Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 56 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK350 (2005–2012) that have at least 5 complaints. 2005 has the most, with 21. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (12 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All SLK350 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 12 | 22,688 | 0 | 63 | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 13 | 45,000 | 1 | 61 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 10 | 47,169 | 0 | 63 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 21 | 54,426 | 0 | 59 | — | Rising |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain12 20%
- Air bags11 18%
- Other or unknown9 15%
- Engine8 13%
- Suspension6 9.8%
- Fuel system6 9.8%
- Brakes5 8.2%
- Electrical system4 6.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2007: “I have had to have replacement parts installed into my car 3 times since I have owned the vehicle. Each time, I get a message that the driver's side air abg is not functioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11043649, filed 2017-11, 50,000 miles2012: “I parked my car with an almost full tank of gas while I was at work. After leaving work, I started the car and while I was driving I smelled a strong gasoline odor, and in about 3 miles the engine acted like it was running out of fuel, then died on a freeway off-ramp due to fuel exhaustion. A caltrans (or san jose) freeway safety car came by and put about 2 gallons of gas in my tank, but as soon as the engine started we both smelled raw gasoline. …”
NHTSA complaint #10475510, filed 2012-09, 3,402 miles2005: “Ignition switches inadvertently turn from run to accessory position while car is driven and I have to restart the car to keep going. I woke up to read in the newspaper today (2/28/2014) that there is a recall on the GM faulted ignition deaths and the same exact problem described is in my car and still exists in this vehicle. I love this car but it scares me. I told the local new car dealership on this and they said it would cost about $2,000.00 to fix it and I should wait till it gets worse before fixing it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10566444, filed 2014-02, 35,000 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,965 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
659 complaints
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. Methodology