2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK Problems
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 33,139miles, 19 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.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK. The part named most often is visibility, with 8 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and exterior lighting (4). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 68% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 33,139 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Electrical system5 20%
- Exterior lighting4 16%
- Brakes2 8.0%
- Equipment1 4.0%
- Fuel system1 4.0%
- Other or unknown1 4.0%
- Seats1 4.0%
Also reported: Steering (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Visibility summary: vehicle type is 2002 mercedes benz slk230 (r170 model). The inside rear view mirror is an electrochromic self dimming mirror that has no manual backup. The mirrors fail losing their ability to provide dimming against rear approaching headlights causing the driver to either be blinded or to have to turn the mirror up and have no rear view capability. I know of many documented cases of these mirrors failing including my own. Some fail by just quitting working while others leak the internal fluid.”
NHTSA complaint #10250685, filed 2008-12, 35,000 milesElectrical system: “The auto dimming rear view mirror turned black and I cannot see out of it dealer wants like $800 to replace it. There are many people on the forums with the same problem, also the auto dimming drivers side mirror has a similar problem and can't see out of that either, again many people on the forums complain about this too. At one time the manufacturer of the mirror was sending free replacements since there were some quality control problems, but no more.”
NHTSA complaint #10548651, filed 2013-10, 61,714 milesExterior 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10138211, filed 2005-09, 33,139 milesVehicle speed control: “2002 mercedes slk320 fails to accelerate randomly and at critical moments. Gas pedal can be pushed all the way to the floor but the car remains at idol so the car doesn't have enough power to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. No warning or check engine diagnostics are generated. Power is slow to recover but leaves the car limping along at idol until it responds again. Several owners have said that they had to replace the pedal position sensor or the entire gas pedal assembly to correct the problem. This can cost $100 to $400 each time the problem happens. …”
NHTSA complaint #10369383, filed 2010-12, 69,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
68% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 56,200 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLK32 AMG RWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 05V505000Nov 1, 2005Exterior lighting › Brake lightsCovers: Mercedes-Benz SLK 1998–2004
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.
- 02V152000Jun 13, 2002Exterior lighting › HeadlightsCovers: Mercedes-Benz SLK 2000–2002
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.
Recall details for the 2002 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.
- 10030929Jun 15, 2009Brakes. Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection is…
- 10022893Apr 24, 2008Engine cooling. Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit. Mercedes-benz model c230, c280, c350, slk280, slk350, clk350, clk550, e350, e550, cls550, s600, and sl550. Equipped…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 6,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 9 | 74,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 25 | 33,139 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 19 | 56,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 6 | 70,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz SLK model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 8 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.
Has the 2002 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.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK (SLK32 AMG, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK reported?
Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 33,139 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 56,200 miles; 68% 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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.