Mercedes Benz SLK280 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
55,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2008 model years. Data updated: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 49 complaints (53.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting
5
10.2%
Electrical and battery issues
4
8.2%
Engine operation
2
4.1%
Braking behavior
2
4.1%
Fuel system concerns
1
2.0%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Air Bags
26
Electrical System
5
Exterior Lighting
3
Seat Belts
3
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Power Train
2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
2
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Air Bags
26
Electrical System
5
Exterior Lighting
3
Seat Belts
3
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Power Train
2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
2
Air Bags: 26; Electrical System: 5; Exterior Lighting: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
7
25,000 to 49,999
7
50,000 to 74,999
6
75,000 to 99,999
7
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
7
25,000 to 49,999
7
50,000 to 74,999
6
75,000 to 99,999
7
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
1
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPM READING INCREASED AS THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER DISENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE CONTACT DROVE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL PLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL PLATE WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPRO…
DRIVING ON FREEWAY... ALL OF SUDDEN CAR GOES IN LOW GEAR NO WARNING HAS DONE THIS ABOUT 4 TIMES. TWICE ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK TO SHOP WAS TOLD IT WAS VALVE BODY/ CONDUCTOR PLATE ISSUE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE FIXED AT DEALER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART MB USED ON THIS TRANSMISSION. CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. VALVE BODY / CONDUCTOR PLATE REPLACEMENT
WAS TOLD BY THE COMPUTER "RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION VISIT WORKSHOP." VISITED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY IT WOULD COST A LITTLE OVER $900 TO REPAIR FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Electrical system faulty. Front lowbeam headlight warning light on. Mechanic changed headlight bulb but it still did not work. After about a week the warning indicator went off and headlight worked. A few days went by and the indicator came on again. The low beam did not work. This time the left side marker lamp indicator came on and the bulb wasn't working. Before I could take it in for repair the side marker was working again. It goes off and on about every other month. Also, the indicator for one of the bulbs above my license plate goe…
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.
TAKATA RECALL EITHER THESE AIRBAGS ARE SAFE AND THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE RESCINDED OR THE AIRBAGS ARE UNSAFE? IF DEEMED UNSAFE THEN ALL INVENTORIES AND PRODUCTION NEEDS TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. AIRBAG PRODUCTION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO CORRECT THIS RECALL INSTEAD OF NEW CAR PRODUCTION. 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 SETTLEMEN…
TL*THE 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. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,512.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
49 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
61.2%Usable mileage30 / 49 records
100.0%Valid incident date49 / 49 records
100.0%Valid filing date49 / 49 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates49 / 49 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2006
2007
2008
Air Bags
633.3%ODI 10351837 · 30,981 mi
I OWN A 2006 MERCEDES SLK280 AND MY SRS LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A MONTH AGO. SINCE MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JUNE, I HAD PURCHASED A NEW ONE FOR CLOSE TO $2,500 FOR A NEW 4YR/40,000 MILES. I LOOKED UP ON GOOGLE TO SEE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND FOUND A NUMBER OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I AM SURE THERE ARE A LOT MORE AS I DID NOT EVEN POST ONE. SEEING THAT THE SRS IS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND A SAFETY ISSUE, I FIGURED THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I WAS SURPRISED THAT FOR SUCH A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, MERCEDES DID NOT REPLACE THE DEFEC…
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. MECHANIC STATED FAILURE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOUNDS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HONDA'S LATEST PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
MY CAR IS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE SRS LIGHT INDICATOR TURNED ON AND STAYED ON.. THE GARAGE SAID THE COST OF REPAIR OF THE SRS SYSTEM WOULD BE OVER $400.00. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM / AIRBAG WILL WORK IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, IT MAY BE A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION IF THE MERCEDES IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. MANY OTHER SLK280 OWNERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HARD CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN WHEN ACTIVATED BY THE CONTROL DEVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED O THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE REAR MARKER LIGHTS ARE GOING ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, NOW THEY ARE OFF FOR GOOD. THE WIRES TO THE LIGHTS LOOK FINE, THE BULBS LOOK FINE. I HAVE EVEN REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THEY STILL DONT WORK ON ONE SIDE. EARLIER MODELS ARE HAVING SAME ISSUE AS THIS MODEL. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE.
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. MECHANIC STATED FAILURE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOUNDS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HONDA'S LATEST PROBLEM.
