2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 10%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,501miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350, 10% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,501 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Just got off the high way and drive onto a local street, the car would not shift into any gear forward or reverse. End up having to tow the car. Luckily it didn't happen while I was at the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #10667301, filed 2014-12, 67,501 miles“improper heat treatment of the balance shaft spocket causing the balance shaft to worn out resulting in advance timing of the CAM. Mercedes acknowledges it's an known issue but don't cover cost of fixing it. Once ecu detected timing is off, it will stop the transmission from accelerating without any warning. Happened to me on a highway, good thing the car still have some momentum and was able to pull to the shoulder while others cars are coming from behind.”
NHTSA complaint #11537700, filed 2023-08Related service bulletins
- 11017039Apr 1, 2025Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant…
- 11031629Oct 30, 2015To enhance the satisfaction of our customers, avoid further costs of litigation and return focus to its core businesses, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) entered into a settlement…
- 10051540Oct 26, 2012Xentry: m271.8 evo engine has poor accelerator response- lack of power under full load and high rpm. Engine diagnosis warning lamp (cel) lights up, vehicle is in limp-home mode…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology