2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK recalls and problems

The 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK has 2 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

2000 Mercedes-Benz Slk
Photo: 2000 Mercedes-Benz Slk by OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2000 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 7 SLK model years — 5th most.

2recalls
3complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
80,501median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Exterior Lighting

Nov 1, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V505000 · 69,278 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, failure of one of the side brake lights can occur. The base of the socket can be subject to thermal deformation over time.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FAILURE OF ONE OF THE SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS CAN OCCUR. THE BASE OF THE SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.

Risk: This deformation can cause movement in the socket-to-bulb connection, which could lead to a loosening of the electrical contacts in the socket, and failure of the bulb to illuminate.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE MOVEMENT IN THE SOCKET-TO-BULB CONNECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE SOCKET, AND FAILURE OF THE BULB TO ILLUMINATE.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the rear lamp modules. The recall began on September 12, 2006, to approximately 8,200 owners. Phase II mailing is schedule on or about November 3, 2006, and phase III mailing is schedule for January 2007 for the remaining owners. Owners of vehicles with the updated trim (post-face lift) will get an interim notice during November 2006, asking them to schedule an appointment for rear tail lamp replacement later in 2007. However, if they experience an actual rear lamp failure before they receive that notice, they should come to their dealer immediately for a free repair. Owners May contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz recall no. 2006080005.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Exterior Lighting

Jun 13, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V152000 · 27,863 vehicles

Problem: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the owner's manual does not contain the proper headlamp aiming instructions.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CONTAIN THE PROPER HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy & notes

Owners will be provided with headlamp aiming instructions, and directions for affixing these inserts to the operator's manual. Owner notification began July 15, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free instructions within a reasonable time should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-201-573-0117.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2004: 1 complaints200412008: 1 complaints20082014: 1 complaints20141

NHTSA investigations

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

DP05007 · opened Nov 7, 2005 · closed Mar 27, 2006
Summary

THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE COST OF REPLACING THE CONTAMINATED ELECTRONIC SELECTOR MODULE.SIMILARLY, IN PETITIONER?S CASE SHE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE SAFETY STOPPED AFTER THE LIQUID SPILLAGE.THE PETITIONER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING AND THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN

SQ01010 · opened Sep 25, 2001 · closed Feb 4, 2002

2000 vs. other Mercedes-Benz SLK years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2000. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK, the latest from Nov 1, 2005 (exterior lighting). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (2), exterior lighting (1), power train (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.