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODORS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,905.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPM READING INCREASED AS THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER DISENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE CONTACT DROVE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL PLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL PLATE WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPRO…
CAR MADE LOUD NOISE THEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I HAVE READ ALOT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THESE TRANSMISSION HAVING ISSUES. 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. I KNOW THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEMS. ITS THEIR PRODUCT. THEY…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,562. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
OWNED A BRAND NEW 2007 MERCEDES SLK 280 AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUSHING AND PULLING TO THE POINT THAT IT WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED; AND ULTIMATELY, IT WAS A 'BUY-BACK.' AFTERWARDS, I HAD ANOTHER NEW MERCEDES 280, NOW A 2008, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THAT ONE TOO. BIG MISTAKE ON MY PART; WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT ANOTHER NEW ONE WOULD GO BAD? THE MERCEDES 7 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WAS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE EXPERIENCE FOR ME. SINCE 2008, EVERY TIME I SEE A MERCEDES SLK, I SOMETIMES ATTEMPT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND ASK…
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Air Bags
24,900–90,844 mi
62,500 mi
12
ODI 10351837 · 30,981 mi
I OWN A 2006 MERCEDES SLK280 AND MY SRS LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A MONTH AGO. SINCE MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JUNE, I HAD PURCHASED A NEW ONE FOR CLOSE TO $2,500 FOR A NEW 4YR/40,000 MILES. I LOOKED UP ON GOOGLE TO SEE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND FOUND A NUMBER OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I AM SURE THERE ARE A LOT MORE AS I DID NOT EVEN POST ONE. SEEING THAT THE SRS IS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND A SAFETY ISSUE, I FIGURED THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I WAS SURPRISED THAT FOR SUCH A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, MERCEDES DID NOT REPLACE THE DEFEC…
MY CAR IS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE SRS LIGHT INDICATOR TURNED ON AND STAYED ON.. THE GARAGE SAID THE COST OF REPAIR OF THE SRS SYSTEM WOULD BE OVER $400.00. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM / AIRBAG WILL WORK IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, IT MAY BE A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION IF THE MERCEDES IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. MANY OTHER SLK280 OWNERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
MY CAR IS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE SRS LIGHT INDICATOR TURNED ON AND STAYED ON.. THE GARAGE SAID THE COST OF REPAIR OF THE SRS SYSTEM WOULD BE OVER $400.00. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM / AIRBAG WILL WORK IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, IT MAY BE A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION IF THE MERCEDES IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. MANY OTHER SLK280 OWNERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HARD CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN WHEN ACTIVATED BY THE CONTROL DEVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED O THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE REAR MARKER LIGHTS ARE GOING ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, NOW THEY ARE OFF FOR GOOD. THE WIRES TO THE LIGHTS LOOK FINE, THE BULBS LOOK FINE. I HAVE EVEN REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THEY STILL DONT WORK ON ONE SIDE. EARLIER MODELS ARE HAVING SAME ISSUE AS THIS MODEL. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE.
SRS LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. DEALER SAYS DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED. REPAIR WOULD COST $700.00. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS MODEL CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPAIR BY DEALER AT MERCEDES BENZ COST, AS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS MODEL AND LIKELY A DEFECT.
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. MECHANIC STATED FAILURE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOUNDS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HONDA'S LATEST PROBLEM.
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODORS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,905.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPM READING INCREASED AS THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER DISENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE CONTACT DROVE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL PLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL PLATE WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPRO…
CAR MADE LOUD NOISE THEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I HAVE READ ALOT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THESE TRANSMISSION HAVING ISSUES. 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. I KNOW THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEMS. ITS THEIR PRODUCT. THEY…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,562. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
1
None
ODI 11719266
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. I request that NHTSA investigate why my VIN is marked as remedied or closed despite the airbags not being replaced. I urge NHTSA to take appropriate action to ensure the recall is properly addressed for my vehicle and others in similar situations. …
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2007: 3 complaints · 2008: 2 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2007
3
3
3
2008
1
1
2
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2007
23
0
0
2008
8
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Air Bags
Electrical System
Exterior Lighting
Seat Belts
Engine And Engine Cooling
Fuel/Propulsion System
Power Train
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Air Bags
—
3ODI 10692679 · 97,000 mi
MY CAR IS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE SRS LIGHT INDICATOR TURNED ON AND STAYED ON.. THE GARAGE SAID THE COST OF REPAIR OF THE SRS SYSTEM WOULD BE OVER $400.00. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM / AIRBAG WILL WORK IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, IT MAY BE A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION IF THE MERCEDES IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. MANY OTHER SLK280 OWNERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system faulty. Front lowbeam headlight warning light on. Mechanic changed headlight bulb but it still did not work. After about a week the warning indicator went off and headlight worked. A few days went by and the indicator came on again. The low beam did not work. This time the left side marker lamp indicator came on and the bulb wasn't working. Before I could take it in for repair the side marker was working again. It goes off and on about every other month. Also, the indicator for one of the bulbs above my license plate goe…
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 BATTERY. I AM UNCERTAIN IF THE SAME ISSUE IS RECURRING AND OR EFFECTING THE DOOR LOCKS, DOME LIGHTS, ELECTRONICS, LIGHTS, VEHICLE WILL NOT START.
