VehicleVerdict

2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 23 complaints on file for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

23

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Slk years?

Slk NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted30 complaints1998: 3 complaints1999: 9 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 23 complaints2002: 30 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 8 complaints2006: 3 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 4 complaints2012: 0 complaints
Slk NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Slk years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers626%
Electrical System522%
Fuel System29%
Lighting29%
Speed Control29%
Engine29%
Steering14%
Body & Structure14%
Transmission14%
Brakes14%

Does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V505000LightingNovember 1, 2005 · 69,278 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FAILURE OF ONE OF THE SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS CAN OCCUR. THE BASE OF THE SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.

Consequence

THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE MOVEMENT IN THE SOCKET-TO-BULB CONNECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE SOCKET, AND FAILURE OF THE BULB TO ILLUMINATE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LAMP MODULES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2006, TO APPROXIMATELY 8,200 OWNERS. PHASE II MAILING IS SCHEDULE ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 3, 2006, AND PHASE III MAILING IS SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2007 FOR THE REMAINING OWNERS. OWNERS OF VEHICLES WITH THE UPDATED TRIM (POST-FACE LIFT) WILL GET AN INTERIM NOTICE DURING NOVEMBER 2006, ASKING THEM TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REAR TAIL LAMP REPLACEMENT LATER IN 2007. HOWEVER, IF THEY EXPERIENCE AN ACTUAL REAR LAMP FAILURE BEFORE THEY RECEIVE THAT NOTICE, THEY SHOULD COME TO THEIR DEALER IMMEDIATELY FOR A FREE REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

02V152000LightingJune 13, 2002 · 27,863 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN THE PROPER HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS, AND DIRECTIONS FOR AFFIXING THESE INSERTS TO THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-201-573-0117.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 15,000 MILES (SUNNY DAY DRIVER). REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS THE AUTO TINTING FEATURE. THE LIQUID TINT BLED BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF GLASS CAUSING DIFFICULTIES SEEING THE REAR. DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 1, 2006

“MERCEDES BENZ SLK320 JUST DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING BEFORE THE MOTOR STOPS AND THE CAR LOSES POWER. HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. MERCEDES BENZ CANNOT DETECT THE DIRECT PROBLEM EVEN AFTER DIAGNOSIS. CONTINUES TO BLAME IT ON SOMETHING ELSE, THEN FIXES IT, BUT IT CONTINUES TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 20, 2010

“I HAVE A 2001 SLK320. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY, SPECIFICALLY THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE FOR 5-6 SECONDS THEN SURGES. LOTS OF CARS HAVE THIS ISSUE. MB SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 1, 2010

“REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILED OVER AND OVER SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 2001. DEALER REPLACED BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES AND LAST REPLACED L & R BULBS ON 12/29/2006 AT 29005 MILES. IN APRIL 2007 A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILURE. REAR LAMPS FAILED ONCE AGAIN AT 39697 MILES AND VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 29, 2006

“THE ENGINE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO COAST TO A CORNER AND GET OFF THE MAIN STREET. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RAN NORMALLY, ONLY TO DIE IN TRAFFIC AGAIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 15, 2010

2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk — common questions

Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk reliable?

The record is thin — 23 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2001 Slk problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (6 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), lighting (2 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz Slk years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Slk years to avoid are 2002, 2012. The cleanest record among Slk years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.