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Mercedes-Benz SLK350Model year report

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
22,688miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl RWD · 20 city / 29 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350. The part named most often is fuel system, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by other or unknown (3) and air bags (1). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 90% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 22,688 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 63 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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.

Also reported: Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “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 miles

Other or unknown: “Moved from san francisco to palm springs, upon being in the desert with increased temperatures, my car started emitting strong fumes that smell like burning crayons, thought it was coming from exhaust because it was burning my eyes and causing headaches. Took into dealer at palm springs mercedes, and they informed me that they have had this problem before due to the wax that is in the body of car to protect from corrosion. They stated that when the wax heats up it melts and causes this odor. They removed the wax from the interior of doors, but this did no resolve the issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10639326, filed 2014-09, 28,000 miles

Air bags: “The contact owns a 2012 mercedes benz SLK350. The contact stated that the occupant classification system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 5,800.”

NHTSA complaint #10689572, filed 2015-02, 5,800 miles

Electrical system: “Electric steering wheel locks, when you go back to the car all the electrical system is not working the car is dead as dead, if you happen to be in a bad neighborhood your life is in danger, the car must be towed to the mercedes dealer, practically what happen to so many car owner I know is that eis / esl the eis module where you insert key to start and the esl steering lock assembly locate at the bottom of the column that fails. The cost of repair ($1700.) as nothing to do with the risk you take to be stranded anywhere with no prior diagnostic flag. …”

NHTSA complaint #10860868, filed 2016-04, 13,255 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

90% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,800 and 28,000 miles.

30%0–1020%10–2540%25–500%50–750%75–10010%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 22,688 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2013220152202020222026
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 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 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
SLK350 RWD3.5L 6-cyl7-speed automatic202923$3,550

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 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 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. 63 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 63 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK350

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20121222,6880—23—Not enough data
20071345,0001—19—Not enough data
20061047,1690—19—Not enough data
20052154,4260—19—Rising

All Mercedes-Benz SLK350 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 3.

Has the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 (SLK350, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 22,688 miles and the middle half falls between 5,800 and 28,000 miles; 90% 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.