAIVELY, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE OUTSIDE HUMIDITY BUT I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. THIS MIRROR COSTS WAY TOO MUCH FOR THE TERRIBLE PERFORMANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10403887
Incident
May 10, 2007
Mileage
34,986 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 31, 2011

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 ISSUE A RECALL ON CARS CONTAINING THESE MIRRORS AND REPLACE THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10379632
Incident
Nov 10, 2010
Mileage
56,200 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 6, 2010

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 SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR OR THE ENTIRE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS CAN COST $100 TO $400 EACH TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPENS. THE UNPLANNED OPERATIONAL FLAW CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE CAR RANDOMLY WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WHEN MERGING OR TURNING IN TO TRAFFIC ONLY TO FIND MYSELF LIMPING IN FRONT OF A LARGE SUV BEARING DOWN ON ME. THERE IS A 5 SECOND OR MORE LAG UNTIL THE CAR STARTS TO RESPOND AGAIN. RESPONSE DOESN'T COME ON RIGHT AWAY BUT SLOWLY RAMPS UP TO THE NEEDED SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10369383
Incident
Nov 15, 2010
Mileage
69,500 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 9, 2010

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 PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST SHOWED A GLITCH IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE LOCAL MECHANIC IS CURRENTLY REPLACING THE COMPUTER WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. PREVIOUSLY THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE BAS/ESP LIGHT BUT THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT NO COST. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE DONE A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF THE CONSUMER A SMALL COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/22/11

NHTSA ID
10354704
Incident
Aug 30, 2010
Mileage
52,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2010

I BOUGHT A SLK 320 2002 MODEL AND WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT SIDE BRAKES SO VIOLENTLY THE TIRES SQUEAL, I AM AFRAID TO GET ON AN INTERSTATE, AND READING A LOT OF REVIEWS I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10348604
Incident
Aug 5, 2010
Mileage
87,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 29, 2010
Crash reported

MB SHOULD RECALL REARVIEW MIRRORS FOR 1998-2003 SLK. LOOKING AT ARTICLES OVER THE INTERNET, LOTS OF SLK OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, SO THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON ISSUE FOR THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE REARVIEW HAS AN AUTO DIM FEATURE, AND THIS MIRROR USUALLY LEAKS MAKING THE MIRROR VERY DARK WHERE YOUR CANNOT USE IT ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10340680
Incident
Jun 28, 2010
Mileage
61,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedVisibility
Filed Sep 7, 2009

THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 (R170 MODEL) IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY WHICH GREATLY ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY IN THE INTERIOR. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283058
Incident
Jan 15, 2009

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB-42-10-109

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AND OR HARDWARE CAN BEGIN TO CORRODE. INCLUDE ALL MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. *PE

033008

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / FAULT CODES FC1200 / FC1208 STORED IN ME-SFI CONTROL UNIT. MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL C230, C280, C350, SLK280, SLK350, CLK350, CLK550, E350, E550, CLS550, S600, AND SL550. EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE OR M273 ENGINE. *NJ UPDATED 8/28/08. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz Slk by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012001—
2010000—
2009210—
2008010—
2007010—
2006210—
2005610—
2004011—
2003911—
2002Viewing252146.2
2001192350.5
2000332—
1999610—
1998210—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.