AI Damage2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 8% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 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.
While driving on the highway the roof polycarbonate top started to buffet at speed prompting a rapid deceleration of the car for fear of the roof flying off. The car has been evaluated at the Mercedes dealer which stated that the roof was delaminating.
My mechanic says it's the fuel filter and it has been discontinued. I am a single woman and I am now afraid to drive my car. l am stressed about breaking down or being killed. Please help me. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact stated that as she pulled over and parked the vehicle, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated for the driver's side rear tire. When the contact exited the vehicle, she saw that the rim hub cap had detached from the driver's side rear wheel.
During the failure no crash had occurred, and no passenger was seated in the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but not assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 48,000.
Electric steering wheel locks, when you go back to the car all the electrical system is not working the car is dead as dead, if you happen to be in a bad neighborhood your life is in danger, the car must be towed to the mercedes dealer, practically what happen to so many car owner I know is that eis / esl the eis…
The contact stated that the occupant classification system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 5,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mercedes benz slk 350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the contact heard a loud pop from the rear of the vehicle. The rear of the vehicle swerved to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that both control arms needed to be replaced.
Car lost power on freeway. Many repairs last one being electronic gas pedal. ## vin passed ## mercedes slk350 2012 ##
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 10,160 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SLK350 has 8 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 12, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (25%), fuel system, fuel smell (8%), loss of power / limp mode (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350?
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 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 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 2012 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 2026-11-05.