RoadVitals

2005 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.
6
Latest Oct 5, 2011
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.
1
Latest Jul 7, 2008
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.
0
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Slk, most frequently naming the engine, transmission and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

  • Engine337.5%
  • Transmission337.5%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Powertrain (other)112.5%

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

1 campaign 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
08V303000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Jul 7, 2008
404 units potentially affected
The defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2008 070001View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 5, 2011

TOOK MY CAR IN, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THEN THE ENGINE WAS WINDING OUT REALLY HI ON THE TACHOMETER, MERCEDES SAID IT WAS THE VALVE BODY MODULE IN TRANSMISSION, OK- THEN THEY TOLD ME MY ENGINE BALANCE SHAFT WAS NOT WORKING AND THE LABOR WAS 5628.00 THEY HAVE NOT YET QUOTED ME A PRICE ON THE PARTS FOR EITHER ISSUE. SAID THE ENGINE WILL JUST SEIZE UP WHEN DRIVING, I LOOKED THIS UP ON INTERNET AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT GOING ON WITH THIS BALANCE SHAFT ISSUE.IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE THEY OVERLOOKED POSSIBLY ? MILES AS LOW AS 62K HAVING SAME ISSUE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10428838
Incident
Oct 4, 2011
Mileage
91,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Feb 18, 2007

[XXX] 2005 SLK 350 I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IT IS HARD TO GET INTO FIRST GEAR FROM NEUTRAL WHERE IT SLIPS INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER HAS NOT SO FAR BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS. I FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE IS A TSB ON THIS. THEY SAY UNLESS THE CAN DUPLICATE THIS THEY WILL NOT PROCEED WITH IT. I INFORMED THE DEALER EARLIER THAT I HAD A WRITTEN NOTE FROM MY FRIEND WHO WAS WITH ME ONCE WHEN IT HAPPENED, THEY DID NOT CARE. TSB TELLS THE DEALER IF YOU RECEIVE CUSTOMER REPORTS IN THE ABOVE MODEL VEHICLES OF FIRST OR REVERSE GEARS BEING DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE FROM NEUTRAL AND/OR THE SHIFTER CATCHING BETWEEN GEARS DURING THE UPSHIFT, THIS MAY BE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT NOT ALLOWING THE CLUTCH DISC TO MOVE FREELY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT HAPPENED FIVE TIMES. MERCEDES HAD THERE REGIONAL REP LOOK AT THE CAR AND HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT FOR THE SHORT DRIVE HE DID. THE TECH STATED THE SAME BUT THEN THIS IS THE SAME TECH WHO CLAIMED HE FIXED TWO OTHER PROBLEMS THAT WERE STILL A PROBLEM AS NOTED BY THE REGIONAL REP. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER, SARASOTA MERCEDES THE CAR DID THE SAME GOING INTO REVERSE AT A LIGHT FROM NEUTRAL AND I JUST MISSED AN ACCIDENT BACKING UP WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED WHILE THE CAR BEHIND ME WENT FORWARD. I WAS SO UPSET BY THIS I TRADED IN THE CAR ON THE WAY HOME KNOWING THAT THE DEALER AND MERCEDES HAD NO INTENTION OF RECTIFYING THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AS SHOWN BY THE TSB. MERCEDES AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO APPLY THE TSB BUT THEY REFUSED AND LET ME DRIVE AWAY WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WITH AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS IS INCOMPETENCE ON BOTH OF THEIR PARTS. THIS IS THE TSB NUMBER: P-26-50-02TITLE: MANUAL TRANS - FIRST OR REVERSE GEAR DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. IT USED TO BE ON THE INTERNET BUT AFTER I WROTE TO THE PRESIDENT/CEO, GENERAL MANAGER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE VP OF SALES AND MARKETING IT WAS REMOVED, THAT WAS THEIR RESPONSE TO MY PROBLEM. *NM UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C

NHTSA ID
10182887
Incident
Jan 11, 2007
Mileage
3,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 14, 2006
Crash reported

CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL AT STOP LIGHT AFTER I APPLY PRESSURE TO BRAKE TO STOP CAR. MUST STOP CAR FURTHER AWAY FROM CAR IN FRONT TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTACT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10176164
Incident
Sep 27, 2006
Transmission
Filed May 30, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50MPH AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE GOES TO NEUTRAL AND LOOSES POWER. THE VEHICLE MUST BE PUT INTO PARK, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO REGAIN POWER. THERE IS NOT A DELAY FROM THE TIME IT IS TURNED OFF UNTIL START UP. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE ETC ON MAY 16TH, THE PROBLEM RETURNED ON MAY 27, 2006. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH A SERVICE ADVISOR WHO EXPLAINED THEY NEED TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE REGARDING THE ISSUE BEFORE THEY INSPECT THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE SALES DEALER BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE SALES DEALER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SERVICE DEALER NEAR THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE VEHICLE IS A CLK320.*AK

NHTSA ID
10158579
Incident
May 27, 2006
Mileage
10,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Dec 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CAR WAS BURNING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE USED TWO QUARTS OF OIL AT ONLY 5, 500 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE VALVES WERE NOT SEATED. ALSO, AT TIMES WHILE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE IT WILL ONLY REV THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, THEY TOLD HER THE NEXT TIME THIS OCCURRED TO SHUT THE ENGINE BY PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNING THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO MAKE ANY CORRECTIONS. *AK UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TOT HE DEALER ON 1/26/2006 AND TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER. ON 1/26/2006 THE VEHICLE AGAIN SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING FORWARD WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 6 DAYS AT WHICH TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10146300
Incident
Feb 1, 2005
Mileage
6,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2005

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION 7 - 8 QUARTS IN 6800 MILES . *NM

NHTSA ID
10137393
Incident
Apr 14, 2005
Mileage
1,846 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

SB-59783

AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

MERCEDES-BENZ: THERE ARE ELECTRICAL PRODUCTION QUALITY ISSUES THAT CAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *RM

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

PB-35-31-05

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

MERCEDES BENZ: MODEL 171.454, 456 (2005-2008) SLK CLASS; 204.054, 056, 081 (2008) C CLASS; 211.022, 056, 072, 087, 090 (2006-2008) E CLASS. VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN 2/21/08 AND 4/3/08 WITH DIFFERENTIAL SERIAL NUMBER 1824214 TO 1865328. CLUNKING NOISE DURING LOAD CHANGE AT REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL. *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

276077

POWER TRAIN

HARSH ENGAGEMENT WHEN SHIFTING. *TT

2006010004

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INSPECT ROUTING OF ENGINE FAN WIRING HARNESS AND CORRECT IF NECESSARY. *TT

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—
2005Viewing610—
2004011—
2003911—
2002252146.2
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.