VehicleVerdict

2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Slk years?

Slk NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Slk years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System436%
Lighting218%
Visibility & Wipers218%
Brakes19%
Other19%
Steering19%

Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY OR REMOVE THE KEY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A BAD SECTION OF TOWN AND HAD TO WAIT FOR FLAT BED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR THREE DAYS WHILE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 18, 2007

“THE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR IN A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 (R170) HAD A FLUID LEAK. THE MIRROR IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CHROMATIC AUTO-DIMMING DEVICE. DUE TO THE FLUID LEAK ALL OF THE DARKENING AGENT HAS MIGRATED TO THE CENTER OF THE MIRROR. THE MIRROR NO LONGER AUTO DIMS, IT CREATES MULTIPLE OBJECTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 1, 2010

“NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 05V505000. MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS NOT PROVIDED INFORMATION TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AFTER INFORMING ME OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY IN SLK MOTOR VEHICLES. SUBSEQUENTLY BOTH MY TAIL LIGHTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AND CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. DEALERSHIPS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 28, 2007

“I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES SLK 230 , WHICH BRAKES ON IT'S OWN AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS . AFTER THE CAR BRAKES TO THE RIGHT FOR A COUPLE OF SECOND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT COMES ON . I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH (VERY SCARY). I HAVE SINCE HAD THE BRAKE SWITCH CHANGED , AND WHEEL SENSORS AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 14, 2011

“AT APPROX. 52,000 MILES ON MY CAR, I TOOK IT TO GET SERVICED BY A NON MERCEDES DEALER SHIP, SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT. THEY FOUND THE POWER STEERING LEAKING AND THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. I HAD JUST TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR A SERVICE THREE WEEKS EARLIER FOR WARRANTY WORK, AND THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 15, 2006

2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk — common questions

Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 Slk problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (4 complaints), visibility & wipers (2 complaints), lighting (2 complaints).

Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2003 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.