2008 Mercedes Benz SLK350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 4 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 4 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10910071 · 2016-09-27 (September 27, 2016)
TAKATA RECALL. RECALL IN FEBRUARY 2016, NOTIFIED IN MAY 2016, AND WAS ADVISED RECENTLY BY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THAT PARTS TO REPAIR ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, OTHER BRANDS (HONDA) HAVE EXCESS PARTS BUT MERCEDES HAS NONE. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR OVER 4 MONTHS DUE TO THIS DEADLY SAFETY RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10910071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11056363 · 2017-12-25 (December 25, 2017)
THE DEALER IN FOOTHILL RANCH CA REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR WHEN I TOOK IT TO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG REPLACED ON NOVEMBER 24, 2017. I WAS TOLD THE LITIGATION WAS NOT FINISHED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. MY LIFE IS A RISK. PLEASE FIX IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11056363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11090251 · 2018-04-26 (April 26, 2018)
TAKATA RECALL. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A YEAR NOW FOR A REPLACEMENT TO BE AVAILABLE. THE DATE FOR A REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY PUSHED BACK, AND IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN, IF EVER, A FIX WILL BE AVAILABLE. MERCEDES NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO GET THIS FIXED, OR TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11090251 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111175 · 2018-07-13 (July 13, 2018)
I HAVE CONTACTED 'EROCARS' IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, FIVE TOMES REGARDING THE TAKAT SAFETY RECALL, ALL THE TIME I RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER; 'WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU' BUT NO ONE HAS CALLED ME BACK YET. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11111175 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-11 (February 11, 2016)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V168000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm):Software | Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module:Software | Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software
Reported: 2022-03-18 (March 18, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair. This can result in various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions, including stability and traction control.
Consequence: Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040003.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-03.
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 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 10328705 · 31,300 miINFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 30 APR 10 - 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350; THE VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT AND RECENTLY HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT OUT. HAD SERVICE DONE UNDER WARRANTY AND ALSO HAD BRAKES AND FRONT ROTORS REPLACED. 1 MAY 10 THE SRS RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION VISIT WORKSHOP MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. 3 MAY 10, TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR SERVICE AND A SHORT TEST WAS PERFORMED RESULTING IN CODE 4… | 969.2%ODI 10910005I WON'T DRIVE MY CAR DUE TO THE RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED IN MAY 2016 AND I CAN'T SELL IT . SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO WITH IT? I WAS TOLD THAT I AM ON A VERY LONG LIST AND BASICALLY TO BAD. SO I HAVE A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE( OR SHOULDN'T) AND CAN'T SELL BUT I NEED TO INSURE IT....I THINK THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BUY THESE CARS BACK. I WOULD LIKE A CAR I CAN DRIVE. | 4100.0%ODI 10910071TAKATA RECALL. RECALL IN FEBRUARY 2016, NOTIFIED IN MAY 2016, AND WAS ADVISED RECENTLY BY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THAT PARTS TO REPAIR ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, OTHER BRANDS (HONDA) HAVE EXCESS PARTS BUT MERCEDES HAS NONE. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR OVER 4 MONTHS DUE TO THIS DEADLY SAFETY RECALL. |
| Power Train | 419.0%ODI 10482114 · 45,000 miFIRST INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN (MALIBU CANYON ROAD) AROUND 10:30PM AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF GEAR BY ITSELF AND I HAD NO FORWARD CONTROL. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGED. I WAS GOING DOWNHILL BUT IT TOOK ME AWHILE TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO CELLPHONE SERVICE IN THAT LOCATION SO I WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES TO FLAG SOMEONE DOWN. NO ONE CAME BY SO I RESTARTED MY CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK INTO GEAR. THE SECOND INCIDENT MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE 101 FREEWAY… | 550.0%ODI 10473614 · 25,868 miSEVERE JERK AS VEHICLE DECELERATED AROUND 10-12 MPH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND TEST DROVE WITH TECHNICIAN WHO VERIFIED THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES FOUND. I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A SNAP RING FAILURE WITHIN THE GEAR BOX. INVOICE INDICATES "RETAINING CLIP FAILURE INSIDE TRANSMISSION, VERIFIED SEVERE 3-2 DOWN SHIFT, SHORT TEST NO CODES.CHECK OF ADAPTATION DATA FOUND 3-2 DOWN SHIFT AT NEGATIVE LIMIT. REMOVED TRANSMISSION AND INSPECTED, FOUND B1 RETAINING CLIP FAILURE. REPLACE B1 AND B3 TENSIONING S… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 29.5%ODI 10667301 · 67,501 miJUST GOT OFF THE HIGH WAY AND DRIVE ONTO A LOCAL STREET, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR FORWARD OR REVERSE. END UP HAVING TO TOW THE CAR. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE I WAS AT THE HIGHWAY. *TR | 220.0%ODI 10810418 · 76,000 mi3 ISSUES--CAMSHAFT SELENOID; DEFECTIVE GEAR IN THE BALANCE SHAFTS OF THE ENGINE; TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY DEFECT. ALL THREE OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED BY MERCEDES INTERNAL DOCUMENTS AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON GOING FOR THE DEFECTIVE GEAR IN THE BALANCE SHAFTS OF THE ENGINE RIGHT NOW. THESE ARE CRITICAL ISSUES AS THE CAR CAN LOSE POWER. WITH REGARD TO THE BALANCE SHAFT ISSUES, METAL FROM THE SHAFT DETERIORATES AND THAT INFILTRATES THE OTHER ENGINE PARTS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO PREMATURELY FAIL. ALMOST ALL OF THE REPORTS ON TH… | 323.1%ODI 10888967 · 51,000 miEXITED ONTO FREEWAY OFFRAMP AND CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF (THERE WAS A LITTLE SHAKING PRIOR AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON). WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND DRIVE 1/2 MILE TO LOOK FOR PARKING SPOT. WHEN BACKING INTO PARKING SPOT, CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK HOME - ON FREEWAY - AND DROP AT REPAIR SHOP - BUT, WE WERE SCARED TO DEATH. AFTER RESEARCHING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED, WE LEARNED OUR CHOICE TO DRIVE WAS NOT WISE AS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THIS TYPE OF DEFECT - 13 DEATHS. SEE HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERREPOR… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 628.6%ODI 11047045 · 160,000 miTHE EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE ARM REST COMPARTMENT. TRACED THE LINE BACK TO REAR TIRES AND NOTHING ELECTRICAL COULD BE SEEN TOUCHING BRAKE CABLE LINE. SO NO OBVIOUS REASON WHY CABLE WOULD IGNITE. I WAS PARKED IN CAR PORT STALL AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO A FRIENDS HOUSE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes | 523.8%ODI 10566444 · 35,000 miIGNITION SWITCHES INADVERTENTLY TURN FROM "RUN" TO "ACCESSORY" POSITION WHILE CAR IS DRIVEN AND I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO KEEP GOING. I WOKE UP TO READ IN THE NEWSPAPER TODAY (2/28/2014) THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE GM FAULTED IGNITION DEATHS AND THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IS IN MY CAR AND STILL EXISTS IN THIS VEHICLE. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT IT SCARES ME. I TOLD THE LOCAL NEW CAR DEALERSHIP ON THIS AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2,000.00 TO FIX IT AND I SHOULD WAIT TILL IT GETS WORSE BEFORE FIXING IT. PLEASE ADVISE ON ANY HELP I C… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension | 523.8%ODI 11307869REAR SUBFRAME RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. DUE TO POOR DESIGN, THERE IS AN ARCH THAT HOLDS WATER IN AND THE WATER CAN'T GET OUT CAUSING IT RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. SEARCHING MERCEDES ONLINE FORUMS, THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM LOTS OF PEOPLE PROBLEM AND MERCEDES DENIES THIS PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT IF I DON'T REPLACE IT. HTTPS://WWW.SLKWORLD.COM/SEARCH/55011/?Q=SUBFRAME&O=RELEVANCE HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?Q=MERCEDES+SUBFRAME+RUST&OQ=MERCEDES+SUBFRAME+RU&AQS=CHROME.1.69I57J0L3.10211J0J7&CLIE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 29.5%ODI 10566444 · 35,000 miIGNITION SWITCHES INADVERTENTLY TURN FROM "RUN" TO "ACCESSORY" POSITION WHILE CAR IS DRIVEN AND I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO KEEP GOING. I WOKE UP TO READ IN THE NEWSPAPER TODAY (2/28/2014) THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE GM FAULTED IGNITION DEATHS AND THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IS IN MY CAR AND STILL EXISTS IN THIS VEHICLE. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT IT SCARES ME. I TOLD THE LOCAL NEW CAR DEALERSHIP ON THIS AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2,000.00 TO FIX IT AND I SHOULD WAIT TILL IT GETS WORSE BEFORE FIXING IT. PLEASE ADVISE ON ANY HELP I C… | 110.0%ODI 10811255 · 8,446 miWHILE DRIVING VEHICLE POWER CAN BE LOST & VEHICLE CAN BE STUCK IN 1ST GEAR OR NO GEAR AT ALL CAUSING BLOCKAGE TO TRAFFIC AND POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ONCE YOU TURN CAR OFF IT APPEARS THE CAR RESETS ITSELF AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPEN. WHEN REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP IT WAS STATED NO CODES POP UP SO I MUST BE HITTING THE SHIFT. NOT KNOWING ANY BETTER & NOT BEING A MECHANIC, WHO AM I TO CONTINUE TO QUESTION THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP? NO CODE NO ACTION. (1ST REPORTED WITH 8446 MILEAGE NEVER SHOWED A CODE). AT 63,000 MILES THE ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14.8%ODI 10482114 · 45,000 miFIRST INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN (MALIBU CANYON ROAD) AROUND 10:30PM AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF GEAR BY ITSELF AND I HAD NO FORWARD CONTROL. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGED. I WAS GOING DOWNHILL BUT IT TOOK ME AWHILE TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO CELLPHONE SERVICE IN THAT LOCATION SO I WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES TO FLAG SOMEONE DOWN. NO ONE CAME BY SO I RESTARTED MY CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK INTO GEAR. THE SECOND INCIDENT MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE 101 FREEWAY… | 220.0%ODI 10253355 · 14,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK250. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPROACH A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN RPM'S AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES FROM THE CRASH AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. HE … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
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
| 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 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
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: 1 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 4 | 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 | Air Bags |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.