2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 Owner Complaints

I am the owner of a 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 with VIN: [XXX]. My vehicle was part of the Takata airbag recall, but the airbags were never replaced. Currently, the NHTSA recall status for my VIN shows "no active recalls," even though the repair was not completed. This creates a serious safety risk. I request that NHTSA investigate why my VIN is marked as remedied or closed despite the airbags not being replaced. I urge NHTSA to take appropriate action to ensure the recall is properly addressed for my vehicle and others in similar situations. Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11719266

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

TAKATA RECALL. THERE WAS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN TO RECALL MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS-- NUMBER 16V081000. I WAS CONTACTED BY MAIL NUMEROUS TIMES MY MERCEDES NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, INDICATING THERE WAS A RECALL AND THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG WAS ON ORDER. THEY INDICATED I WOULD BE CONTACTED LATER WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE AT MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER. I WAS CONTACTED LOCALLY AND THEY SAID THE PART WAS ON ORDER, I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN IT ARRIVED. NO NOTIFICATION OCCURRED. RECENTLY I CALLED THE DEALER'S PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY INDICATED THEY HAD MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAG IN STOCK. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY INDICATED "THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN CLOSED" (AS OF MARCH 2018). I CALLED THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE CAMPAIGN WAS CLOSED. THEIR REASON WAS THAT THEY HAD DONE AN "EXPERIMENT" ON MERCEDES SLKS AND DETERMINED THAT A RECALL WAS NOT NEEDED. THAT IS, THEY CHANGED THEIR MINDS ABOUT THE TAKATA AIRBAG IN THE CAR. I AM CHECKING WITH YOU TO VERIFY THAT MERCEDES WAS PERMITTED BY YOU TO CLOSE THEIR TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL FOR THE MERCEDES 2007 SLK 280 MODEL AND THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I ALSO NOTE THAT NATIONAL MERCEDES NEVER CONTACTED ME REGARDING THE CLOSING OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

NHTSA ID

11112365

Incident

Jul 19, 2018

Mileage

29,000 mi

I REMAIN UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT TAKEDA AIRBAGS FROM MERCEDES BENZ FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. WHEN I LAST FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA ON 12/26/2017 (COMPLAINT NUMBER 11056636) I WAS INFORMED BY MERCEDES, [XXX] , VP CUSTOMER SERVICES THAT MY CAR REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS WOULD BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 30, 2018 AND THAT MERCEDES WOULD BE CALLING ME TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT FOR "REPLACEMENT FREE AIRBAGS".TO BE INSTALLED IN MY CAR-NO CALL, NO AIRBAGS. I HAVE WAITED 3 YEARS. MY CARE REMAINS IN MY GARAGE. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT PROTECTING ME AGAINST A FOREIGN COMPANY DOING HARM IN AMERICA, TAKEDA-WHO KNEW THE AIRBAGS WERE DANGEROUS WHEN THEY SOLD ME MY $56,000 USELESS CAR SITTING IN MY GARAGE, 2007 SLK WITH 12, 600 MILES ON IT. IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT FOR MERCEDES AND TAKEDA TO MAKE A PROFIT THAN FOR ME TO BE IN A SAFE CAR. I NEED ASSISTANCE TO OBTAIN SAFE AIRBAGS FOR MY CAR SO THAT I WILL NOT BE ANOTHER STATISTIC FOR TAKEDA-NO JOKE. PLEASE DO NOT LET THEM OFF THE HOOK. THEY MUST BE HELD RESPONSIBLE/ACCOUNTABLE. MY CAR IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR 3 YEARS! HELP ME PLEASE. THANK YOU, [XXX] , MD, PHD, JD INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11101507

Incident

Jun 12, 2018

Mileage

12,600 mi

2007 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 280. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID

11097368

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS CITY, MO), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

NHTSA ID

11093975

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

I AM UNABLE TO GET REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS AND WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I CALLED 2 DEALERSHIPS TODAY, AGAIN (MERCEDES BENZ MASSAPEQUA AND ROCKVILLE CENTER) AND NEITHER HAS RECEIVED THE AIRBAGS FROM TAKEDA.

NHTSA ID

11056636

Incident

Dec 26, 2017

Mileage

11,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ID

11055600

Incident

Apr 1, 2007

Mileage

12 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SULLIVAN-PARKHILL IMPORTS (401 W MARKETVIEW DR, CHAMPAIGN, IL) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11052834

Incident

Feb 11, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: THE MERCADES DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS AND DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THEY MIGHT BE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11045805

Incident

Nov 13, 2017

TAKATA RECALL EITHER THESE AIRBAGS ARE SAFE AND THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE RESCINDED OR THE AIRBAGS ARE UNSAFE? IF DEEMED UNSAFE THEN ALL INVENTORIES AND PRODUCTION NEEDS TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. AIRBAG PRODUCTION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO CORRECT THIS RECALL INSTEAD OF NEW CAR PRODUCTION. COULD THIS BE A STALL TACTIC BY THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS? EVERY YEAR THAT PASSES A CERTAIN % OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES END THEIR USEFUL LIVES. MANUFACTURERS THEREFORE RECOGNIZE A LOWER REPLACEMENT COST. EVEN THOUGH A LARGE MONETARY SETTLEMENT WAS DIRECTED TO THE MANUFACTURERS. IF THERE IS A DECISION TO BE MADE REGARDING SAFETY, THEN THERE IS NO DECISION TO BE MADE- ALWAYS TAKE THE SAFE COURSE. ORDER ALL AIRBAG PRODUCTION TO BE DIRECTED TO THIS RECALL! FIX THIS PROBLEM! THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11040331

