2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually came to a rolling stop on the side of the road. In addition, the parking brake was activated; however, but failed to activate as intended. The contact stated that the low brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The contact refilled the brake fluid reservoir. The contact stated that the vehicle was almost involved in two crashes because of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was serviced a year prior for an extended warranty repair to prevent suspension corrosion. The contact stated that the dealer advised the contact not to drive the vehicle due to evidence of brake line corrosion. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

NHTSA ID

11683949

Incident

Aug 22, 2024

Mileage

171,000 mi

The brake lines are rusted from the rear sub Frame that was rusted And caused an accident. They told me the sub frame was the only item covered but that they could only bolt it and not weld if and then the exhaust and brake lines (rusted too bad to describe) weren’t covered and since I couldn’t afford it they only repaired the subframe and left the rest hanging ! My brakes failed on the way home. No one was injured but I can’t believe they let me go home with that condition!

NHTSA ID

11608172

Incident

Aug 13, 2023

the conductor plate along with its speed sensor is faulty. Luckily I just exit the highway, the transmission just stopped working, can't drive forward or reverse and when I apply gas on either D or R, just the RPM speed up as if the car is in neutral. I was stranded on the middle of the road. this happened a few time. after turning off the car and turn it back on usually reset it for a little bit. the first time, I have to replace the transmission.

NHTSA ID

11592159

Incident

Aug 5, 2023

transmission lines popping off popped off at 60 miles per hour tensed me up it stared smoking pushed the safety hazzard lights on and was able to limp it off the highway its happened 3 times after i repaired them afraid to even drive it now.no no no

NHTSA ID

11548815

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

As i was driving (on a bridge) the convertible top/roof gushed and dumped an incredible amount of hydraulic fluid/oil right in my face unexpectedly! This came out of the blue. I had just raised it since it began to rain. The combination of raining weather and being on a one lane bridge and then having that spew into my face rendered me unable to see and had Me swerving almost off the bridge as the other lane had vehicles driving. I almost wrecked and was left with highly painful eyes. In truth it could have lead to death without question had I not had a towel in my passenger seat to wipe my face. I’m now terrified to drive it but have to. Please help, especially if any others are having the same issue, which seems to be the case. I could have had an accident or worse had an accident with others and off of the bridge!

NHTSA ID

11546292

Incident

Sep 25, 2023

My vehicle has excessive rust issues that I’m being told by the dealership will compromise my safety. There is currently an extension of warranty for only the subframe in rear, but the rust is extended beyond that and is applied to the components needed to be removed in order to replace the subframe. Such as the exhaust pipe and brake lines as well. All are corroded to a high degree up to and including complete brittle material Disintegration. Exhaust and rear brake line cost make it impossible for me to have the vehicle brought back to safely drivable conditions. I have to get to work daily or my family will not eat or have a roof but at a cost of more than what the car is even worth I have no choice but to choose and compromise my safety and those around me or food and shelter for my family. Please help.

NHTSA ID

11544770

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

improper heat treatment of the balance shaft spocket causing the balance shaft to worn out resulting in advance timing of the CAM. Mercedes acknowledges it's an known issue but don't cover cost of fixing it. Once ecu detected timing is off, it will stop the transmission from accelerating without any warning. Happened to me on a highway, good thing the car still have some momentum and was able to pull to the shoulder while others cars are coming from behind.

NHTSA ID

11537700

Incident

Jul 24, 2023

The rear subframe is corroded to the point of about to fall off and subsequently anything that is attached. Mercedes has extended a warranty on the subframe which is excellent, but only the subFrame? What about the touching bits like the bolts and screws among other items that are connected to it. So now because I cannot afford the $5,000.00 needed for the other rusted pieces that are brittle and likely to fall off when the subframe is replaced, then they won’t do it. So I must jeapordize my safety as I have to get to school and work.

NHTSA ID

11533695

Incident

Jul 21, 2023

A few days after a scheduled service visit at a local Mercedes-Benz (MB) dealer I noticed a creaking sound coming from the rear of my 2005 SLK350 that continued to get louder as time went by. I scheduled another appointment for post-inspection and I received the unfortunate news that corrosion of the subframe had resulted in a critical fracture rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive and that I was actually lucky to have not been involved in an accident from the mechanical failure. It is clear from the undercarriage photos that corrosion was localized to subframe junctions where other areas/parts in the vicinity did not experience debilitating fracture damage. I was surprised that a recently-serviced vehicle was now deemed unsafe to drive and required an entire rear subframe replacement. After some further investigation online (via forums, etc.) this appears to be a prominent issue with the R171 generation of rear subframes where corrosion protection was not applied to the steel subframe interior during manufacturing, which results in corrosion from the inside out, and thus by the time the problem is visually evident it is much too late from a life safety standpoint.

