Mercedes-Benz · SLK-Class · 2005
0
Recalls
27
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class has no recalls and 27 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (5 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 5 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually came to a rolling stop on the side of the r...
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As i was driving (on a bridge) the convertible top/roof gushed and dumped an incredible amount of hydraulic fluid/oil right in my face unexpectedly! This came out of the blue. I had just raised it since it began to rain. The combination of raining weather and being on a one lane ...
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My vehicle has excessive rust issues that I’m being told by the dealership will compromise my safety. There is currently an extension of warranty for only the subframe in rear, but the rust is extended beyond that and is applied to the components needed to be removed in order to ...
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The brake lines are rusted from the rear sub Frame that was rusted And caused an accident. They told me the sub frame was the only item covered but that they could only bolt it and not weld if and then the exhaust and brake lines (rusted too bad to describe) weren’t covered and s...
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the conductor plate along with its speed sensor is faulty. Luckily I just exit the highway, the transmission just stopped working, can't drive forward or reverse and when I apply gas on either D or R, just the RPM speed up as if the car is in neutral. I was stranded on the mid...
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transmission lines popping off popped off at 60 miles per hour tensed me up it stared smoking pushed the safety hazzard lights on and was able to limp it off the highway its happened 3 times after i repaired them afraid to even drive it now.no no no
improper heat treatment of the balance shaft spocket causing the balance shaft to worn out resulting in advance timing of the CAM. Mercedes acknowledges it's an known issue but don't cover cost of fixing it. Once ecu detected timing is off, it will stop the transmission from ac...
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The rear subframe is corroded to the point of about to fall off and subsequently anything that is attached. Mercedes has extended a warranty on the subframe which is excellent, but only the subFrame? What about the touching bits like the bolts and screws among other items that ar...
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A few days after a scheduled service visit at a local Mercedes-Benz (MB) dealer I noticed a creaking sound coming from the rear of my 2005 SLK350 that continued to get louder as time went by. I scheduled another appointment for post-inspection and I received the unfortunate news ...
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REAR SUBFRAME RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. DUE TO POOR DESIGN, THERE IS AN ARCH THAT HOLDS WATER IN AND THE WATER CAN'T GET OUT CAUSING IT RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. SEARCHING MERCEDES ONLINE FORUMS, THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM LOTS OF PEOPLE PROBLEM AND MERCEDES DENIES THIS ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 27 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2005 Mercedes-Benz models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 27 owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class are power train (5 reports), engine and engine cooling,power train (2 reports), suspension,unknown or other,service brakes (2 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.