Incident

Oct 27, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. I STOPPED BY MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS RECALL. ACCORDING TO JAMES MOTOR CO. LEXINGTON, KY, CURRENTLY THERE ISN'T A REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE. THAT JAMES MOTOR CO. WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT. AFTER RECEIVING A NOTIFICATION FROM TK HOLDINGS INC. I SEE WHERE THEY ARE FILING CHAPTER 11. I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY NOT WANT TO MAKE THE REPLACEMENT. I WENT TO TAKATA.COM, TKRESTRUCTURING.COM BOTH OF WHICH DID NOT WORK. THESE INTERNET ADDRESSES WERE LISTED ON THE FLYER I RECEIVED FROM TK HOLDINGS INC. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO PROCEED. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11039209

Incident

Oct 13, 2017

Mileage

93,000 mi

2007 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 280. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG REPAIR COSTS ISSUES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD COST $665 TO ACCESS THE AIR BAG. *JB

NHTSA ID

10935788

Incident

Dec 1, 2016

NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED SINCE BEING NOTIFIED IN APRIL OF THE RECALL. RECALL#16V-081

NHTSA ID

10936378

Incident

Apr 29, 2016

Mileage

69,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. MY VEHICLE IS A 2007. HOW MUCH LONGER WILL IT TAKE FOR MERCEDES TO MAKE A RECALL AND RECTIFY THE AIRBAGS THAT PRESENTS A POTENTIAL AND DANGEROUS HAZARD? I WANT PEACE OF MIND AND IT IS DISTRESSING AND STRESSFUL TO KNOW THAT THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR PRESENT SUCH A HAZARD TO MY LIFE AND SAFETY. LOS ANGELES DOES EXPERIENCE HUMID AND HOT WEATHER ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER TIME. TAKATA AND MERCEDES BENZ OUGHT TO MAKE THOSE LIVING IN LOS ANGELES ONE OF THE PRIORITIES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10934320

Incident

Aug 1, 2007

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10908292

Incident

Feb 3, 2016

TAKATA RECALL, AT 64,000 MILES THE FUEL PUMP WENT BAD ON 2007 SLK280. CAR DROVE 20MILES AT MOST A DAY. TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND HAD IT STALLED EVERY TEMPTED.

NHTSA ID

10899518

Incident

Aug 30, 2016

Mileage

64,000 mi

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STOPS SHIFTING LEAVING VEHICLE IN 3RD GEAR. ERROR CODE P2767 AND P2768. CREATES DANGEROUS CONDITION ON FREEWAYS SURROUNDED BY SPEEDING CARS. DEALER SAYS ONLY THEY CAN FIX FOR ALMOST $2000.00 DOLLARS.

NHTSA ID

10870912

Incident

May 19, 2016

Mileage

105,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH A PASSENGER AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INSTRUCTING TO TAKE CAR FOR SERVICE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND NO OBJECT WAS STRUCK. MERCEDES MECHANIC ADVISED THAT AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THIS FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. MECHANIC STATED FAILURE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOUNDS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HONDA'S LATEST PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10758525

Incident

Aug 15, 2014

Mileage

90,125 mi

CAR MADE LOUD NOISE THEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I HAVE READ ALOT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THESE TRANSMISSION HAVING ISSUES. DEALER NOR MERCEDES BENZ (CORPORATE) IN NJ WOULD EVEN ASSIST TO FIND OUT WHAT OR WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES AND REALLY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE ONE BIT. THEY WERE RUDE AND UNBELIEVABLY IRRESPONSIBLE ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT PUTTING ALL OF THE COST ( $7500.00 ) BILL SQUARE ON THE CUSTOMER. I KNOW THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEMS. ITS THEIR PRODUCT. THEY NEED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. WELL CRAFTED TRANSMISSION REPLACING AT 69,000 MILES MAKES NO SENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10649435

Incident

Oct 1, 2014

Mileage

69,015 mi

THE EXHAUST ACTUATORS WERE DETERMINED BAD AND REPLACED NOW AT 47,000MILES THEY ARE BAD AGAIN AND NOT WARRANTIED AS THE STATE I RESIDE IN DOES REQUIRE EMISSIONS CONTROL INSPECTION AND MERCEDES IS AWARE THERE IS A DEFECT THIS SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL. I HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER WITH MERCEDES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10513104

Incident

Jan 18, 2010

Mileage

28,865 mi

HORN CONTINUES TO BLOW. DEALER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DUST BUILD-UP. TOLD THAT IT WILL TAKE $1,400 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY THE HORN RELAY IS DISCONNECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10382967

Incident

Feb 2, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IDLE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SOFTWARE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,493. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,512.

NHTSA ID

10326787

Incident

Apr 1, 2010

Mileage

13,493 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN PILOT, SIZE 245/40R17 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ROCKING AND SHAKING. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS SPLIT AT THE SEAM. MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CHANGED THE TIRE. SHE WAS INFORMED BY MERCEDES THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRE AND SUGGESTED THAT SHE DROVE OVER SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,000.

NHTSA ID

10205362

Incident

Oct 5, 2007

Mileage

7,000 mi