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2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 23 owner complaints about the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-168 the manufacturer reports only 36% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 36%Owner complaints230 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage29kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 has problems

23 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
Air bags170
Engine and engine cooling10
Fuel/propulsion system10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Power train10
Seat belts10
Tires10
Vehicle speed control10

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

2 recalls

2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 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.

36%repaired · 2024 Q1

Control module: software

Recall 22V-168 · Mar 18, 2022 · 22 vehicles · 8 repaired

Risk. Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control,…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2026 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 16V-081 · Feb 11, 2016 · 711,159 vehicles · 464,166 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…

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

2007 vs. every other SLK280 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 SLK280 median. How we score

'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What SLK280 owners report

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

I am the owner of a 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 with VIN: [XXX]. My vehicle was part of the Takata airbag recall, but the airbags were never replaced. Currently, the NHTSA recall status for my VIN shows "no active recalls," even though the repair was not completed. This creates a serious safety risk.…
Complaint 11719266 · Feb 19, 2026
TAKATA RECALL. THERE WAS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN TO RECALL MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS-- NUMBER 16V081000. I WAS CONTACTED BY MAIL NUMEROUS TIMES MY MERCEDES NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, INDICATING THERE WAS A RECALL AND THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG WAS ON ORDER. THEY INDICATED I WOULD BE CONTACTED LATER WHEN THE PARTS…
Complaint 11112365 · Jul 19, 2018 · 29,000 miles
I REMAIN UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT TAKEDA AIRBAGS FROM MERCEDES BENZ FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. WHEN I LAST FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA ON 12/26/2017 (COMPLAINT NUMBER 11056636) I WAS INFORMED BY MERCEDES, [XXX], VP CUSTOMER SERVICES THAT MY CAR REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS WOULD BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 30,…
Complaint 11101507 · Jun 12, 2018 · 12,600 miles

Own a 2007 SLK280?

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