Mercedes-Benz · SLK-Class · 2006
0
Recalls
34
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class has no recalls and 34 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (6 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
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.
Headlight wires (Inside Housing) are frayed / melted. Can cause fire. I was replacing my bulb when I noticed the wires in the plug were completely stripped with no shielding. I traced it back to the connector and the wire shields were either frayed or completely gone
I was traveling on I20 going about 60mph. Car suddenly started fish tailing and thought I had a flat tire. Pulled over, no flats but back driver's side wheel was crooked. Had car towed to service center. Back frame is extremely rusted. My whole wheel could have come off which would have been extremely serious. My car only has 46000 miles and garage kept. No warning signs. I don't drive in wintry conditions. My car has only been inspected by the service mechanic and myself.
Trunk failure. The trunk, when open, may suddenly fall very fast at any time. When you open the trunk it stays open but without warning may suddenly drop hitting you in the head. The trunk is actually quit heavy and can cause serious trauma to a person or damage to the vehicle as it slams down with force.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, THE HEADLAMPS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE HEADLAMPS MELTED AND LEFT THE WIRES EXPOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
THE REAR MARKER LIGHTS ARE GOING ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, NOW THEY ARE OFF FOR GOOD. THE WIRES TO THE LIGHTS LOOK FINE, THE BULBS LOOK FINE. I HAVE EVEN REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THEY STILL DONT WORK ON ONE SIDE. EARLIER MODELS ARE HAVING SAME ISSUE AS THIS MODEL. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE MARKER LIGHT BULB REPLACED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY HARNESS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT COULD SHORT OUT AND START AN ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT JACKIE COOPER IMPORTS (9393 S MEMORIAL DRIVE, TULSA, OKLAHOMA 74133) APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE LIGHT MARKER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Electrical system faulty. Front lowbeam headlight warning light on. Mechanic changed headlight bulb but it still did not work. After about a week the warning indicator went off and headlight worked. A few days went by and the indicator came on again. The low beam did not work. This time the left side marker lamp indicator came on and the bulb wasn't working. Before I could take it in for repair the side marker was working again. It goes off and on about every other month. Also, the indicator for one of the bulbs above my license plate goes on and off, but it says bulb malfunction. Now joining is the passenger side ABS light. Sometimes when I start the car the warning indicator on the instrument panel is illuminated but then goes off after I start the car several times, about a day or two. I never know which electrical component may not be working when I turn on the ignition switch. Sometimes no warning indicators will be displayed. The side marker lamp indicator hasn't been on in months, but 3 days ago it came on again and both low beam lamp indicators are on as well. So, right now I'm driving with my high beams on. I'm just waiting for them to work again, you never know. It's so frustrating and dangerous. I have read that this is a common issue. It needs to be looked in to.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LACK OF ENGINE POWER AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE MANUALLY RESTARTED TO BE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,038.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE POWER CAN BE LOST & VEHICLE CAN BE STUCK IN 1ST GEAR OR NO GEAR AT ALL CAUSING BLOCKAGE TO TRAFFIC AND POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ONCE YOU TURN CAR OFF IT APPEARS THE CAR RESETS ITSELF AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPEN. WHEN REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP IT WAS STATED NO CODES POP UP SO I MUST BE HITTING THE SHIFT. NOT KNOWING ANY BETTER & NOT BEING A MECHANIC, WHO AM I TO CONTINUE TO QUESTION THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP? NO CODE NO ACTION. (1ST REPORTED WITH 8446 MILEAGE NEVER SHOWED A CODE). AT 63,000 MILES THE ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY COMES ON INDICATING A PROBLEM. 63038 FOUND CODE IN SYSTEM FOR SPEED SENSOR NOT READING CORRECTLY. TEST DROVE CAR & STUCK IN LIMP HOME. THE ODD THING IS THE CODE KICKED IN AT 61400 MILES & THE LIGHT CAME ON 2000 MILES LATER. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR UNDER THE WARRANTY I PURCHASED DUE THE "DATA FREEZE' SHOWING PROBLEM EXISTED PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THAT WARRANTY BUT I WAS UNAWARE OF THAT SINCE THE ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON AT 61400. AT ANY RATE IT APPEARS TO BE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THESE VALUE BODIES WITH LOW MILEAGE. PEOPLE BUY MERCEDES THINKING IT WILL BE A WHILE BEFORE THE START HAVING THESE PROBLEMS YET COMPLAINTS ON THIS VALUE BODY IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. ... FOUND BELOW ON INTERNT. I PAID $1800 FOR THIS REPAIR. OCT 29, 2012 - PLAINTIFFS BROUGHT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ ON BEHALF ... AN ENTIRE VALVE BODY REPLACED THAT ONLY THE MERCEDES DEALER CAN REPAIR. .... 61,000 MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY, AND JUST NOW THEY SAID, THEY WILL NOT COVER AND NOW THE MB 722.9 VALVE BODY - COBRA TRANSMISSION ... COBRATRANSMISSION.BLOGSPOT.COM/.../AND-NOW-MB-7229-VALVE-BODY.HTML O DEC 2, 2010 - THIS BLOG COVERS AUTOMATIC AND STANDARD TRANSMISSION PARTS AS WELL AS TRANSFER CASE PARTS. VALVE ... THE VALVE BODY IS ONE OF THE LARGER ONES WE HAVE SEEN AROUND HERE. BIGGER .
