Mercedes BENZ SLK Class Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mercedes BENZ SLK Class options? We analyzed 10 model years (2007–2016) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mercedes BENZ SLK Class has 84 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2007–2016. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2007 drew the most complaints; 2014 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Mercedes BENZ
- Model
- SLK Class
- Model years analyzed
- 2007–2016 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 84
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2007 (37 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2014 (3 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Below Average
By model year
Mercedes BENZ SLK Class: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
Below AverageThe MERCEDES BENZ SLK CLASS has 84 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 84 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 0 federal recall campaigns
- 1 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
0 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2007–2016. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 84 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
84 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
MARS RED PAINT FAILURE-
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR TO AIR INTER-COOLER DESIGN THAT CAUSES WATER TO COLLECT AND THEN BE INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE UNDER SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE INGESTION OF THE WATER CAUSES THE COMPUTER TO BELIEVE THERE IS AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND PUTS IT INTO "LIMP MODE"; SUDDENLY AND SEVERELY CUTTING POWER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60/70 MPH), IN TRAFFIC, IT CAUSES SITUATIONS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. THE PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED AT NIGHT AND/OR DURING BAD WEATHER WHERE VISIBILITY IS BAD AND ROAD CONTROL IS REDUCED. NOTE THAT THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING VERY HUMID (RAINY/FOGGY/MISTY/..) WEATHER AND IT CAN TAKE TWO PLUS HOURS OF CONSTANT DRIVING, DEPENDING ON SPEED AND HUMIDITY, FOR WATER TO COLLECT TO A POINT WHERE THE PROBLEM CAN OCCUR. MERCEDES IS AWARE. A BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SOUTH EAST US BUT NO FIX IS AVAILABLE OR PLANNED. THIS AFFECTS ALL R172 SLK250, FROM LATE 2012 THROUGH 2015. WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 3 TIMES OVER TWO YEARS (OCT/13, NOV/14, NOV/15) AND WE'VE ONLY RECENTLY DISCOVERED REASON FOR THE OCCURANCES. THE LAST TWO EVENTS WERE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, IN RAIN, ON INTERSTATES, AT 65/70 MPH AND BOTH VERY NEARLY RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A SEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED. WE HAVE TALKED TO OUR DEALER (VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW) AND BASICALLY TOLD TO SELL/TRADE OR LIVE WITH IT. NOTE ALSO THAT THIS PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS ON SOME MERCEDES BENZ C300 MODELS FOR WHICH A 'HACK' HAS BEEN ISSUED. A HOLE, SIZE UNKNOWN BUT PROBABLY IN THE 2-4 MM RANGE, IS DRILLED IN THE LOW POINT IN THE INTER-COOLER ALLOWING THE WATER TO BE BLOWN OUT BY THE COMPRESSED AIR. THIS 'HACK' IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE SLK 250.
ROOF LEAKS PASSENGER SIDE. HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER 4 TIMES BETWEEN NOV 2014 AND APR 2015 (2-1/2 MONTHS IN SHOP PLUS 97 MILES DRIVEN) AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE WHEN MY POWER STEERING AND AC WENT OUT AND A BATTERY WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. SHORTLY AFTER, ANOTHER WARNING APPEARED SAYING TO TURN OFF ENGINE. I HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND ENDED UP HAVING TO BE TOWED. THEY DETERMINED I NEEDED A NEW COMPRESSOR, NEW PULLEYS, AND A NEW BELT. AFTER IT WAS "FIXED" THE AC STILL WOULDN'T TURN ON AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FRONT SAM CONSOLE ISSUE. I GOT THE SAM REPLACED AND THEN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. MA 10/22/2015 UPDATED 11/27/2017*CN
ON 3/22/2012 WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF LEAVING A DRIVEWAY, THE RIGHT WHEEL SLOWLY SEIZED (WITHIN 100 FEET), ABS AND ESC WARNINGS APPEARED AND THE CAR BECAME IMMOBILIZED. THE CAR WAS FLAT-BEDDED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE AND RELATED WHEEL/PARTS WERE REPLACED. ON 6/23/2012 AT ABOUT 25 MPH, THE ABS, ESC WARNINGS SHOWED, THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT ON BRAKING. THE CAR WAS PULLED OVER AND PARKED, AND AGAIN FLAT-BEDDED TO THE DEALER. THE LEFT STEERING KNUCKLE AND RELATED PARTS WERE REPLACED. IN SHORT, THE RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE FAILED, AT LOW SPEED FORTUNATELY, AND THREE MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. HAD THESE FAILURES OCCURRED AT HIGHER SPEED, THEY WOULD HAVE PRESENTED A SERIOUS STEERING CONTROL PROBLEM. *TR
NOT A FAILURE, BUT I NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT LABELING DISCREPANCY ON MY 2009 MERCEDES BENZ SLK300. THE TIRE LABEL ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR INCORRECTLY LISTS THE OEM TIRE SIZE AS 205-55-16 FRONT AND 225-50-16 REAR. THE VEHICLE IN REALITY IS FITTED WITH 225-45-17 FRONT AND 245-40-17 REAR; THESE ARE NOT OPTIONAL TIRES/WHEELS EITHER - THEY ARE THE STANDARD SIZE AND WERE LISTED ON THE WINDOW STICKER AS SUCH. THEREFORE, IT IS ALSO NOT CLEAR TO ME IF THE SIZE DISCREPANCY ON THE LABEL ALSO MAY MEAN THAT THE LISTED TIRE PRESSURE DO OR DO NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. *TR
Read 14 more owner reports
The anti whip lash prevention malfunctioned and the headrest was launched forwards
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. I scanned the OBD again and found code P0002 and a second code P000277 that was listed as stored and current Both codes refer to an issue with the high pressure fuel pump. I just recently purchased this vehicle with 35170 miles. I had the OBD scanned prior to purchase, there were no codes at that time so we purchased the vehicle. We've since put 1000 miles on the vehicle and without any warning, this issue suddenly happened. I have done some research and Mercedes offered an extended 120000 mile/10 year warranty that addressed this exact issue, however, that warranty is now up due to the age of the vehicle. This issue put us and others at server risk of a major accident do to this issue happening with no warning. I haven't tried to reproduce the scenario that occurred, however the codes remain on the OBD computer.
