2007 Mercedes Benz SLK280

Routine

Owners filed 23 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags15
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Seat Belts1
000
Power Train1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000
Air Bags › Frontal1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Engine Control Module (ecu/Ecm) › Software22V168000
Filed Mar 18, 202222 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles. Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair. This can result in various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions, including stability and traction control.

Risk. Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control, can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040003.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V081000
Filed Feb 11, 2016711,159 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Feb 19, 2026UT

I am the owner of a 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 with VIN: [XXX]. My vehicle was part of the Takata airbag recall, but the airbags were never replaced. Currently, the NHTSA recall status for my VIN shows "no active recalls," even though the repair was not completed. This creates a serious safety risk. I request that NHTSA investigate why my VIN is marked as remedied or closed despite the airbags not being replaced. I urge NHTSA to take appropriate action to ensure the recall is properly addressed for my vehicle and others in similar situations. Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags
Filed Jul 19, 201829,000 milesOH

TAKATA RECALL. THERE WAS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN TO RECALL MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS-- NUMBER 16V081000. I WAS CONTACTED BY MAIL NUMEROUS TIMES MY MERCEDES NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, INDICATING THERE WAS A RECALL AND THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG WAS ON ORDER. THEY INDICATED I WOULD BE CONTACTED LATER WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE AT MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER. I WAS CONTACTED LOCALLY AND THEY SAID THE PART WAS ON ORDER, I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN IT ARRIVED. NO NOTIFICATION OCCURRED. RECENTLY I CALLED THE DEALER'S PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY INDICATED THEY HAD MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAG IN STOCK. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY INDICATED "THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN CLOSED" (AS OF MARCH 2018). I CALLED THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE CAMPAIGN WAS CLOSED. THEIR REASON WAS THAT THEY HAD DONE AN "EXPERIMENT" ON MERCEDES SLKS AND DETERMINED THAT A RECALL WAS NOT NEEDED. THAT IS, THEY CHANGED THEIR MINDS ABOUT THE TAKATA AIRBAG IN THE CAR. I AM CHECKING WITH YOU TO VERIFY THAT MERCEDES WAS PERMITTED BY YOU TO CLOSE THEIR TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL FOR THE MERCEDES 2007 SLK 280 MODEL AND THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I ALSO NOTE THAT NATIONAL MERCEDES NEVER CONTACTED ME REGARDING THE CLOSING OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 12, 201812,600 milesNY

I REMAIN UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT TAKEDA AIRBAGS FROM MERCEDES BENZ FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. WHEN I LAST FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA ON 12/26/2017 (COMPLAINT NUMBER 11056636) I WAS INFORMED BY MERCEDES, [XXX] , VP CUSTOMER SERVICES THAT MY CAR REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS WOULD BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 30, 2018 AND THAT MERCEDES WOULD BE CALLING ME TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT FOR "REPLACEMENT FREE AIRBAGS".TO BE INSTALLED IN MY CAR-NO CALL, NO AIRBAGS. I HAVE WAITED 3 YEARS. MY CARE REMAINS IN MY GARAGE. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT PROTECTING ME AGAINST A FOREIGN COMPANY DOING HARM IN AMERICA, TAKEDA-WHO KNEW THE AIRBAGS WERE DANGEROUS WHEN THEY SOLD ME MY $56,000 USELESS CAR SITTING IN MY GARAGE, 2007 SLK WITH 12, 600 MILES ON IT. IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT FOR MERCEDES AND TAKEDA TO MAKE A PROFIT THAN FOR ME TO BE IN A SAFE CAR. I NEED ASSISTANCE TO OBTAIN SAFE AIRBAGS FOR MY CAR SO THAT I WILL NOT BE ANOTHER STATISTIC FOR TAKEDA-NO JOKE. PLEASE DO NOT LET THEM OFF THE HOOK. THEY MUST BE HELD RESPONSIBLE/ACCOUNTABLE. MY CAR IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR 3 YEARS! HELP ME PLEASE. THANK YOU, [XXX] , MD, PHD, JD INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 21, 2018CA

2007 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 280. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

Air Bags
Filed May 15, 2018MO

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS CITY, MO), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

Air Bags
Filed Dec 26, 201711,000 milesNY

I AM UNABLE TO GET REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS AND WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I CALLED 2 DEALERSHIPS TODAY, AGAIN (MERCEDES BENZ MASSAPEQUA AND ROCKVILLE CENTER) AND NEITHER HAS RECEIVED THE AIRBAGS FROM TAKEDA.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 19, 201712 milesDC

TAKATA RECALL

Air Bags
Filed Dec 6, 2017IL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SULLIVAN-PARKHILL IMPORTS (401 W MARKETVIEW DR, CHAMPAIGN, IL) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 13, 2017WA

TAKATA RECALL: THE MERCADES DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS AND DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THEY MIGHT BE AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 27, 2017NC