NHTSA ID

11469622

Incident

Mar 12, 2021

THE FUEL GAUGE IS WORKING ERRATICALLY. AFTER FILLING UP WITH FUEL, GAUGE SHOWS 3/4 FULL. NEXT MORNING, SHOWS FULL. AFTER DRIVING 25 MILES INTO WORK, FUEL GAUGE SHOW 1/4 FULL. END OF THE DAY, FUEL GAUGE SHOWS 1/2 FULL OR EMPTY. THE READING CAN BE ALMOST ANYWHERE AND IS UNRELIABLE. I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO TRACKING MILEAGE AND FILLING UP BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. THE CAR HAS RUN OUT OF FUEL ON A FEW OCCASIONS CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE POWER AND SPEED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328196

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

Mileage

76,000 mi

REAR SUBFRAME RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. DUE TO POOR DESIGN, THERE IS AN ARCH THAT HOLDS WATER IN AND THE WATER CAN'T GET OUT CAUSING IT RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. SEARCHING MERCEDES ONLINE FORUMS, THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM LOTS OF PEOPLE PROBLEM AND MERCEDES DENIES THIS PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT IF I DON'T REPLACE IT. HTTPS://WWW.SLKWORLD.COM/SEARCH/55011/?Q=SUBFRAME&O=RELEVANCE HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?Q=MERCEDES+SUBFRAME+RUST&OQ=MERCEDES+SUBFRAME+RU&AQS=CHROME.1.69I57J0L3.10211J0J7&CLIENT=MS-ANDROID-HUAWEI-REV1&SOURCEID=CHROME-MOBILE&IE=UTF-8 THE FOLLOWING PERSONS CAR WAS FLIPPED WHILE IN THE HIGH WAY. HTTPS://WWW.SLKWORLD.COM/THREADS/REAR-SUBFRAME-R171.553156

NHTSA ID

11307869

Incident

Feb 1, 2020

SIDE MARKER BULBS CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. PURCHASED CAR IN 2012, AND EVERY ANNUAL INSPECTION NEED TO REPLACE BULBS. BUT AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS, THEY BURN OUT AGAIN. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC WIRING IN LIGHT ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE. COST TO REPLACE ASSEMBLY ESTIMATED $150 PER SIDE/$300 FOR BOTH - EXCLUDING LABOR. IF ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE, FEEL I SHOULD NOT ABSORB COST TO REPLACE. AN OBVIOUS MERCEDES DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

11103092

Incident

Jul 31, 2013

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE ARM REST COMPARTMENT. TRACED THE LINE BACK TO REAR TIRES AND NOTHING ELECTRICAL COULD BE SEEN TOUCHING BRAKE CABLE LINE. SO NO OBVIOUS REASON WHY CABLE WOULD IGNITE. I WAS PARKED IN CAR PORT STALL AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO A FRIENDS HOUSE.

NHTSA ID

11047045

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

10743294

Incident

Oct 2, 2014

Mileage

30,000 mi

JUST GOT OFF THE HIGH WAY AND DRIVE ONTO A LOCAL STREET, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR FORWARD OR REVERSE. END UP HAVING TO TOW THE CAR. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE I WAS AT THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10667301

Incident

Dec 6, 2014

Mileage

67,501 mi

IGNITION SWITCHES INADVERTENTLY TURN FROM "RUN" TO "ACCESSORY" POSITION WHILE CAR IS DRIVEN AND I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO KEEP GOING. I WOKE UP TO READ IN THE NEWSPAPER TODAY (2/28/2014) THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE GM FAULTED IGNITION DEATHS AND THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IS IN MY CAR AND STILL EXISTS IN THIS VEHICLE. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT IT SCARES ME. I TOLD THE LOCAL NEW CAR DEALERSHIP ON THIS AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2,000.00 TO FIX IT AND I SHOULD WAIT TILL IT GETS WORSE BEFORE FIXING IT. PLEASE ADVISE ON ANY HELP I CAN GET BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.I BELIEVE YOU ARE THE RIGHT AGENCY TO HELP ME ON THIS I WILL GLADLY SURRENDER THIS CAR FOR YOUR INSPECTION.. THANK YOU. CC:MY ATTORNEY *TR

NHTSA ID

10566444

Incident

Feb 1, 2011

Mileage

35,000 mi

FIRST INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN (MALIBU CANYON ROAD) AROUND 10:30PM AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF GEAR BY ITSELF AND I HAD NO FORWARD CONTROL. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGED. I WAS GOING DOWNHILL BUT IT TOOK ME AWHILE TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO CELLPHONE SERVICE IN THAT LOCATION SO I WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES TO FLAG SOMEONE DOWN. NO ONE CAME BY SO I RESTARTED MY CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK INTO GEAR. THE SECOND INCIDENT MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE 101 FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED FROM DRIVE AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WE NEARLY GOT REAR ENDED AND BY LUCK WERE ABLE TO COAST TO AN OFF RAMP. UPON REACHING THE BOTTOM OF THE OFF RAMP, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED A MINUTE AND UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE I WAS ABLE TO REENGAGE IT IN DRIVE. THE THIRD TIME BEFORE I DECIDED TO BRING IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER, I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON THOUSAND OAKS BLVD. AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD TO PULL OVER INTO THE RIGHT LANE, CURB THE CAR AND SHUT OFF THE MOTOR. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO BUT IT BACK INTO GEAR. ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE WITHIN A 1 1/2 MONTH PERIOD AND I CANNOT TRUST THE CAR TO BE SAFE ANY LONGER WITH THIS CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10482114

