The Used Car Index

2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 problems

NHTSA lists 2 complaints for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK300, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-10.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MERCEDES-BENZ SLK300.

At a glance

Complaints
2
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
4
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
24,226
Investigations
1
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
84

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2100.0%
STRUCTURE150.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure2100.0%0.97
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate2100.0%0.83

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 2 tagged complaints of 2 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

4 recalls.

19V787000

Date: 2019-11-01. Systems: COMMUNICATION.

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

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V306000

Date: 2016-05-16. Systems: SUSPENSION.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V211000

Date: 2016-04-13. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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, t (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V662000

Date: 2015-10-16. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 1 open.

EA21002

Opened: 2021-09-17. Closed: Not listed.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

84 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
POWER TRAIN21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING14
ENGINE10
EQUIPMENT9
STRUCTURE7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
SUSPENSION3

11038187

Date: 2026-09-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9Ga TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9Ga TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been develop

11038186

Date: 2026-09-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

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

11037987

Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected. This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain. It may be mistaken for a harsh shift. Cause Modified oil qu

11037616

Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Complaint Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9Ga TRONIC automatic transmission) and 725.1 (NAG3 facelift/9Ga TRONIC automatic transmission facelift) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair (IPR) has been develo

11037228

Date: 2026-08-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING.

Complaint During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time. OR i??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 contro

11036101

Date: 2026-08-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

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. a ? If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary

11036077

Date: 2026-08-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Complaint This document is intended as a pre-case diagnostic reference for transmission related concerns. It will also ensure that if a case is necessary, all supporting documentation is available. This should not be used on its own as justification for creating a TIPS case. Cause The root cause wil

11035780

Date: 2026-08-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Complaint Mercedes-Benz USA is currently experiencing limited availability of transmission fluid specification ATF 236.17 due to a global supply constraint. 236.17 ATF 1L and 5L (PNs: A002989060312 and A002989060313) bottles are out of stock or in limited supply at Zep. This LI has been created with

11035005

Date: 2026-07-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

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

11033185

Date: 2026-05-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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: a ? HERMES (N112/9) control unit: event code B15CE00 is

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
SLK3002

Same model, other years

All model years | All Mercedes-Benz models

Other Mercedes-Benz models, 2016

Sources

Get this record as JSON

The free rate-limited demo needs no key.

curl "https://api.theusedcarindex.com/v1/demo/vehicle_risk?make=Mercedes-Benz&model=SLK300&year=2016"

Paid endpoint: https://api.theusedcarindex.com/v1/vehicle_risk. MCP endpoint: https://api.theusedcarindex.com/mcp.