AI Damage2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 32% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 16% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 12% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 4% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- Visibility: 8 complaints (32% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (20% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 4 complaints (16% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (12% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.2 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
No warning or check engine diagnostics are generated. Power is slow to recover but leaves the car limping along at idol until it responds again. Several owners have said that they had to replace the pedal position sensor or the entire gas pedal assembly to correct the problem.
I bought a slk 320 2002 model and while driving the right side brakes so violently the tires squeal, I am afraid to get on an interstate, and reading a lot of reviews I see I am not the only one. This is a tremendous safety concern.
The mirror contained a fluid which leaked out causing the self-dimming mirror to fail to provide dimming against rear approaching headlights resulting in the driver to either be blinded or to have to turn the mirror away which greatly eliminates rear view capability in the interior.
The mirrors contained a fluid which leaked out causing the self-dimming mirror to fail to provide dimming against rear approaching headlights resulting in the driver to either be blinded or to have to turn the mirrors away which greatly eliminates rear view capability in the interior.
The mirrors fail losing their ability to provide dimming against rear approaching headlights causing the driver to either be blinded or to have to turn the mirror up and have no rear view capability. I know of many documented cases of these mirrors failing including my own.
Tl contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz slk. The contact stated that both of the front electric seats fail to operate upon first entering the vehicle. The seats cannot be moved until approximately 10 minutes after the vehicle has been started and driven. The speed was unknown.
Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at various speeds, the brake lights failed to illuminate without warning. The dealer and manufacturer were alerted and agreed the vehicle was included in the nhtsa recall, # 05v505000, concerning brake lights.
Dt*: the contact stated the brake light has darkened and it is not related to the bulb. The electrical system has become defective causing the vehicle left rear brake to darkened. There is a similar recall on the mercedes 170, but not on the slk series.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,449 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SLK has 8 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 25, above average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, electrical system, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (20%), hesitation when accelerating (8%), stalls while driving (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.