AI Damage2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280: common problems
Owners of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 23
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 74% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 4% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 4% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- Air bags: 17 complaints (74% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (4% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (4% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (4% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (4% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 23 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
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.
Could this be a stall tactic by the auto manufacturers? Every year that passes a certain % of the affected vehicles end their useful lives. Manufacturers therefore recognize a lower replacement cost. Even though a large monetary settlement was directed to the manufacturers.
Takata recall, at 64,000 miles the fuel pump went bad on 2007 slk280. Car drove 20miles at most a day. Tried starting the car and had it stalled every tempted.
While driving on highway with a passenger at highway speed the srs malfunction warning light illuminated instructing to take car for service. There was no accident and no object was struck. Mercedes mechanic advised that air bags would not deploy until this failure was corrected.
Dealer nor mercedes benz (corporate) in nj would even assist to find out what or why the transmission failed at 69,000 miles and really didn't seem to care one bit. They were rude and unbelievably irresponsible about their product putting all of the cost ( $7500.00 ) bill square on the customer.
The exhaust actuators were determined bad and replaced now at 47,000miles they are bad again and not warrantied as the state I reside in does require emissions control inspection and mercedes is aware there is a defect this should prompt a recall. I have tried unsuccessfully to resolve this matter with mercedes.
Tl contact owns a 2007 mercedes slk280. The contact stated that while sitting idle with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 5 mph. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the software was reprogrammed. The failure occurred three times. The failure mileage was 13,493.
While driving 35 mph, the vehicle began rocking and shaking. When the contact inspected the vehicle, she discovered that the rear passenger side tire was split at the seam. Mercedes roadside assistance changed the tire.
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 7,735 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SLK280 has 16 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 23, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, engine and cooling, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 23. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (9%), fuel system, fuel smell (4%), seat belts (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280?
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 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 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 2007 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.