Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 19 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Visibility. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
25 reports
15,000 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Seats
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT ELECTRIC SEATS FAIL TO OPERATE UPON FIRST ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE SEATS CANNOT BE MOVED UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED AND DRIVEN. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT ELECTRIC SEATS FAIL TO OPERATE UPON FIRST ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE SEATS CANNOT BE MOVED UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED AND DRIVEN. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #10200429
25,000 miles · Jan 31, 2007
Exterior LightingVisibility
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO FOR MY 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 320 DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE / STOP LIGHT DESIGN. THE LEFT STOP LIGHT BULB HAD ALREADY BURNED OUT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, AND THE SOCKET WAS WARPED FROM THE HEAT. IT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE NEW BULB FAILED AGAIN THIS MONTH. TODAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I PURCH…
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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO FOR MY 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 320 DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE / STOP LIGHT DESIGN. THE LEFT STOP LIGHT BULB HAD ALREADY BURNED OUT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, AND THE SOCKET WAS WARPED FROM THE HEAT. IT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE NEW BULB FAILED AGAIN THIS MONTH. TODAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED FROM, BILL USSERY MOTORS OF CORAL GABLES, FL AND I WAS TOLD, "YOUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL." IF NOT, THEN WHY DID MERCEDES BENZ USA MAIL ME A RECALL LETTER AND WHY IS THE BULB ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE??? DOZENS OF OTHER SLK OWNERS ON A MERCEDES INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD ARE FACING THE SAME RUN AROUND FROM THEIR DEALERS!
NHTSA ODI #10181284
21,000 miles · Nov 28, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED AND AGREED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL, # 05V505000, CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHTS. HOWEVER, BOTH REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10174596
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS DARKENED AND IT IS NOT RELATED TO THE BULB. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE LEFT REAR BRAKE TO DARKENED. THERE IS A SIMILAR RECALL ON THE MERCEDES 170, BUT NOT ON THE SLK SERIES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10163829
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2006
Exterior Lighting
REAR BRAKE LIGHT MELTED IN SOCKET SO I AM UNABLE TO REPLACE THE BULB. MB DEALER SAYS I MAY NEED A WHOLE NEW REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10163384
5,000 miles · Oct 26, 2005
Electrical System
DT: 2002 MERCEDES SLK 230- WHEN STOPPING THE CAR, AND THEN TAKE OFF AGAIN THE CAR LOSES POWER. INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AT THIS TIME. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN PAST YEAR AND A HALF. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP FIVE DAY…
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DT: 2002 MERCEDES SLK 230- WHEN STOPPING THE CAR, AND THEN TAKE OFF AGAIN THE CAR LOSES POWER. INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AT THIS TIME. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN PAST YEAR AND A HALF. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP FIVE DAYS AND DRIVEN 163 MILES AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN I PICKING UP THE VEHICLE DROVE IT ABOUT 10 MPH, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE CAR LOST POWER. THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10137476
33,139 miles · Sep 30, 2005
Exterior Lighting
REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND FUSED TO THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 AMG. WHEN BULBS DO FAIL IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE THEM. IT IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE MELTED PLASTIC. BOTH ENTIRE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10138211
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005
SteeringTires
ON MAY 13, 2005, I PURCHASED A USED CAR FROM DC MOTORS OF ANAHEIM HILLS, CA. THE CAR CAME FROM WALTER MERCEDES RIVERSIDE, CA. THE CAR WAS NOT RECONDITIONED BEFORE SELLING. THE COMPANY INTENTIONALLY DEFRAUD ME SINCE I HAVE A PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN THROROUGHLY CHECK FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER. TODATE, …
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ON MAY 13, 2005, I PURCHASED A USED CAR FROM DC MOTORS OF ANAHEIM HILLS, CA. THE CAR CAME FROM WALTER MERCEDES RIVERSIDE, CA. THE CAR WAS NOT RECONDITIONED BEFORE SELLING. THE COMPANY INTENTIONALLY DEFRAUD ME SINCE I HAVE A PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN THROROUGHLY CHECK FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER. TODATE, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A TOTALLED OF 12 DAYS, 4 VARIOUS VISITS. THE FOLLOWING WERE THE PROBLEMS: MISSING GRILL, SHAKING IN THE STEERING, CAR NEEDS NEW TIRES AND FRON WHEEL ALIGNMENT, HUMMING NOISE, HOT AIR COMING OUT OF THE PEDAL, INCORRECT TIRES SPECIFICATION CURRENTLY INSTALLED, THE RETRACTABLE HARDTOP STOP FUNCTIONING. I HAD TO PAY $302.00 FOR THE MISSING AND NEITHER DC MOTORS AND WALTERS TAKES RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10128945
10,892 miles · Jul 12, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ASUDDEN ACCELERATION. NO IMPACT WAS REPORTED. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081707
28,319 miles · Jul 9, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL LINE FAILED AT PRESSURE REGULATOR CAUSING A CONSTANT FLOW OF GASOLINE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FUEL HOSE ASSEMBLY IS ON BACK ORDER FROM GERMANY. APPEARS TO BE OVER TWO WEEKS FOR REPAIR. JUST GREAT!*AK
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FAILURE OF ONE OF THE SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS CAN OCCUR. THE BASE OF THE SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE MOVEMENT IN THE SOCKET-TO-BULB CONNECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE SOCKET, AND FAILURE OF THE BULB TO ILLUMINATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LAMP MODULES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2006, TO APPROXIMATELY 8,200 OWNERS. PHASE II MAILING IS SCHEDULE ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 3, 2006, AND PHASE III MAILING IS SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2007 FOR THE REMAINING OWNERS. OWNERS OF VEHICLES WITH THE UPDATED TRIM (POST-FACE LIFT) WILL GET AN INTERIM NOTICE DURING NOVEMBER 2006, ASKING THEM TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REAR TAIL LAMP REPLACEMENT LATER IN 2007. HOWEVER, IF THEY EXPERIENCE AN ACTUAL REAR LAMP FAILURE BEFORE THEY RECEIVE THAT NOTICE, THEY SHOULD COME TO THEIR DEALER IMMEDIATELY FOR A FREE REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN THE PROPER HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS, AND DIRECTIONS FOR AFFIXING THESE INSERTS TO THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-201-573-0117.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE05051 · Brake Lamp Failure
Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Dec 2, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
IN ITS LETTER DATED OCTOBER 28, 2005, MERCEDES-BENZ USA STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY DEFECTIVE BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES IN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SLK VEHICLES.THE BASE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE MOVEMENT IN THE SOCKET-TO-BULB CONNECTION, WHICH MAY LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE SOCKET, AND FAILURE OF THE BULB TO ILLUMINATE.ALL REAR LAMP MODULES (WHICH CONTAIN BRAKE, TURN SIGNAL, TAIL AND BACKUP LAMPS) WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED REAR LAMP MODULES WITH A MORE HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL AND ENHANCED SOCKET HOLDER DESIGN TO WITHSTAND THE HEAT INSIDE THE REAR LAMP MODULE.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V505 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
2002 Mercedes Benz Slk Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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