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Mercedes-Benz SLK320Model year report

2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
68,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The part named most often is brakes, with 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (3) and electrical system (2). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 22% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 30 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 9 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

Brakes: “Fast moving traffic, dry weather. All of a sudden car applied brakes, thought I was having one of the tires breaking into pieces. This lasted until I pulled over and stopped, never experienced anything like this. An inexperienced driver in this fast traffic surely would have had an accident, maybe even fatally. Anyway, I saw nothing broken, all tire in tact, so I continued. This was in fl and having just purchased the vehicle the night before, I was on a long journey to my home state de. It did happen a couple of more time with lighter impact. …”

NHTSA complaint #10639907, filed 2014-09, 16,600 miles

Exterior lighting: “Previous recall 05V505 has been completed but the issue has returned the issue has been intermittent for a fee months but the tail light has been non op for a few months, i have tried different sockets and bulbs to no avail. The issue has not caused any incidents but i have no brake light on the drivers side due to melting on the lamp itself aswell as the pins on the connector are warped”

NHTSA complaint #11703211, filed 2025-12

Electrical system: “The bas/esp light and sudden braking just occurred today(10.11.16) on our 2002 mercedes benz slk 320. This happened three times in about an hour of driving on city streets between 15 and 45 MPH. One occurrence was while driving straight, the other two happened while changing lanes in moving traffic. The experience today was that the car had a brief momentary hard braking. First on the left front and then the right front (2 separate times). Each was a separate incident and each time the bas/esp light lit up afterward. …”

NHTSA complaint #10915378, filed 2016-10, 68,000 miles

Electronic stability control: “Suddenly, for no reason, the right front brake activated, causing the car to pull to the right. This released within a second. I stopped and restarted. This happened again at about 60 miles per hour. I had the car checked by a certified mechanic. Several sensors were replaced. The problem continued several more times. I called mercedes about the problem. They wanted me to take it to dealer and pay the dealer to check the problem. The problem got worse over time. I had to replace the battery a few months ago. Since then, I have had no more problems. This causes a great deal of concern. …”

NHTSA complaint #10576072, filed 2014-03, 64,807 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

22% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,000 and 98,500 miles.

0%0–1011%10–2511%25–5033%50–7522%75–10022%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 68,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20122014320152016202320252026
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 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 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
SLK320 RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182420$4,100
SLK320 RWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual152418$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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 30 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 30 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20021168,0000—20—Not enough data
20012679,8610—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mercedes-Benz SLK320 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 3.

Has the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 (SLK320, 3.2L 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 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320 reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,000 miles and the middle half falls between 62,000 and 98,500 miles; 22% 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.