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2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
23
Latest Feb 19, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
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.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1770.8%
  • Fuel system28.3%
  • Engine14.2%
  • Driver assistance14.2%
  • Powertrain (other)14.2%
  • Seat belts14.2%
  • Tires & wheels14.2%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed 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 · filed Jul 19, 2018
All 17 reports naming airbags

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 30, 2016

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 · filed May 22, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 22, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 21, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 23, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 22, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 10, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .