Model year record

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 recalls & problems

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 has 2 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (3 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints8filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

CommunicationNov 1, 2019

Communication

Recall 19V78700024,226 vehicles

Problem: 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 systemJun 4, 2013

Software

Recall 13V23600071 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Components: Electrical system › Software; Air bags

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

SLK250

26mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,150/year to fuel

SLK250

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
StructureBody; Body › Roof and pillars	3	36,500 mi
Engine	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline	1	—
Vehicle speed control	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	—
Air bags	1	—
Unknown or other	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
The anti whip lash prevention malfunctioned and the headrest was launched forwards
Jun 16, 2026
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. 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…
May 2, 2026
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
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…
Jun 11, 2022 · 74,000 miles
Structure › Body
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…
Jul 26, 2020 · 36,500 miles
Engine
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.
Sep 6, 2018 · 57,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
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.
Apr 15, 2013 · 5,500 miles
Structure › Body
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…
Dec 15, 2013 · 21,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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
Jun 27, 2013 · 100 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
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 rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021