Mercedes-Benz SLK Recalls (2013-2016)
The Mercedes-Benz SLK has been the subject of 8 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2013 to 2016 model years. They cluster mostly around the electrical system, air bags, and communication.
The Mercedes-Benz SLK scores 90 out of 100 (grade A), one of the cleaner recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 63% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 0% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 8 campaigns span 4 model years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK. The single largest affected 24,226 vehicles, over communication. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common SLK problems owners report.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Mercedes-Benz SLK may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Mercedes-Benz SLK recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Mercedes-Benz SLK recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK Recalls
5 recalls affect the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK, involving the communication, electronic stability control (esc), and suspension.
2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK, involving the communication, electronic stability control (esc), and exterior lighting.
2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK, involving the communication and air bags.
2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK, involving the communication, air bags, and electrical system.
Every Mercedes-Benz SLK recall in detail
Communication
- Affected years
- 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Vehicles in this recall
- 24,226
- Reported
- Nov 1, 2019
- Owners notified
- Dec 23, 2019
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
NHTSA campaign number 19V787000.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Affected years
- 2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Vehicles in this recall
- 5,818
- Reported
- May 9, 2017
- Owners notified
- Jun 9, 2017
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015 SLK 250, 2016 SLK 350, 2016-2017 SLC 300, and 2017 SLC 43 AMG vehicles. In these vehicles, the electronic stability control (ESC) system software may incorrectly keep the brakes slightly applied.
Risk: If brake pads are constantly applied over long periods of driving, the brake components may heat up, affecting braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the dragging brakes may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the ESC system, free of charge. The recall began June 9, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign number 17V308000.
Exterior Lighting
- Affected years
- 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Vehicles in this recall
- 100
- Reported
- Jun 15, 2016
- Owners notified
- Jul 22, 2016
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 SLK300, SLK350, SL400, SL550, and SL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from June 29, 2015, through July 13, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with low-beam headlights that may have been aimed incorrectly during vehicle production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Improperly adjusted low-beam headlights may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary adjust the headlamps, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign number 16V439000.
Suspension
- Affected years
- 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Vehicles in this recall
- 327
- Reported
- May 16, 2016
- Owners notified
- Jun 24, 2016
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 SLK300 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016 to April 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, improperly manufactured lock nuts may have been used on the rear wheel tie rod connection, and as a result, the rear wheel alignment may change and the rear axle may steer independently.
Risk: A change of the rear wheel alignment and independent steering of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock nuts on the rear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2016050008.
NHTSA campaign number 16V306000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Vehicles in this recall
- 223
- Reported
- Apr 13, 2016
- Owners notified
- May 9, 2016
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 SLK300 vehicles manufactured June 2, 2015 to July 14, 2015 and equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The backup power supply for the ignition switch in the affected vehicles may not have been properly connected. As a result, if the vehicle is being driven and there is a loss of power from the main vehicle battery, the transmission cannot be shifted to "Park" nor can the electric parking brake be applied.
Risk: In this situation, without the backup power supply, the only way to keep the vehicle from moving is to press the brake pedal. As soon as the driver attempts to exit the vehicle, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the ignition switch wiring and perform a software update, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign number 16V211000.
Engine And Engine Cooling
- Affected years
- 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Vehicles in this recall
- 857
- Reported
- Oct 16, 2015
- Owners notified
- Dec 23, 2015
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, and 2016 SLK300 roadster vehicles manufactured July 17, 2015, to August 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have intake or exhaust camshafts whose welds may fail and possibly cause engine damage.
Risk: Engine damage may result in a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected camshafts, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 9, 2015. The recall began on December 23, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes-Benz's number for this recall is 2015100006.
NHTSA campaign number 15V662000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Vehicles in this recall
- 311
- Reported
- Jul 1, 2014
- Owners notified
- Aug 18, 2014
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2014 SLK 250, SLK 350, SLK 55 AMG, SL 550, SL 63 AMG, and SL 65 AMG vehicles manufactured March 19, 2014, through May 5, 2014. Due to an air bag assembly error, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating front passenger air bag deployment, the front passenger seat airbag may not properly deploy, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger seat occupant.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz distributed an interim letter to owners on July 17, 2014. A second owner letter was mailed after parts became available in mid August 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372. Note: Until the vehicle has been remedied, owners are advised that passengers or other items should not be placed in the passenger seat.
NHTSA campaign number 14V386000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Vehicles in this recall
- 71
- Reported
- Jun 4, 2013
- Owners notified
- Jul 26, 2013
Defect: Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2013 SLK250 and SLK350 vehicles manufactured October 9, 2012, through November 20, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with an occupant classification system (OCS) that may not correctly differentiate between a child seat or a very light person being in the front passenger seat.
Risk: If the OCS incorrectly classifies a very light person as being a child seat, in the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, the system would deactivate the passenger airbag, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side seat cushion including the OCS. The recall began on July 26, 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-201-573-0600.
NHTSA campaign number 13V236000.
Common questions about Mercedes-Benz SLK recalls
- Does the Mercedes-Benz SLK have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 8 recall campaigns on record for the Mercedes-Benz SLK across the 2013 to 2016 model years. The most common areas are the electrical system, air bags, and communication.
- How many times has the Mercedes-Benz SLK been recalled?
- The Mercedes-Benz SLK has 8 recall campaigns from the 2013 to 2016 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Mercedes-Benz SLK recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the communication, affecting 24,226 vehicles. An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
- Which Mercedes-Benz SLK model year has the most recalls?
- The 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK has the most, with 5 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz SLK has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.