2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 29%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350, 29% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 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.
“First incident I was driving down a mountain (malibu canyon road) around 10:30pm and the automatic transmission went out of gear by itself and I had no forward control. The engine revved but the transmission was not engaged. I was going downhill but it took me awhile to find a place to pull off the road. There was no cellphone service in that location so I waited for a few minutes to flag someone down. No one came by so I restarted my car and was able to get it back into gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10482114, filed 2012-10, 45,000 miles“I bought a car in december of 2004 from mercedes benz and never had any problems until a year later. I started to get transmission problems, the car would start jerking when I come to a stop, and the RPM on the car would go higher than normal when I step on the gas petal after coming to a complete stop. I have brought the car into autobahn numerous of times to try and get this problem fixed, but the problem keeps occurring and never seems to be fixed completely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10197418, filed 2007-07, 20,723 miles“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“the conductor plate along with its speed sensor is faulty. Luckily I just exit the highway, the transmission just stopped working, can't drive forward or reverse and when I apply gas on either D or R, just the RPM speed up as if the car is in neutral. I was stranded on the middle of the road. this happened a few time. after turning off the car and turn it back on usually reset it for a little bit. the first time, I have to replace the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11592159, filed 2024-06“transmission lines popping off popped off at 60 miles per hour tensed me up it stared smoking pushed the safety hazzard lights on and was able to limp it off the highway its happened 3 times after i repaired them afraid to even drive it now.no no no”
NHTSA complaint #11548815, filed 2023-10Related service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10166994Feb 25, 2014Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). Heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa)
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine
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