2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 50%of 10 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,038miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350, 50% of the 10 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,038 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.
“While driving vehicle power can be lost & vehicle can be stuck in 1st gear or no gear at all causing blockage to traffic and possibly causing an accident. Once you turn car off it appears the car resets itself as if nothing ever happen. When reported to dealership it was stated no codes pop up so I must be hitting the shift. Not knowing any better & not being a mechanic, who am I to continue to question the mercedes dealership? No code no action. (1st reported with 8446 mileage never showed a code). At 63,000 miles the engine light finally comes on indicating a problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10811255, filed 2015-12, 8,446 miles“Severe jerk as vehicle decelerated around 10-12 MPH. Took vehicle to dealership and test drove with technician who verified the problem. There were no warning lights or codes found. I was notified by the dealership that there was a snap ring failure within the gear box. Invoice indicates retaining clip failure inside transmission, verified severe 3-2 down shift, short test no codes.check of adaptation data found 3-2 down shift at negative limit. Removed transmission and inspected, found b1 retaining clip failure. Replace b1 and b3 tensioning springs and retaining clips . …”
NHTSA complaint #10473614, filed 2012-09, 25,868 miles“The contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz SLK350. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate independently. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and restarted when suddenly the vehicle jumped into first gear. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not shift from the first gear. The vehicle was restarted again and the vehicle functioned as normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission vehicle speed sensor failed and the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10780641, filed 2015-10, 66,000 milesRelated 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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