Electrical system faulty. Front lowbeam headlight warning light on. Mechanic changed headlight bulb but it still did not work. After about a week the warning indicator went off and headlight worked. A few days went by and the indicator came on again. The low beam did not work. This time the left side marker lamp indicator came on and the bulb wasn't working. Before I could take it in for repair the side marker was working again. It goes off and on about every other month. Also, the indicator for one of the bulbs above my license plate goe…
SRS LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. DEALER SAYS DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED. REPAIR WOULD COST $700.00. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS MODEL CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPAIR BY DEALER AT MERCEDES BENZ COST, AS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS MODEL AND LIKELY A DEFECT.
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. MECHANIC STATED FAILURE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOUNDS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HONDA'S LATEST PROBLEM.
MY CAR IS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE SRS LIGHT INDICATOR TURNED ON AND STAYED ON.. THE GARAGE SAID THE COST OF REPAIR OF THE SRS SYSTEM WOULD BE OVER $400.00. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM / AIRBAG WILL WORK IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, IT MAY BE A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION IF THE MERCEDES IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. MANY OTHER SLK280 OWNERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system faulty. Front lowbeam headlight warning light on. Mechanic changed headlight bulb but it still did not work. After about a week the warning indicator went off and headlight worked. A few days went by and the indicator came on again. The low beam did not work. This time the left side marker lamp indicator came on and the bulb wasn't working. Before I could take it in for repair the side marker was working again. It goes off and on about every other month. Also, the indicator for one of the bulbs above my license plate goe…
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 BATTERY. I AM UNCERTAIN IF THE SAME ISSUE IS RECURRING AND OR EFFECTING THE DOOR LOCKS, DOME LIGHTS, ELECTRONICS, LIGHTS, VEHICLE WILL NOT START.
Electrical system faulty. Front lowbeam headlight warning light on. Mechanic changed headlight bulb but it still did not work. After about a week the warning indicator went off and headlight worked. A few days went by and the indicator came on again. The low beam did not work. This time the left side marker lamp indicator came on and the bulb wasn't working. Before I could take it in for repair the side marker was working again. It goes off and on about every other month. Also, the indicator for one of the bulbs above my license plate goe…
Headlight wires (Inside Housing) are frayed / melted. Can cause fire. I was replacing my bulb when I noticed the wires in the plug were completely stripped with no shielding. I traced it back to the connector and the wire shields were either frayed or completely gone
Electrical system faulty. Front lowbeam headlight warning light on. Mechanic changed headlight bulb but it still did not work. After about a week the warning indicator went off and headlight worked. A few days went by and the indicator came on again. The low beam did not work. This time the left side marker lamp indicator came on and the bulb wasn't working. Before I could take it in for repair the side marker was working again. It goes off and on about every other month. Also, the indicator for one of the bulbs above my license plate goe…
Electrical system faulty. Front lowbeam headlight warning light on. Mechanic changed headlight bulb but it still did not work. After about a week the warning indicator went off and headlight worked. A few days went by and the indicator came on again. The low beam did not work. This time the left side marker lamp indicator came on and the bulb wasn't working. Before I could take it in for repair the side marker was working again. It goes off and on about every other month. Also, the indicator for one of the bulbs above my license plate goe…
Headlight wires (Inside Housing) are frayed / melted. Can cause fire. I was replacing my bulb when I noticed the wires in the plug were completely stripped with no shielding. I traced it back to the connector and the wire shields were either frayed or completely gone
SRS LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. DEALER SAYS DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED. REPAIR WOULD COST $700.00. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS MODEL CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPAIR BY DEALER AT MERCEDES BENZ COST, AS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS MODEL AND LIKELY A DEFECT.
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. MECHANIC STATED FAILURE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOUNDS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HONDA'S LATEST PROBLEM.
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
3 patterns with matching reports.
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
3 mentions · 6.1% of complaints
Median mileage: 69,063 mi (2 usable records).
ODI 10640095 · 48,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Electrical system faulty. Front lowbeam headlight warning light on. Mechanic changed headlight bulb but it still did not work. After about a week the warning indicator went off and headlight worked. A few days went by and the indicator came on again. The low beam did not work. This time the left side marker lamp indicator came on and the bulb wasn't working. Before I could take it in for repair the side marker was working again. It goes off and on about every other month. Also, the indicator for one of the bulbs above my license plate goe…
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. MECHANIC STATED FAILURE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOUNDS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HONDA'S LATEST PROBLEM.
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.
TAKATA RECALL EITHER THESE AIRBAGS ARE SAFE AND THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE RESCINDED OR THE AIRBAGS ARE UNSAFE? IF DEEMED UNSAFE THEN ALL INVENTORIES AND PRODUCTION NEEDS TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. AIRBAG PRODUCTION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO CORRECT THIS RECALL INSTEAD OF NEW CAR PRODUCTION. 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 SETTLEMEN…
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Brake response concerns
1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 13,493 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10326787 · 13,493 mi
TL*THE 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. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,512.