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2001 Mercedes-Benz SLKProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 19 owner complaints about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints191 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage33kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 1, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK has problems

19 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Visibility60
Electrical system30
Engine and engine cooling20
Exterior lighting20
Vehicle speed control20
Electronic stability control (ESC)20
Power train10
Service brakes10
Steering10
3 other systems31

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 05V-505 · Nov 1, 2005 · 69,278 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other SLK year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SLK median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONDP05007 · closed Mar 27, 2006
    No recall
  2. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREPE05051 · closed Dec 2, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-505
  3. SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT DOWNSQ01010 · closed Feb 4, 2002
    No recall
In owners' words

What SLK owners report

Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE AUTOMATICALLY DIMMING INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS LEAKED PART OF LIQUID CRYSTAL FLUID, SEVERELY DISTORTING THE REFLECTED IMAGE. IN ADDITION, SINCE THE MIRROR DOES NOT HAVE ANT MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR DAY/NIGHT SELECTION, ANY BRIGHT LIGHTS FROM BEHIND TEND TO BLIND OR AT LEAST INTERFERE WITH THE…
Complaint 10357280 · Sep 23, 2010 · 94,050 miles
INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR FADES, BLOTCHED, FOGGED. DESCRIPTION: THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 320 (R170 MODEL) IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO…
Complaint 10262523 · Mar 20, 2009 · 22,000 miles
YEAR, MAKE, MODEL: 2001, MERCEDES BENZ, 170 FAILURE MILEAGE: 65000 THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 320 (R170 MODEL) IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO…
Complaint 10255273 · Jan 16, 2009 · 65,000 miles

Own a 2001 SLK?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.