2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK, and owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Brake lights (exterior lighting)
On certain passenger vehicles, failure of one of the side brake lights can occur. The base of the socket can be subject to thermal deformation over time.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear lamp modules. The recall began on september 12, 2006, to approximately 8,200 owners. Phase ii mailing is schedule on or about november 3, 2006, and phase iii mailing is schedule for…
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Headlights (exterior lighting)
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the owner's manual does not contain the proper headlamp aiming instructions.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with headlamp aiming instructions, and directions for affixing these inserts to the operator's manual. Owner notification began july 15, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free instructions…
19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Reports cite 4 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 66,685 miles. Complaints peaked in 2010 with 6 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“While driving under 30 MPH, vehicle randomly applies front or rear brake causing a loud braking squeal and causing the car to buck or pitch to one side. It has occurred from a stopped position as i st”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 1, 2013 · Electronic stability control (esc)
“Rear brake lamps failed over and over since vehicle purchased in 2001. Dealer replaced bulbs numerous times and last replaced l & r bulbs on 12/29/2006 at 29005 miles. In april 2007 a safety recall wa”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 9, 2012 · Exterior lighting
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (SLK230 Kompressor, SLK320). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–23 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–20 / 25–27 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.3/3.2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd; Manual 6-spd |
Compare Mercedes-Benz SLK model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz SLK model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK
How do I know if my 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 02V152000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
- C3003,469 complaints
- E3502,170 complaints
- E3201,164 complaints
- ML350952 complaints
- GLK350904 complaints
- ML320742 complaints
- C250726 complaints
- C230657 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.