Incident

Sep 4, 2012

Mileage

45,000 mi

ON FEBRUARY 18/2011 AND WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 SLK 350 START SHAKING AND THE LIGHT "CHECK ENGINE" TURNED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS RETURNED A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS OK. THERE IS/ WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND THE LIGHT WAS RESET TO NORMAL. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE CAR START SHAKING AGAIN AND THE LIGHT "CHECK ENGINE" WAS ON AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKING TO MERCEDES DEALER AND SAME ANSWER THE CAR IS OK OR WE HAVE NOT FOUND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND THE LIGHT WAS RESET BACK TO NORMAL...WELL, IT HAD HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. TODAY IS MARCH, 31ST AND THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT KEEPS SHAKING AND I FEEL VERY MUCH UNSAFE. I AM DRIVING A VERY EXPENSIVE CAR AND I CAN'T ACCEPT AND I WILL NOT ACCEPT THE IDEA THAT I SHOULD BE DRIVING A CAR THAT DOES NOT MAKE ME FEEL SAFE. THE SERVICE AT THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN GOOD. THEY HAVE TAKING MY CAR FROM MY OFFICE AND BROUGHT ME A LOANER CAR AND THEY ARE KIND TO ME AND I DO APPRECIATE THAT A LOT; BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, I FEEL THAT IF THE TECHNICIAN CAN'T NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG AND WHY MY SAFETY SHOULD BE EXPOSE. WHY AM I DRIVING AN EXPENSIVE CAR THAT IT IS NOT RELIABLE AND IT IS GIVING ME ADDITIONAL STRESS THAT I DON'T NEED. MY QUESTION IS: IS MERCEDES INDEED A RELIABLE CAR? WHY AM I NOT HAVING A PEACE OF MIND WHILE DRIVING? WHAT KIND OF DANGER AM I EXPOSE TO WHILE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON? WHY AM I DRIVING A CAR THAT IS SHAKING? HOW MUCH PATIENCE SHOULD I HAVE? WHY DO I NEED TO PAY ANYTHING EXTRA FOR A CAR THAT THEIR OWN MANUFACTURER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS? WHAT IS MERCEDES DOING FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CLIENTS? MERCEDES HAD CALLED ME TODAY AND THEY WILL PICK UP MY CAR TOMORROW AND "SPENT" MORE TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE DOING THIS LAST 4 TIMES THE CAR WHERE TAKING TO THE SHOP. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10393907

Incident

Feb 18, 2005

Mileage

52,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THERE WAS PLENTY OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE DURING BOTH FAILURES. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED ONCE IT SHUT OFF. DURING THE SECOND FAILURE, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE CENTER LANE OF A BUSY ROAD. AS A RESULT, HIS VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. FLORIDA PALM BEACH GARDEN POLICE REPORT NUMBER 06569673 WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AFTER BOTH FAILURES, BUT THEY COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO START. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2009 AND THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON MARCH 16, 2009. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE BODY SHOP SINCE MARCH 17, 2009. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE ELECTED NOT TO SPEAK TO THE CONTACT. HE WAS INFORMED BY WORKERS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT LOCATED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,851 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 06/27/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED 2005 SLK REPORTEDLY SUFFERS FROM A FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM WHICH CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10270108

Incident

Feb 24, 2009

Mileage

56,851 mi

I BOUGHT A CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2004 FROM MERCEDES BENZ AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL A YEAR LATER. I STARTED TO GET TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THE CAR WOULD START JERKING WHEN I COME TO A STOP, AND THE RPM ON THE CAR WOULD GO HIGHER THAN NORMAL WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PETAL AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO AUTOBAHN NUMEROUS OF TIMES TO TRY AND GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING AND NEVER SEEMS TO BE FIXED COMPLETELY. THE FIRST TIME AROUND THEY HAD REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION, AND FIXED THE TAP THREADS ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION HOUSING, THE SECOND TIME AROUND THEY UPDATED OUR SOFTWARE AND CONTROL UNIT, AND THE THIRD TIME THEY CHECKED OUR CONTROL UNIT, INSTALLED A ELECTROHYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT, THE FORTH TIME AROUND THEY DID A ADAPTATION PERFORM, AND CHECKED OUR OIL LEVEL, SOFTWARE, BATTERY CHARGER, AND THEN THE FIFTH TIME THEY INSTALLED A NEW ELECTROHYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT, AND DID ANOTHER ADAPTATION PERFORM AND THAT DID NOT WORK SO THEY REPLACED OUR TRANSMISSION AGAIN, AND NOW IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10197418

Incident

Jun 14, 2006

Mileage

20,723 mi

4/3/2007. 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 350. CONSUMER STATES THAT OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL AT A STOP LIGHT IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO GO INTO FIRST GEAR. *MC THE CONSUMER STATED HE SOMETIMES HAS TO APPLY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE STICK, AND WHEN DOING SO THE STICK GOES INTO REVERSE. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY, THEREFORE, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS COMPLAINT. A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10186885

Incident

Jan 1, 1901