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Mercedes-Benz SLK280Model year report

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
27,060miles, 4 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
20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and other or unknown (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 27,060 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 7 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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall notified over a year ago of recall. We have called 4 times to dealer since we received notice and they still cannot tell us anything. Now I see they have filed bankrupcy. I have a car that I do not feel safe driving and cannot put anyone in the other seat.”

NHTSA complaint #11043915, filed 2017-11

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz SLK280. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the hard convertible top would not release open when activated by the control device. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact of a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 08v303000 (electrical system). The contact's VIN was not included the recall. The manufacturer was not notified o the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. The VIN was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #10536746, filed 2013-08, 10,000 miles

Body and structure: “The convertible hard top hydraulic system start to leak oil to driver and passenger seat. The hard top does not move and difficult to close. I have received notification from several owners that it is a current problem of all vehicles of models. This is an unsafely problem, since the hard top, rear glass and trunk has problem to be locked completely. Apparently the mercedes benz manufacturer know that the hydraulic cylinders seals fail, once the mineral oil lose its property. …”

NHTSA complaint #10651290, filed 2014-10, 29,120 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

75% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 29,120 miles.

0%0–1025%10–2550%25–5025%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 27,060 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20102011201320142201622017
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
SLK280 RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic182420$4,100
SLK280 RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual172520$4,100

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

Recall details for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 → · 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. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 60 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK280

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2008827,0601—20—Not enough data
20072329,0002—20—Stable
20061878,9050—21—Falling

All Mercedes-Benz SLK280 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 (SLK280, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 27,060 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 29,120 miles; 75% 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.