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2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 16V-081 the manufacturer reports only 65% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 65%Owner complaints82 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage56kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 6, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 has problems

8 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 bags41
Electrical system20
Power train10
Structure10
Tires10

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

1 recall

2008 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.

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

2008 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 2008 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.

TAKATA RECALL NOTIFIED OVER A YEAR AGO OF RECALL. WE HAVE CALLED 4 TIMES TO DEALER SINCE WE RECEIVED NOTICE AND THEY STILL CANNOT TELL US ANYTHING. NOW I SEE THEY HAVE FILED BANKRUPCY. I HAVE A CAR THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING AND CANNOT PUT ANYONE IN THE OTHER SEAT.
Complaint 11043915 · Nov 6, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" - MY 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 HAS NOT HAD THE AIRBAG REPLACED AS OF OCT. 26, 2016. MY VEHICLE HAS AN AIRBAG WITH A TAKATA MADE INFLATOR, ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE.
Complaint 10919046 · Oct 26, 2016
TAKATA RECALL#16V-081 TRYING TO GET HELP FROM DEALERSHIP HAVING DIFFICULTIES. I'M UNCERTAIN IF I HAVE OTHER UNKNOWN ISSUES AS CHECKED MARKED. THIS IS THE 2ND RECALL. I AM HAVING A SAFETY CONCERN ON THIS VEHICLE I PURCHASED AND MANAGEMENT IS NOT COOPERATING/ ASSISTING UPSET OVER A PREVIOUS DEFECTIVE…
Complaint 10881280 · Jun 28, 2016

Own a 2008 SLK280?

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