AI DamageMercedes-Benz SLK320: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz SLK320 across 5 model years: 41 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 46% of all complaints
- 2 Electronic stability control 29% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 29% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 19 complaints (46% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electronic stability control: 12 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 12 complaints (29% of all).
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (7% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 41 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 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.
Experienced a vibration, squealing noise & slight pull to right. Stopped to investigate possibility of blown tire. Found nothing wrong after visual inspection, so resumed driving. Approx.
The cars ignition switch locks up and prevents the car from starting, it can also cause the car to stall when running creating a very dangerous situation. Mercedes is aware of this problem with the ignition switch.
Previous recall 05V505 has been completed but the issue has returned the issue has been intermittent for a fee months but the tail light has been non op for a few months, i have tried different sockets and bulbs to no avail.
Driving low speed, about 30 MPH, right front wheel begins braking in anti-lock mode. Car pulls right. BAS/ESP light comes on. Was just driving, never touched the brake pedal.
The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring socket and an unknown part had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the mechanic of an unknown recall. The dealer was not notified of the failure.
Upon inspection, it was discovered that while depressing the brake pedal, the driverâs side brake light failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the rear lamp module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other models of this make
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.