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2002 Mercedes-Benz SLKProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 25 owner complaints about the 2002 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 complaints251 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage38kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 21, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK has problems

25 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
Visibility71
Electrical system50
Exterior lighting40
Vehicle speed control30
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Power train10
Seats10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Steering10
5 other systems50

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

2 recalls

2002 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

2002 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
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK safety ratings

2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREPE05051 · closed Dec 2, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-505
In owners' words

What SLK owners report

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

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT DUE TO "LAVA LAMP/ DISTORTED BUBBLE" EFFECT IN AUTO-DIMMING REARVIEW AND SIDE MIRROR. I NEVER REALIZED SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THIS WEBSITE EXISTED. I WOULD HAVE FILED MY COMPLAINT A LONG TIME AGO. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF REPLACE A…
Complaint 10403887 · May 31, 2011 · 34,986 miles
THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 IS A SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE MIRROR CONTAINS SOME KIND OF FLUID THAT LEAKED OUT ONTO MY CENTER CONSOLE AND THEN THE DIMMING EFFECT NO LONGER WORKED, LEADING TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION AT NIGHT. THERE IS NO MANUAL BACKUP…
Complaint 10379632 · Jan 31, 2011 · 56,200 miles
MB SHOULD RECALL REARVIEW MIRRORS FOR 1998-2003 SLK. LOOKING AT ARTICLES OVER THE INTERNET, LOTS OF SLK OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, SO THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON ISSUE FOR THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE REARVIEW HAS AN AUTO DIM FEATURE, AND THIS MIRROR USUALLY LEAKS MAKING THE MIRROR VERY…
Complaint 10340680 · Jun 29, 2010 · 61,000 miles

Own a 2002 SLK?

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