2013 Mercedes-Benz Slk250 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (2) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Structure:body:roof And Pillars (1)
Safety recalls (2)
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:software 2013-06-04 · campaign 13V236000 · 71 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (64)
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,
Steering 2026-08-28 · LI46.35-P-067339 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint during part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. or rattling, humming, dry sliding/gravel noise from the electric steering system when steering (see attachment). complaint does not impact the ability to safely steer or control
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
Electrical System 2026-05-26 · LI82.85-P-080507 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint after successful commissioning of the hermes control unit (n112/9) with xentry diagnosis dvd 03/2026, the message "sos - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. in addition, the following two conditions are also met: • hermes (n112/9) control unit: event code b15ce00 is a
Showing the 6 most recent of 64 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-21 · Unknown Or Other“the anti whip lash prevention malfunctioned and the headrest was launched forwards …”
2026-05-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“while passing a vehicle on a two lane road, my vehicle lost power and went into limp mode nearly causing a head on accident. the check engine light came on and i immediately went to o'reilly's auto parts store and had their obd scanner read the code. ap0002 code was read. i immediately returned home and the check engine light automatically cleared.…”
2022-12-08 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars · 74,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz slk250. the contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the convertible roof cover started to pull away from the cross-support members connected to the windshield. the contact stated that the separation failure of the roof top become more pronounced, and water there was water leaking into the vehicle, ca…”
2020-12-15 · Structure:body · 36,500 mi“complaint concerns the roof top panel problem on a 2013 mercedes benz slk 250. the roof issue occurred in july 2020 when the slk 250 had about 36,000 miles. the roof panel on the convertible top separated from the underlying cross-support member causing the roof panel to expand and separate which then causes the front part of the roof panel to bo…”
2018-09-06 · Engine · 57,000 mi“significant timing chain rattle while driving in the 2200-2900 rpm range. engine has less than 70k miles and it seems that the chain has stretched or is tensioner is failing. mercedes claims they cannot find source of rattle and refuses to fix it, but online forums indicate this is a known issue for this engine. i feel they are deferring the iss…”
2015-08-25 · Vehicle Speed Control · 5,500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes benz slk 250. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as the check engine warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that one of the cylinders malfunctioned and needed to …”
2014-04-14 · Structure:body · 21,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes benz slk250. the contact stated that there was a random leak from the roof of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who replaced the sealant twice but the failure recurred. the contact had taken the vehicle back to the authorized dealer where the hard top convertible roof was replaced with a…”
2013-07-01 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 100 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes slk250. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was fuel seen leaking from under the hood of the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis where it was advised that the fuel line clamp needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. the ap…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.