2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK recalls and problems

The 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK has 2 recalls and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is visibility.

2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk
Pictured: a 2001 model; the 2002 may differ in details. Photo: 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2002 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 7 SLK model years — the most of any year.

2recalls
25complaints
1crashes
0fires
0injuries
33,139median 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

2003: 4 complaints200342004: 3 complaints20042005: 3 complaints20052006: 3 complaints20062007: 2 complaints20072008: 1 complaints20082009: 2 complaints20092010: 4 complaints20102011: 2 complaints20112013: 1 complaints20131

NHTSA investigations

BRAKE LAMP FAILURE

PE05051 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Dec 2, 2005 · led to recall 05V505000
Summary

IN ITS LETTER DATED OCTOBER 28, 2005, MERCEDES-BENZ USA STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY DEFECTIVE BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES IN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SLK VEHICLES.THE BASE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE MOVEMENT IN THE SOCKET-TO-BULB CONNECTION, WHICH MAY LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE SOCKET, AND FAILURE OF THE BULB TO ILLUMINATE.ALL REAR LAMP MODULES (WHICH CONTAIN BRAKE, TURN SIGNAL, TAIL AND BACKUP LAMPS) WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED REAR LAMP MODULES WITH A MORE HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL AND ENHANCED SOCKET HOLDER DESIGN TO WITHSTAND THE HEAT INSIDE THE REAR LAMP MODULE.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V505 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

2002 vs. other Mercedes-Benz SLK years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2002 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 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention visibility (8), electrical system (5), exterior lighting (4). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.