Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2008 Mercedes Benz SLK280 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2017.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz SLK280. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2008 compares with every other Mercedes Benz SLK280
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Mercedes Benz SLK280
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
440.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 56,000 mi
Electrical System
220.0%
Median failure at 10,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
110.0%
Tires
110.0%
Median failure at 25,000 miles
Body & Structure
110.0%
Median failure at 29,120 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
110.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
125.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
250.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
125.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2010peak 3Nov 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Mercedes Benz SLK280
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
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.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 56,000 milesSEA Brook, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA complaint #10562409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Albany, OR
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL NOTIFIED OVER A YEAR AGO OF RECALL. WE HAVE CALLED 4 TIMES TO DEALER SINCE WE RECEIVED NOTICE AND THEY STILL CANNOT TELL US ANYTHING. NOW I SEE THEY HAVE FILED BANKRUPCY. I HAVE A CAR THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING AND CANNOT PUT ANYONE IN THE OTHER SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11043915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, GA
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" - MY 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 HAS NOT HAD THE AIRBAG REPLACED AS OF OCT. 26, 2016. MY VEHICLE HAS AN AIRBAG WITH A TAKATA MADE INFLATOR, ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #10919046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL#16V-081 TRYING TO GET HELP FROM DEALERSHIP HAVING DIFFICULTIES. I'M UNCERTAIN IF I HAVE OTHER UNKNOWN ISSUES AS CHECKED MARKED. THIS IS THE 2ND RECALL. I AM HAVING A SAFETY CONCERN ON THIS VEHICLE I PURCHASED AND MANAGEMENT IS NOT COOPERATING/ ASSISTING UPSET OVER A PREVIOUS DEFECTIVE BATTERY. I AM UNCERTAIN IF THE SAME ISSUE IS RECURRING AND OR EFFECTING THE DOOR LOCKS, DOME LIGHTS, ELECTRONICS, LIGHTS, VEHICLE WILL NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #10881280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL#16V-081 TRYING TO GET HELP FROM DEALERSHIP HAVING DIFFICULTIES. I'M UNCERTAIN IF I HAVE OTHER UNKNOWN ISSUES AS CHECKED MARKED. THIS IS THE 2ND RECALL. I AM HAVING A SAFETY CONCERN ON THIS VEHICLE I PURCHASED AND MANAGEMENT IS NOT COOPERATING/ ASSISTING UPSET OVER A PREVIOUS DEFECTIVE BATTERY. I AM UNCERTAIN IF THE SAME ISSUE IS RECURRING AND OR EFFECTING THE DOOR LOCKS, DOME LIGHTS, ELECTRONICS, LIGHTS, VEHICLE WILL NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #10881280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL#16V-081 TRYING TO GET HELP FROM DEALERSHIP HAVING DIFFICULTIES. I'M UNCERTAIN IF I HAVE OTHER UNKNOWN ISSUES AS CHECKED MARKED. THIS IS THE 2ND RECALL. I AM HAVING A SAFETY CONCERN ON THIS VEHICLE I PURCHASED AND MANAGEMENT IS NOT COOPERATING/ ASSISTING UPSET OVER A PREVIOUS DEFECTIVE BATTERY. I AM UNCERTAIN IF THE SAME ISSUE IS RECURRING AND OR EFFECTING THE DOOR LOCKS, DOME LIGHTS, ELECTRONICS, LIGHTS, VEHICLE WILL NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #10881280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,120 milesTOA Baja, PR
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CONVERTIBLE HARD TOP HYDRAULIC SYSTEM START TO LEAK OIL TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT. THE HARD TOP DOES NOT MOVE AND DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. I HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM SEVERAL OWNERS THAT IT IS A CURRENT PROBLEM OF ALL VEHICLES OF MODELS. THIS IS AN UNSAFELY PROBLEM, SINCE THE HARD TOP, REAR GLASS AND TRUNK HAS PROBLEM TO BE LOCKED COMPLETELY. APPARENTLY THE MERCEDES BENZ MANUFACTURER KNOW THAT THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS SEALS FAIL, ONCE THE MINERAL OIL LOSE ITS PROPERTY. THIS MEAN THAT HYDRAULIC SYSTEM GET NOT PROTECTED AFTER SUCH OIL IS INAPPROPRIATE TO PROTECT THE SEAL, RESULTING ON LEAKING AND CAR FINISH WITHOUT PROTECTION,. IF IT HAPPEN WHEN IT IS SNOWING OR RAINING OR FAR AWAY, IT WILL BECOME IN A POTENTIAL SAFETY HARMFUL PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. I REQUESTED A SERVICE TO MERCEDES BENZ AND THE ANSWER VWAS THE REPAIR WILL BE ALMOST $ 5000.00 MERCEDS BENZ SHOULD REPAIR ALL THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FOR HARD TOP UNDER A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10651290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesSEA Brook, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA complaint #10562409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesStroudsburg, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HARD CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN WHEN ACTIVATED BY THE CONTROL DEVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED O THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10536746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marina DEL REY, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OWNED A BRAND NEW 2007 MERCEDES SLK 280 AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUSHING AND PULLING TO THE POINT THAT IT WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED; AND ULTIMATELY, IT WAS A 'BUY-BACK.' AFTERWARDS, I HAD ANOTHER NEW MERCEDES 280, NOW A 2008, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THAT ONE TOO. BIG MISTAKE ON MY PART; WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT ANOTHER NEW ONE WOULD GO BAD? THE MERCEDES 7 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WAS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE EXPERIENCE FOR ME. SINCE 2008, EVERY TIME I SEE A MERCEDES SLK, I SOMETIMES ATTEMPT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND ASK THE DRIVER OF THE CAR: "HEY, HOW'S THE TRANSMISSION?"
NHTSA complaint #10413765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesCharlotte, NC
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES, TIRE SIZE 225/4.5/17. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES EXHIBITED UNEVEN TREAD WEAR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE DEALER ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VEHICLE REQUIRED AN ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT DESIGNED TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO ADDITIONAL REPAIR OR TIRE REPLACEMENT AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THE INCORRECT TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE BY THE TIRE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. DOT NUMBER WAS 7GH8L4T2108.
NHTSA complaint #10340563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.