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 started to accelerate, but 90% of the time it occurs at speeds under 30-35 MPH while just driving in a simple or long curve. It has also happened in parking lots when applying the brakes by locking up one or more brakes so hard as to make very loud squealing sounds. This is very scary and completely unsafe.
The worst 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Visibility6
- Electrical3
- Acceleration2
- Driver assistance2
- Engine2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Visibility6
- Electrical3
- Acceleration2
- Driver assistance2
- Engine2
- Fuel system2
- Lights2
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls 2
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This deformation can cause movement in the socket-to-bulb connection, which could lead to a loosening of the electrical contacts in the socket, and failure of the bulb to illuminate.
- 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 january 2007 for the remaining owners. Owners of vehicles with the updated trim (post-face lift) will get an interim notice during november 2006, asking them to schedule an appointment for rear tail lamp replacement later in 2007. However, if they experience an actual rear lamp failure before they receive that notice, they should come to their dealer immediately for a free repair. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 05V505000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
- 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 within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑201‑573‑0117.
Recall number 02V152000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK
Defect investigations
Transmission malfunction
The petitioner alleges that coffee from a cup, placed in the cup holder, spilled onto the gear shifter and shut down the vehicle?s entire electrical system. The concern raised by the petitioner was investigated (sq01-010) and was closed after odi concluded that the facts did not demonstrate a safety-related defect.odi has subsequently received nine more complaints alleging fluid contamination of the transmission shifter since the investigation was closed, none of which report crashes or injuries.these nine complainants mainly expressed dissatisfaction with the design of the cup holder and the cost of replacing the contaminated electronic selector module.similarly, in petitioner?s case she was able to operate the vehicle to a place where it could be safety stopped after the liquid spillage.the petitioner has not provided any evidence of a safety-related defect.in view of the foregoing and the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.
DP05007
Brake lamp failure
In its letter dated october 28, 2005, mercedes-benz USA stated that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy defective brake lamp assemblies in model year 1998 through 2004 mercedes benz slk vehicles.the base of the brake lamp socket can be subject to thermal deformation over time.this deformation can cause movement in the socket-to-bulb connection, which may lead to a loosening of the electrical contacts in the socket, and failure of the bulb to illuminate.all rear lamp modules (which contain brake, turn signal, tail and backup lamps) will be replaced with redesigned rear lamp modules with a more heat resistant material and enhanced socket holder design to withstand the heat inside the rear lamp module.see the federal safety agency recall no. 05v505 for more information.
PE05051
Sudden engine shut down
SQ01010
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK 3
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 was issued for rear brake lamps failure. Rear lamps failed once again at 39697 miles and vehicle was brought in to beverly hills mb to have recall performed on may 30, 2008. Rear brake lamps have failed once again as of 6/1/ 2012 with 78000 miles on vehicle in spite of the recall. Inspections by an independent mercedes repair facility as well as simonson mercedes, santa monica reveal that the lamp sockets are failing due to electrical arcing and beginning to melt resulting in failure of the rear brake lamps to function. I am concerned that this is a serious safety issue which may result in a rear collision. I am hoping that yet another safety recall campaign can be initiated as it seems that the first recall was not entirely effective. Thank you.
The esp light comes on, the car pulls to right and the speed pedal does not work. It happens while accelerating and almost had an accident due to lack of power to cross a major intersection. The esp light comes on and automatically disables the speed/gas pedal.
The automatically dimming interior rear view mirror has leaked part of liquid crystal fluid, severely distorting the reflected image. In addition, since the mirror does not have ant manual adjustment for day/night selection, any bright lights from behind tend to blind or at least interfere with the proper vision. This defect should be considered a safety issue.the manufacturer's quote to correct this defect is in excess of $300 for parts and labor. The same defect has been reported widely in various user groups and forums. In the past the mirror's manufacturer, magna donnelly corporation of holland, mi did provide free replacements under an extended warranty, but since early 2008 has discontinued to honor this practice without explanation. As this is a quality issue with potentially serious safety consequences, I request the manufacturer of the vehicle, mercedes benz, to recall the affected vehicles and replace the defective mirrors. According to many owners, the auto dimming exterior mirrors also frequently suffer the same failures.
I have a 2001 slk320. There is a problem with the gas pedal assembly, specifically the throttle position sensor. The car does not accelerate for 5-6 seconds then surges. Lots of cars have this issue. Mb should issue a recall.
Inside rear view mirror leaked and now does not dim and is very cloudy and hard to see out of when driving.
Mercedes benz slk320 just dies out while driving. No warning lights or anything before the motor stops and the car loses power. Happens sporadically. Mercedes benz cannot detect the direct problem even after diagnosis. Continues to blame it on something else, then fixes it, but it continues to occur.
The engine died while I was driving in traffic. I managed to coast to a corner and get off the main street. After repeated attempts, the engine restarted and ran normally, only to die in traffic again about 5 minutes later.
Car hesitates sometimes when taking off and accelerating if I don't release clutch properly. It's as if the computer takes over and prevents car from accelerating. I've stalled cars; this is different. The stall is not related to the shifting but to the acceleration. It's like the computer software takes over and stops the acceleration. Such is not need and actually makes less safe the condition. If I release the clutch a bit out-of-time I don't want my acceleration being changed. This has happened nine or more times. I am indicating a date below because it is required. It has not happened taking off onto a highway, but such is a concern. I don't like my control over the accelerator being manipulated by software or some computer program. I'm 54 years old and have driven automatics and manual transmissions for hundreds of thousands and maybe a million or more miles. Until this car, if I slipped a bit on the clutch my acceleration had never before in other cars been affected other than by my own foot to accelerator pedal. With this 2001 slk 320, I can depress the pedal and it doesn't speed up, but bogs down. A mechanic told me it's the mercedes safety feature in the computer software. I find it a safety hazard, as it prevents my control of the car's acceleration and cause me concern as I am driving. I just wanted to report this, as the new stories blast toyota I realized I'd check on recalls on the 2001 slk 320 mb, but I found none related to this issue. Thank you.
The trunk lid on the mercedes benz model slk320, all model years, falls down on its own onto the unsuspecting head of the individual loading or unloading the trunk. This has happened to me and other owners of this model. We all have shared this painful experience. It has happened to me 4 times in recent times. The struts, resembling shock absorbers simply do not hold up the lid tightly enough. Has been happening consistently; the lid fails all the time; consequences are a cut head, slight concussion and headaches; no parts were replaced, it seems to be a design flaw.
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Questions about the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK
Is the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK reliable?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK, 2.1 times a typical SLK model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 6 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles. Next is electrical (3).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK have?
2 recalls, covering exterior lighting.
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