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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Mercedes Benz SLK Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 19 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2001 Mercedes Benz SLK owner complaints

Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK, describing incidents dated July 20, 2004 to June 1, 2013.

Most-cited components

  • Visibility/Wiper 6 complaints
  • Electrical System 3 complaints
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 2 complaints
  • Engine 2 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints

Together, the 19 complaints on file report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10514641 · Filed

    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 A…

  • ODI #10464759 · Filed

    REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILED OVER AND OVER SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 2001. DEALER REPLACED BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES AND LAST REPLACED L & R BULBS ON 12/29/2006 AT 29005 MILES. IN APRIL 2007 A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR REAR BRAKE LAMPS FAILURE. REAR LAMPS FAILED ONCE AGAIN AT 39697 MILES AND VEHICLE WAS…

  • ODI #10438662 · Filed

    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

Read all 19 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

REAR LAMP MODULES

NHTSA #05V505000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported November 1, 2005 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Potentially affected: 69,278 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2006080005 · Owners notified September 12, 2006 · Vehicles built November 1, 1996 – April 30, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 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.

Notes

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.

MERCEDES BENZ/FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP AIMING

NHTSA #02V152000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported June 13, 2002 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Potentially affected: 27,863 vehicles

Owners notified July 15, 2002 · Vehicles built September 1, 1999 – May 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Mercedes Benz SLK model years

Check your 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercedes Benz SLK at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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