2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 74,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (2) and visibility (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 74,000 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
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.
- Electrical system3 33%
- Exterior lighting2 22%
- Brakes1 11%
- Equipment1 11%
- Steering1 11%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Mercedes with 23,000 ignition switch will not turn. I reported the issue of intermittent problem to dealer and attempted to have it resolved while under extended warranty period. The dealer said it had not failed. Well, the warranty is gone and the failing part failed. It is expensive and appears to be a known issue based on my discussion with other owners and complaints here.”
NHTSA complaint #10325738, filed 2010-04, 23,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The interior rearview mirror in a 2003 mercedes benz slk230 (r170) had a fluid leak. The mirror is supposed to be a chromatic auto-dimming device. Due to the fluid leak all of the darkening agent has migrated to the center of the mirror. The mirror no longer auto dims, it creates multiple objects due to glare and internal reflection. It is completely unusable in it's current condition. The manufacturer of this mirror magna donnelley used to offer free replacement of these devices, which have a long track record of failing, but now no longer do. The replacement cost of the device is approx. …”
NHTSA complaint #10335111, filed 2010-06, 90,000 milesBrakes: “I own a 2003 mercedes SLK 230 , which brakes on it's own at all different speeds . After the car brakes to the right for a couple of second the bas/esp light comes on . I have had this happen on the highway at 60 MPH (very scary). I have since had the brake switch changed , and wheel sensors and new battery. I have since picked my car up and no problem for the last 100 miles until today when the same thing occurred at a lower speed . Car is back in the shop reading no codes !!!!!! I have gone to the mercedes forum and I find that this problem is not uncommon . …”
NHTSA complaint #10421085, filed 2011-08, 116,223 milesMileage when problems were reported
14% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 80,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 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 | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,850 |
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.
Recall details for the 2003 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 2.
Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK (SLK32 AMG, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 74,000 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 80,000 miles; 14% 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.