Model year record

2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 recalls & problems

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 has 4 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (2 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints2filed 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.

SuspensionMay 16, 2016

Rear

Recall 16V306000327 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A change of the rear wheel alignment and independent steering of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemApr 13, 2016

Wiring

Recall 16V211000223 vehicles

Problem: 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, the transmission cannot be shifted to "Park" nor can the electric parking brake be applied.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Engine and engine coolingOct 16, 2015

Engine

Recall 15V662000857 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: Engine damage may result in a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

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

SLK300

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/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	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Unknown or other	2	0	0	0	—
StructureBody	1	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
SUNROOF PANEL DETACH AND LET GLASS PANEL LOOSE ON ROADWAY. I FELL THAT MY MODEL SHOULD ALSO BE PART OF THIS CLASSIFIED AS 22V-954. HOWEVER, SINCE IT WAS NOT ON THE LIST SO THERE FORE THEY REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE IT AS BEING ONE OF THERE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN OVER SIGHT WITH THEM. I REPORTED IT TO THEM AROUND JULY 31 2025 TO THE MERCEDES CARE PEOPLE. THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY CAR DID NOT HAVE A WARRANTY OR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THAT THE CAR WAS OVER NINE YEARS OLD PLUS WITH THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR THAT THIS WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM. MY INSURANCE AGENT TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A MECHAICAL FAILURE AND THATA THEY WOULD NOT BE COVER UNDER MY POLICY. HOWEVER AFTER READING THIS ARTICLE THEY KNEW…
Jul 23, 2025
Unknown or other
VAPOR CANISTER FELL OF UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE. PART NUMBER 171-470-00-59 AT HIGH SPEED THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE CATASTROPHIC AS THE PART IS LARGER THAN THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE PUNCTURED GAS TANK IF TANK IS IN REAR CLOSE TO PART. FORTUNATELY I WAS BACKING OUT OF GARAGE AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND LOOK. THE IMAGE OF IT UNDER CAR IS WITH CAR ON AN 8 INCH BLOCK OF WOOD
Dec 22, 2020 · 25,000 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