ON OCTOBER 19TH 2015 , PURCHASED THIS CAR FORM MERCEDES BENZ OF WALNUT CREEK CALIFORNIA . THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME ON 27TH OCTOBER 2015 BY THE DEALERSHIP STATING THAT THE CAR IS CHECKED ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY STANDARDS AND IS GOOD TO DRIVE. BUT AS SOON AS I REACHED HOME WITH THE CAR THERE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . MY HOUSE IS 140MILES FROM THE DEALER SHIP . I CALLED THEM THE VERY NEXT DAY , THEY CALLED ME IN THE NEXT WEEK , KEPT THE CAR FOR 4 DAYS . AGAIN WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FROM THEM THEY SAY EVERYTHING WORKS FINE . A WEEK AFTER THAT AGAIN I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . I TRY CALLING THEM THEY JUST GIVE ME A RUNAROUND , EVEN THE FRONT WIND SCREEN OF THE CAR IS CHIPPED MAJORLY . I STILL CAN'T FIGURE HOW DID MY CAR PASS THE CALIFORNIA INSPECTION FOR USED CAR . I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME . THIS IS MY FIRST CAR . THANK YOU WOULD APPRECIATE . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODORS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,905.
WHILE DRIVING ON A 50 MPH EXPRESSWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO A LOW GEAR, REV'ING VERY HIGH. I HAD TO DECELERATE QUICKLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO SPEED UP TO KEEP UP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE DEALER SAID A CONDUCTOR PLATE HAD TO BE REPLACED. BUT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM THE FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
SRS LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. DEALER SAYS DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED. REPAIR WOULD COST $700.00. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS MODEL CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPAIR BY DEALER AT MERCEDES BENZ COST, AS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS MODEL AND LIKELY A DEFECT.
DRIVING ON FREEWAY... ALL OF SUDDEN CAR GOES IN LOW GEAR NO WARNING HAS DONE THIS ABOUT 4 TIMES. TWICE ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK TO SHOP WAS TOLD IT WAS VALVE BODY/ CONDUCTOR PLATE ISSUE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE FIXED AT DEALER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART MB USED ON THIS TRANSMISSION. CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. VALVE BODY / CONDUCTOR PLATE REPLACEMENT
3 ISSUES--CAMSHAFT SELENOID; DEFECTIVE GEAR IN THE BALANCE SHAFTS OF THE ENGINE; TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY DEFECT. ALL THREE OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED BY MERCEDES INTERNAL DOCUMENTS AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON GOING FOR THE DEFECTIVE GEAR IN THE BALANCE SHAFTS OF THE ENGINE RIGHT NOW. THESE ARE CRITICAL ISSUES AS THE CAR CAN LOSE POWER. WITH REGARD TO THE BALANCE SHAFT ISSUES, METAL FROM THE SHAFT DETERIORATES AND THAT INFILTRATES THE OTHER ENGINE PARTS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO PREMATURELY FAIL. ALMOST ALL OF THE REPORTS ON THIS ISSUE ARE FOR SLK350'S WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
HAD THE CAR IN PERSONAL GARAGE WENT TO JACK VEHICLE UP WITH THE MERCEDES BENZ JACK AND THE PLASTIC OR RUBBER CONNECTOR TO THE VEHICLE OF THE JACK CAME OFF CAUSING UNDER VEHICLE DAMAGE AND ENDANGERING MY PERSONAL SAFETY. *TR
WAS TOLD BY THE COMPUTER "RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION VISIT WORKSHOP." VISITED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY IT WOULD COST A LITTLE OVER $900 TO REPAIR FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
BURNING SMELL WHEN AC TURNED ON. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 34 owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class are power train (6 reports), structure (4 reports), air bags (3 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2006 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.