RoadVitals

2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 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.
10
Latest Dec 5, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
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 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320, 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

  • Brakes535.7%
  • Exterior lighting321.4%
  • Driver assistance214.3%
  • Visibility214.3%
  • Electrical17.1%
  • Engine17.1%

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

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE BAS/ESP LIGHT AND SUDDEN BRAKING JUST OCCURRED TODAY(10.11.16) ON OUR 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 320. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN ABOUT AN HOUR OF DRIVING ON CITY STREETS BETWEEN 15 AND 45 MPH. ONE OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, THE OTHER TWO HAPPENED WHILE CHANGING LANES IN MOVING TRAFFIC. THE EXPERIENCE TODAY WAS THAT THE CAR HAD A BRIEF MOMENTARY HARD BRAKING. FIRST ON THE LEFT FRONT AND THEN THE RIGHT FRONT (2 SEPARATE TIMES). EACH WAS A SEPARATE INCIDENT AND EACH TIME THE BAS/ESP LIGHT LIT UP AFTERWARD. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THE SLK LINE AND POSSIBLY EXTENDS TO OTHER MODELS. IN MERCEDES BENZ ONLINE COMMUNITIES, MANY OTHERS HAVE STATED EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE APPARENTLY NUMEROUS POTENTIAL REMEDIES. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE CULPRITS(S) COULD BE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, NUMEROUS SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING. I.E.: YAW SENSOR, LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, BAS RELEASE SWITCH, MAF SENSOR, ROTATIONAL SPEED SENSOR, TO NAME A FEW. THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING OFTEN ENOUGH TO DEMAND A RECALL.

NHTSA ID 10915378 · filed Oct 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE REAR AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS AUTOMATICALLY DIMMED IN LIGHTING CAUSING IT HARDER TO VIEW THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ UPDATED 10/31/2017*CN

NHTSA ID 10730534 · filed Jun 26, 2015

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

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Previous recall 05V505 has been completed but the issue has returned the issue has been intermittent for a fee months but the tail light has been non op for a few months, i have tried different sockets and bulbs to no avail. The issue has not caused any incidents but i have no brake light on the drivers side due to melting on the lamp itself aswell as the pins on the connector are warped

NHTSA ID 11703211 · filed Dec 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message that the rear light had malfunctioned was displayed. Upon inspection, it was discovered that while depressing the brake pedal, the driver’s side brake light failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the rear lamp module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V505000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 106,000.

NHTSA ID 11524795 · filed Jun 1, 2023

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE BAS/ESP LIGHT AND SUDDEN BRAKING JUST OCCURRED TODAY(10.11.16) ON OUR 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 320. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN ABOUT AN HOUR OF DRIVING ON CITY STREETS BETWEEN 15 AND 45 MPH. ONE OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, THE OTHER TWO HAPPENED WHILE CHANGING LANES IN MOVING TRAFFIC. THE EXPERIENCE TODAY WAS THAT THE CAR HAD A BRIEF MOMENTARY HARD BRAKING. FIRST ON THE LEFT FRONT AND THEN THE RIGHT FRONT (2 SEPARATE TIMES). EACH WAS A SEPARATE INCIDENT AND EACH TIME THE BAS/ESP LIGHT LIT UP AFTERWARD. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THE SLK LINE AND POSSIBLY EXTENDS TO OTHER MODELS. IN MERCEDES BENZ ONLINE COMMUNITIES, MANY OTHERS HAVE STATED EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE APPARENTLY NUMEROUS POTENTIAL REMEDIES. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE CULPRITS(S) COULD BE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, NUMEROUS SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING. I.E.: YAW SENSOR, LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, BAS RELEASE SWITCH, MAF SENSOR, ROTATIONAL SPEED SENSOR, TO NAME A FEW. THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING OFTEN ENOUGH TO DEMAND A RECALL.

NHTSA ID 10915378 · filed Oct 11, 2016

SUDDENLY, FOR NO REASON, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ACTIVATED, CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THIS RELEASED WITHIN A SECOND. I STOPPED AND RESTARTED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. SEVERAL SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. I CALLED MERCEDES ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY WANTED ME TO TAKE IT TO DEALER AND PAY THE DEALER TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE OVER TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY A FEW MONTHS AGO. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS. THIS CAUSES A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN. I DO NOT DO KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND IF IT IS, WHAT FIXED IT. THIS IS KNOW ISSUE TO MERCEDES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10576072 · filed Mar 31, 2014

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as it went into Limp mode. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he had replaced the spark plugs and the accelerator pedal; however, the failure persisted, and the engine was misfiring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the PCM, the speed sensor, and the ignition coil were malfunctioning. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the defroster had failed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ID 11513974 · filed Mar 27, 2023

THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE LEAKED OUT PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE OF THE CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT CAUSES THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS. THIS INABILITY TO DIM CAUSES ME TO BE BLINDED FORCING ME TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY WHICH ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY WHILE UNDERWAY. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING.

NHTSA ID 10474354 · filed Sep 8, 2012

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

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE BAS/ESP LIGHT AND SUDDEN BRAKING JUST OCCURRED TODAY(10.11.16) ON OUR 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 320. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN ABOUT AN HOUR OF DRIVING ON CITY STREETS BETWEEN 15 AND 45 MPH. ONE OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, THE OTHER TWO HAPPENED WHILE CHANGING LANES IN MOVING TRAFFIC. THE EXPERIENCE TODAY WAS THAT THE CAR HAD A BRIEF MOMENTARY HARD BRAKING. FIRST ON THE LEFT FRONT AND THEN THE RIGHT FRONT (2 SEPARATE TIMES). EACH WAS A SEPARATE INCIDENT AND EACH TIME THE BAS/ESP LIGHT LIT UP AFTERWARD. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THE SLK LINE AND POSSIBLY EXTENDS TO OTHER MODELS. IN MERCEDES BENZ ONLINE COMMUNITIES, MANY OTHERS HAVE STATED EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE APPARENTLY NUMEROUS POTENTIAL REMEDIES. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE CULPRITS(S) COULD BE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, NUMEROUS SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING. I.E.: YAW SENSOR, LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, BAS RELEASE SWITCH, MAF SENSOR, ROTATIONAL SPEED SENSOR, TO NAME A FEW. THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING OFTEN ENOUGH TO DEMAND A RECALL.

NHTSA ID 10915378 · filed Oct 11, 2016

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 contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as it went into Limp mode. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he had replaced the spark plugs and the accelerator pedal; however, the failure persisted, and the engine was misfiring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the PCM, the speed sensor, and the ignition coil were malfunctioning. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the defroster had failed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ID 11513974 · filed Mar 27, 2023

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 .