Took my car in, it would not go into reverse, then the engine was winding out really hi on the tachometer, mercedes said it was the valve body module in transmission, ok- then they told me my engine balance shaft was not working and the labor was 5628.00 they have not yet quoted me a price on the parts for either issue. Said the engine will just seize up when driving, I looked this up on internet and there seems to be a class action suit going on with this balance shaft issue.is this a safety issue they overlooked possibly ? Miles as low as 62k having same issue. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The worst 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission4
- Engine3
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission4
- Engine3
- Brakes1
Recalls 1
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor may not be displayed in the instrument cluster; (3) the obd system may cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly; and, (4) the speedometer may be out of tolerance.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
- Remedy
- Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 08V303000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK 8
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Mercedes-benz: there are electrical production quality issues that cause the air bag warning light to...
- Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped...
- Mercedes benz: model 171.454, 456 (2005-2008) slk class; 204.054, 056, 081 (2008) c class; 211.022, 056,...
- Check engine light on / fault codes FC1200 / FC1208 stored in me-sfi control unit
- Harsh engagement when shifting
- Inspect routing of engine fan wiring harness and correct if necessary
- Learning in selection range sensor not possible after ehs replacement
- The rubber boot on the rack and pinion may have been deformed during assembly
What 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
[xxx] 2005 slk 350 I have a manual transmission it is hard to get into first gear from neutral where it slips into reverse. The dealer has not so far been able to duplicate this. I found online that there is a tsb on this. They say unless the can duplicate this they will not proceed with it. I informed the dealer earlier that I had a written note from my friend who was with me once when it happened, they did not care. Tsb tells the dealer if you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of first or reverse gears being difficult to engage from neutral and/or the shifter catching between gears during the upshift, this may be due to insufficient lubrication of the transmission input shaft not allowing the clutch disc to move freely. This is a dangerous situation that happened five times. Mercedes had there regional rep look at the car and he could not duplicate it for the short drive he did. The tech stated the same but then this is the same tech who claimed he fixed two other problems that were still a problem as noted by the regional rep. On the way home from the dealer, sarasota mercedes the car did the same going into reverse at a light from neutral and I just missed an accident backing up when the light changed while the car behind me went forward. I was so upset by this I traded in the car on the way home knowing that the dealer and mercedes had no intention of rectifying this known problem as shown by the tsb. Mercedes and the dealer refused to apply the tsb but they refused and let me drive away with an unsafe vehicle with an accident waiting to happen. This is incompetence on both of their parts. This is the tsb number: p-26-50-02title: manual trans - first or reverse gear difficult to engage. It used to be on the internet but after I wrote to the president/ceo, general manager customer service and the vp of sales and marketing it was removed, that was their response to my problem. *nm updated 07/11/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c
Car continues to roll at stop light after I apply pressure to brake to stop car. Must stop car further away from car in front to prevent possible contact.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 50mph and accelerating the vehicle goes to neutral and looses power. The vehicle must be put into park, turned off and restarted to regain power. There is not a delay from the time it is turned off until start up. The vehicle has stalled a total of three times. The dealership has been alerted and replaced the transmission control module etc on may 16th, the problem returned on may 27, 2006. The dealership has been unable to successfully correct the problem. The contact has been in touch with a service advisor who explained they need to speak with someone regarding the issue before they inspect the vehicle again. The vehicle has not been inspected by the sales dealer because of the distance to the repair shop. The sales dealer instructed the contact to take the vehicle to another service dealer near the contact's residence. The manufacturer has not been alerted. The vehicle is a clk320.
Dt: the contact stated the car was burning an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle used two quarts of oil at only 5, 500 miles. The dealership test drove the vehicle and found that the valves were not seated. Also, at times while pressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle will not move it will only rev the engine. The dealership was contacted, they told her the next time this occurred to shut the engine by putting the car in park and turning the key to the off position. There have been no repairs made to the transmission because the dealership did not have enough information to make any corrections. *ak updated 2/24/2006 - the vehicle was towed tot he dealer on 1/26/2006 and told that there was a problem with the transmission. The vehicle was left at the dealer for the repairs to be made. The vehicle was returned to the consumer. On 1/26/2006 the vehicle again suddenly stopped moving forward while the consumer was traveling 55 MPH. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The vehicle was at the dealer for 6 days at which time they were unable to duplicate the problem.
Excessive oil consumption 7 - 8 quarts in 6800 miles .
Compare the 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK
Other model years
Questions about the 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK
Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK, fewer than a typical SLK model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints. Next is engine (3).
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK have?
1 recall, covering electrical system.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2005 Mercedes Benz SLK?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history