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Mercedes-Benz SLKModel year report

2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
56,500miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK. The part named most often is visibility, with 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and electronic stability control (2). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Inside rearview mirror fades, blotched, fogged. Description: the inside rear view mirror in my 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK 320 (r170 model) is an electro chromic self-dimming mirror that has no manual backup. The mirror contained a fluid which leaked out causing the self-dimming mirror to fail to provide dimming against rear approaching headlights resulting in the driver to either be blinded or to have to turn the mirror away which greatly eliminates rear view capability in the interior. …”

NHTSA complaint #10262523, filed 2009-03, 22,000 miles

Electrical system: “Mercedes benz slk320 just dies out while driving. No warning lights or anything before the motor stops and the car loses power. Happens sporadically. Mercedes benz cannot detect the direct problem even after diagnosis. Continues to blame it on something else, then fixes it, but it continues to occur.”

NHTSA complaint #10340246, filed 2010-06, 133,000 miles

Electronic stability control: “The esp light comes on, the car pulls to right and the speed pedal does not work. It happens while accelerating and almost had an accident due to lack of power to cross a major intersection. The esp light comes on and automatically disables the speed/gas pedal.”

NHTSA complaint #10438662, filed 2011-12, 164,000 miles

Engine cooling: “The engine died while I was driving in traffic. I managed to coast to a corner and get off the main street. After repeated attempts, the engine restarted and ran normally, only to die in traffic again about 5 minutes later.”

NHTSA complaint #10336658, filed 2010-06, 30,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,000 and 83,000 miles.

0%0–1013%10–2538%25–506%50–7525%75–10013%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 56,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2004200620072008200920106201120122013
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200566,0001—16—Not enough data
2003974,0001—17—Not enough data
20022533,1392—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20011956,5002———Stable
1999670,0001———Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz SLK model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,500 miles and the middle half falls between 33,000 and 83,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.