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 26 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.
Service Brakes. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND NO DRIVER APPLICATION. THE BAS/ESP ALARM LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE OK UNTIL IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE ALARM CLEARED WHEN RESTARTED BUT THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN ON IT'S OWN AND THE INDICATORS CAME BACK ON. THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT GET A CODE BECAUS…
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VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND NO DRIVER APPLICATION. THE BAS/ESP ALARM LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE OK UNTIL IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE ALARM CLEARED WHEN RESTARTED BUT THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN ON IT'S OWN AND THE INDICATORS CAME BACK ON. THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT GET A CODE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ON WHEN THEY CHECKED IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10-12 TIMES BUT ONLY DURING HOURS WHEN THE BUSINESS IS CLOSED. I LET MY LOCAL MECHANIC DRIVE IT FOR A WEEK AND IT NEVER HAPPENED WITH HIM. THIS IS VERY SPORADIC BUT DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS ENTRIES ON SLK FORUMS WITH OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10984883
52,500 miles · Aug 25, 2015
Unknown Or OtherFire
DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES WITH THE HARD TOP DOWN (CONVERTIBLE) ON MY WAY HOME THEN START SMELLING SOMETHING LIKE PLASTIC BURNING THEN NOTICE SOMEONE FROM BEHIND ME WAVING/HONKING HER HORN, I PULL MY CAR ASIDE AND A LOT OF SMOKE COMING INSIDE THE ENGINE HOOD, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW FLAME COMING OUT UNDERNEATH FROM THE DRIVERS SI…
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DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES WITH THE HARD TOP DOWN (CONVERTIBLE) ON MY WAY HOME THEN START SMELLING SOMETHING LIKE PLASTIC BURNING THEN NOTICE SOMEONE FROM BEHIND ME WAVING/HONKING HER HORN, I PULL MY CAR ASIDE AND A LOT OF SMOKE COMING INSIDE THE ENGINE HOOD, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW FLAME COMING OUT UNDERNEATH FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE.MY CAR IS TOTALLY ENGULF IN FLAMES.
NHTSA ODI #10759045
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Mercedes Benz SLK320 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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