2002 Mercedes Benz Slk320 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (4) · Exterior Lighting (2) · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (1)
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (30)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 30 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-25 · Unknown Or Other“the cars ignition switch locks up and prevents the car from starting, it can also cause the car to stall when running creating a very dangerous situation. mercedes is aware of this problem with the ignition switch.…”
2025-12-05 · Exterior Lighting“previous recall 05v505 has been completed but the issue has returned the issue has been intermittent for a fee months but the tail light has been non op for a few months, i have tried different sockets and bulbs to no avail. the issue has not caused any incidents but i have no brake light on the drivers side due to melting on the lamp itself aswell…”
2023-06-01 · Exterior Lighting · 106,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz slk320. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message that the rear light had malfunctioned was displayed. upon inspection, it was discovered that while depressing the brake pedal, the driver’s side brake light failed to illuminate as needed. the vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who di…”
2023-03-27 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System · 145,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz slk320. the contact stated while driving 55 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate as it went into limp mode. several warning lights were illuminated. the contact stated that he had replaced the spark plugs and the accelerator pedal; however, the failure persisted, and the engine was misfiring. the vehicle was t…”
2016-10-11 · Service Brakes · 68,000 mi“the bas/esp light and sudden braking just occurred today(10.11.16) on our 2002 mercedes benz slk 320. this happened three times in about an hour of driving on city streets between 15 and 45 mph. one occurrence was while driving straight, the other two happened while changing lanes in moving traffic. the experience today was that the car had a br…”
2016-06-30 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights · 75,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz slk320. the contact stated that the tail lights failed and an unknown error message illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was previously serviced under a manufacturer satisfaction campaign; however, the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the tail light assemblies were rep…”
2015-06-26 · Service Brakes · 34,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz slk320. the contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle stalled and unknown warning lights illuminated. in addition, the brake automatically engaged causing the vehicle to restart. in addition, the rear and driver side mirrors automatically dimmed in lighting causing it harder to view the road …”
2014-09-29 · Service Brakes · 16,600 mi“fast moving traffic, dry weather. all of a sudden car applied brakes, thought i was having one of the tires breaking into pieces. this lasted until i pulled over and stopped, never experienced anything like this. an inexperienced driver in this fast traffic surely would have had an accident, maybe even fatally. anyway, i saw nothing broken, all ti…”
2014-07-10 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 98,500 mi“the car suddenly brakes for about one second, and the bas-esp lights illuminate, and it resumes to normal driving. *tr…”
2014-03-31 · Service Brakes · 64,807 mi“suddenly, for no reason, the right front brake activated, causing the car to pull to the right. this released within a second. i stopped and restarted. this happened again at about 60 miles per hour. i had the car checked by a certified mechanic. several sensors were replaced. the problem continued several more times. i called mercedes about the pr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.