2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 6,000miles, 5 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
- 16 mpgcombined, 5.4L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and brakes (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 6,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 8 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins 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.
- Engine cooling3 50%
- Brakes1 17%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Took my car in, it would not go into reverse, then the engine was winding out really hi on the tachometer, mercedes said it was the valve body module in transmission, ok- then they told me my engine balance shaft was not working and the labor was 5628.00 they have not yet quoted me a price on the parts for either issue. Said the engine will just seize up when driving, I looked this up on internet and there seems to be a class action suit going on with this balance shaft issue.is this a safety issue they overlooked possibly ? Miles as low as 62k having same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10428838, filed 2011-10, 91,000 milesEngine cooling: “Dt: the contact stated the car was burning an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle used two quarts of oil at only 5, 500 miles. The dealership test drove the vehicle and found that the valves were not seated. Also, at times while pressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle will not move it will only rev the engine. The dealership was contacted, they told her the next time this occurred to shut the engine by putting the car in park and turning the key to the off position. …”
NHTSA complaint #10146300, filed 2005-12, 6,000 milesBrakes: “Car continues to roll at stop light after I apply pressure to brake to stop car. Must stop car further away from car in front to prevent possible contact.”
NHTSA complaint #10176164, filed 2006-12Mileage when problems were reported
80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,500 and 10,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2005 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLK55 AMG RWD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
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
- 08V303000Jul 7, 2008Electrical systemCovers: Mercedes-Benz SLK 2005–2009, E Class 2003–2006, SL Class 2003–2004, 2006, 2009 +13 more
Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class…
Recall details for the 2005 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. 8 on record; the latest 8 are shown.
- 10037653Dec 10, 2010Air bags, Electrical system. Mercedes-benz: there are electrical production quality issues that cause the air bag warning light to illuminate.
- 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…
- 10025842Jul 28, 2008Suspension. Mercedes benz: model 171.454, 456 (2005-2008) slk class; 204.054, 056, 081 (2008) c class; 211.022, 056, 072, 087, 090 (2006-2008) e class. Vehicles produced between 2/21/08 and 4/3/08 with…
- 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…
- 10020186Jul 21, 2006Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when shifting.
- 10019647Mar 1, 2006Engine cooling. Inspect routing of engine fan wiring harness and correct if necessary.
- 10018931Dec 13, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Learning in selection range sensor not possible after ehs replacement.
- 10016009Jul 1, 2005Steering. The rubber boot on the rack and pinion may have been deformed during assembly. Dealers are to check the boots and replace the rack and pinion if necessary.
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 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 2005 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK get?
The EPA rates the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK (SLK55 AMG, 5.4L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 6,000 miles and the middle half falls between 3,500 and 10,000 miles; 80% 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.