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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2006–2008

Mercedes-Benz SLK280 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 49 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz SLK280, covering model years 2006 to 2008. The 2007 model year drew the most complaints (23), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mercedes-Benz SLK280 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 2 recall campaigns on file
  • 49 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 3 model years with data (2006–2008)
  • most complaints: 2007 (23 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (27 complaints)
  • latest recall 22V168000 (reported Mar 18, 2022)
  • 1 complaint reporting a crash (2.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (2.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mercedes-Benz SLK280 complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2007 model year has the most complaints: 23 of 49, or 46.9%. Next come 2006 (18) and 2008 (8).

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercedes-Benz SLK280 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2006–2008Column chart of 49 complaints across 3 model years. The highest is 2007 with 23. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2006: 18 complaints1820062007: 23 complaints2320072008: 8 complaints82008
Mercedes-Benz SLK280 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercedes-Benz SLK280 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2006180000
2007230000
200881010
All model years491010

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mercedes-Benz SLK280 components

top 14 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 27 complaints (55.1% of all 49), followed by Electrical System (6) and Power Train (4).

Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz SLK280 complaints (top 14)
Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz SLK280 complaints (top 14)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags2755.1%
Electrical System612.2%
Power Train48.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling36.1%
Exterior Lighting36.1%
Seat Belts36.1%
Structure36.1%
Fuel/Propulsion System24.1%
Tires24.1%
Unknown or Other24.1%
Vehicle Speed Control24.1%
Engine12.0%
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility12.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline12.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mercedes-Benz SLK280 recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name SLK280, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2007 to 2008. The 2007 model year appears in the most campaigns (2).

  • 2 recall campaigns
Mercedes-Benz SLK280 recall campaigns covering each model year
2007: 2 campaigns2008: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 22V168000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Engine Control Module (ECU/ECM) › Software; Electronic Stability Control (ESC) › Control Module › Software; Exterior Lighting › Lighting Control Module › Software

    Model year 2007

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 16V081000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 2007–2008

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mercedes-Benz SLK280 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz SLK280 have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mercedes-Benz SLK280, covering model years 2006 to 2008. The most recent, 22V168000, was reported on March 18, 2022 and is filed under “Engine and engine cooling”. The 2007 model year is covered by the most campaigns (2).

Which Mercedes-Benz SLK280 model year has the most complaints?

The 2007 model year, with 23 of the 49 complaints in NHTSA’s file (46.9%). The next are 2006 (18) and 2008 (8). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mercedes-Benz SLK280 complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 27 complaints, or 55.1% of all 49. Electrical System (6) and Power Train (4) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mercedes-Benz SLK280?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

How many Mercedes-Benz SLK280 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 49 complaints, 1 report a crash, 0 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mercedes-Benz models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder with every Mercedes-Benz model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mercedes-Benz models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.