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, causing an electrical short circuit of the convertible roof controls and the courtesy lights located in the overhead panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the convertible top needed to be replaced; however, the convertible roof top was no longer manufactured. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
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 BOW NOTICEABLY WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE APPROXIMATELY 85 DEGREES. WHEN THE ROOF PANEL BOWS IT CREATES CONSIDERABLE WIND NOISE, AND RAISES POSSIBLE CONCERNS OF WATER ENTERING THE INTERIOR IF DRIVEN WHILE RAINING OR POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE ENTIRE ROOF PANEL FROM THE AUTOMOBILE. THE AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO REPAIR OTHER THAN AN ENTIRE ROOF REPLACEMENT AT CONSIDERABLE COST (ABOUT $4,000). MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS CUSTOMER CARE (ATLANTA, GA) OFFERED NO SOLUTION OR REMUNERATION FOR REPAIR OF THIS STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN. I LEARNED OF THE CAUSE OF THE ROOF SEPARATION ISSUE VIA ONLINE RESEARCH, SPECIFICALLY WITH SLK WORLD OWNERS GROUP HAVING THE MOST INFORMATION. THE ROOF ISSUE APPEARS REAL WITH MANY OWNERS ATTEMPTING THEIR OWN RE-GLUING REPAIRS RATHER THAN PAYING SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A COMPLETE ROOF REPLACEMENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK172. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V236000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED WALKER MERCEDES-BENZ (6655 COLISEUM BLVD, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71303, (318) 321-3316) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,005. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
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 ISSUE UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. I FEEL EARLY FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN OR RELATED PARTS IS IMMINENT.
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 BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,500.
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 PANO ROOF WITH A VINYL LINER BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GLUE AS EXPOSED. THE WINDOWS WERE RATTLING ABNORMALLY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE ROOF WAS STILL LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES BUT PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21000.
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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. *TR
While driving on the highway the roof polycarbonate top started to buffet at speed prompting a rapid deceleration of the car for fear of the roof flying off. The car has been evaluated at the Mercedes dealer which stated that the roof was delaminating. I am now unable to drive to convertible with the top up for fear of a mechanical failure placing other motorists at risk of flying debris.
My mechanic says it's the fuel filter and it has been discontinued. I am a single woman and I am now afraid to drive my car. l am stressed about breaking down or being killed. Please help me. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that as she pulled over and parked the vehicle, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated for the driver's side rear tire. When the contact exited the vehicle, she saw that the rim hub cap had detached from the driver's side rear wheel. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who removed the tire and sent it to a local dealer. The mechanic at the local dealer made the contact aware of a crack on the side wall. Additionally, the contact stated that the tire was taken to the original place of purchase, and the claims team determined the failure was caused by damage from the rim and advised the contact to call the vehicle manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the spare tire was installed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the front passenger’s side headrest erroneously deployed. During the failure no crash had occurred, and no passenger was seated in the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but not assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 48,000.
GLOVE BOX FACING HAS DETACHED FROM THE LOWER SIDE. IT HANGS FURTHER OUT THAN THE GLOVE BOX AND COULD BE A DANGER TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN A HARD STOP. IT STARTED COMING APART 3 YEARS AGO. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR. IT CAME APART OVER TIME FROM HEAT AND SUB-STANDARD GLUE. *TR
Showing 20 of 84 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mercedes BENZ SLK Class
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Mercedes BENZ SLK Class, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mercedes BENZ SLK Class has 84 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mercedes BENZ SLK Class has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 1 of the Mercedes BENZ SLK Class's 84 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mercedes BENZ SLK Class vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mercedes BENZ SLK Class vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mercedes BENZ SLK Class has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Mercedes BENZ SLK Class stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Mercedes BENZ SLK Class.
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Mercedes BENZ SLK Class reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes BENZ SLK Class reliable?
Below Average. The Mercedes BENZ SLK Class has 84 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mercedes BENZ SLK Class years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2007 (37 complaints), 2008 (14 complaints), 2012 (12 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Mercedes BENZ SLK Class problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (40 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (10 complaints); STRUCTURE (9 complaints).
Does the Mercedes BENZ SLK Class have recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are currently on record for the Mercedes BENZ SLK Class. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.