The 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 97,141 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
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
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…
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.
Consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
VISIBILITY
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1
Total complaints23
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While driving under 30 mph, vehicle randomly applies front or rear brake causing a loud braking squeal and causing the car to buck or pitch to one side. It has occurred from a stopped position as I started to accelerate, but 90% of the time it occurs at speeds under 30-35 mph while just driving in…”
“While driving under 30 mph, vehicle randomly applies front or rear brake causing a loud braking squeal and causing the car to buck or pitch to one side. It has occurred from a stopped position as I started to accelerate, but 90% of the time it occurs at speeds under 30-35 mph while just driving in…”
“The esp light comes on, the car pulls to right and the speed pedal does not work. It happens while accelerating and almost had an accident due to lack of power to cross a major intersection. The esp light comes on and automatically disables the speed/gas pedal. *tr”
“The esp light comes on, the car pulls to right and the speed pedal does not work. It happens while accelerating and almost had an accident due to lack of power to cross a major intersection. The esp light comes on and automatically disables the speed/gas pedal. *tr”
“The automatically dimming interior rear view mirror has leaked part of liquid crystal fluid, severely distorting the reflected image. In addition, since the mirror does not have ant manual adjustment for day/night selection, any bright lights from behind tend to blind or at least interfere with…”
“Mercedes benz slk320 just dies out while driving. No warning lights or anything before the motor stops and the car loses power. Happens sporadically. Mercedes benz cannot detect the direct problem even after diagnosis. Continues to blame it on something else, then fixes it, but it continues to…”
“The engine died while I was driving in traffic. I managed to coast to a corner and get off the main street. After repeated attempts, the engine restarted and ran normally, only to die in traffic again about 5 minutes later. *tr”
“Inside rear view mirror leaked and now does not dim and is very cloudy and hard to see out of when driving. *tr”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP05007 Opened 2005-11-07 · closed 2006-03-27
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION
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…
InvestigationDP05007 Opened 2005-11-07 · closed 2006-03-27
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION
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…
InvestigationPE05051 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2005-12-02
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
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…
InvestigationSQ01010 Opened 2001-09-25 · closed 2002-02-04
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Slk as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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