TAKATA RECALL EITHER THESE AIRBAGS ARE SAFE AND THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE RESCINDED OR THE AIRBAGS ARE UNSAFE? IF DEEMED UNSAFE THEN ALL INVENTORIES AND PRODUCTION NEEDS TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. AIRBAG PRODUCTION SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO CORRECT THIS RECALL INSTEAD OF NEW CAR PRODUCTION. COULD THIS BE A STALL TACTIC BY THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS? EVERY YEAR THAT PASSES A CERTAIN % OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES END THEIR USEFUL LIVES. MANUFACTURERS THEREFORE RECOGNIZE A LOWER REPLACEMENT COST. EVEN THOUGH A LARGE MONETARY SETTLEMENT WAS DIRECTED TO THE MANUFACTURERS. IF THERE IS A DECISION TO BE MADE REGARDING SAFETY, THEN THERE IS NO DECISION TO BE MADE- ALWAYS TAKE THE SAFE COURSE. ORDER ALL AIRBAG PRODUCTION TO BE DIRECTED TO THIS RECALL! FIX THIS PROBLEM! THANK YOU

Air Bags
Filed Oct 24, 201793,000 milesKY

TAKATA RECALL. I STOPPED BY MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS RECALL. ACCORDING TO JAMES MOTOR CO. LEXINGTON, KY, CURRENTLY THERE ISN'T A REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE. THAT JAMES MOTOR CO. WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT. AFTER RECEIVING A NOTIFICATION FROM TK HOLDINGS INC. I SEE WHERE THEY ARE FILING CHAPTER 11. I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY NOT WANT TO MAKE THE REPLACEMENT. I WENT TO TAKATA.COM, TKRESTRUCTURING.COM BOTH OF WHICH DID NOT WORK. THESE INTERNET ADDRESSES WERE LISTED ON THE FLYER I RECEIVED FROM TK HOLDINGS INC. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO PROCEED. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 20, 2016TX

2007 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 280. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG REPAIR COSTS ISSUES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD COST $665 TO ACCESS THE AIR BAG. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Dec 19, 201669,000 milesIL

NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED SINCE BEING NOTIFIED IN APRIL OF THE RECALL. RECALL#16V-081

Air Bags
Filed Dec 9, 2016CA

TAKATA RECALL THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. MY VEHICLE IS A 2007. HOW MUCH LONGER WILL IT TAKE FOR MERCEDES TO MAKE A RECALL AND RECTIFY THE AIRBAGS THAT PRESENTS A POTENTIAL AND DANGEROUS HAZARD? I WANT PEACE OF MIND AND IT IS DISTRESSING AND STRESSFUL TO KNOW THAT THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR PRESENT SUCH A HAZARD TO MY LIFE AND SAFETY. LOS ANGELES DOES EXPERIENCE HUMID AND HOT WEATHER ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER TIME. TAKATA AND MERCEDES BENZ OUGHT TO MAKE THOSE LIVING IN LOS ANGELES ONE OF THE PRIORITIES. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 20, 2016FL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 30, 201664,000 milesNJ

TAKATA RECALL, AT 64,000 MILES THE FUEL PUMP WENT BAD ON 2007 SLK280. CAR DROVE 20MILES AT MOST A DAY. TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND HAD IT STALLED EVERY TEMPTED.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 25, 2016105,000 milesCA

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STOPS SHIFTING LEAVING VEHICLE IN 3RD GEAR. ERROR CODE P2767 AND P2768. CREATES DANGEROUS CONDITION ON FREEWAYS SURROUNDED BY SPEEDING CARS. DEALER SAYS ONLY THEY CAN FIX FOR ALMOST $2000.00 DOLLARS.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 22, 201590,125 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH A PASSENGER AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INSTRUCTING TO TAKE CAR FOR SERVICE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND NO OBJECT WAS STRUCK. MERCEDES MECHANIC ADVISED THAT AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THIS FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. MECHANIC STATED FAILURE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. APPARENTLY MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOUNDS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HONDA'S LATEST PROBLEM.

Power Train
Filed Oct 23, 201469,015 milesCA

CAR MADE LOUD NOISE THEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I HAVE READ ALOT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THESE TRANSMISSION HAVING ISSUES. DEALER NOR MERCEDES BENZ (CORPORATE) IN NJ WOULD EVEN ASSIST TO FIND OUT WHAT OR WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES AND REALLY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE ONE BIT. THEY WERE RUDE AND UNBELIEVABLY IRRESPONSIBLE ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT PUTTING ALL OF THE COST ( $7500.00 ) BILL SQUARE ON THE CUSTOMER. I KNOW THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEMS. ITS THEIR PRODUCT. THEY NEED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. WELL CRAFTED TRANSMISSION REPLACING AT 69,000 MILES MAKES NO SENSE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 22, 201328,865 milesNY

THE EXHAUST ACTUATORS WERE DETERMINED BAD AND REPLACED NOW AT 47,000MILES THEY ARE BAD AGAIN AND NOT WARRANTIED AS THE STATE I RESIDE IN DOES REQUIRE EMISSIONS CONTROL INSPECTION AND MERCEDES IS AWARE THERE IS A DEFECT THIS SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL. I HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER WITH MERCEDES. *TR

20 of 23 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20088100Routine
2007 — this page23200Routine
200618000Routine

Compare every SLK280 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 18, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.