Mercedes-Benz
SLK-Class
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class: official NHTSA recalls, fault code help and maintenance guides.
Licensed photo · Photo creditMakeMercedes-Benz
ClassTwo-seater
Model years (US)2000–2016
New registrations (EU)2000–2017, 2019–2020
Recall dataNHTSA (United States)
Generations and technical specifications
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R172)2011–2020
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | 2011–2020 |
| Body styles | 2-door retractable hardtop |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Engines | petrol 1.6 L M270 turbo I4 1.8 L M271 turbo I4 2.0 L M274 turbo I4 3.0 L M276 twin-turbo V6 3.5 L M276 V6 5.5 L M152 V8 diesel 2.1 L OM651 turbo I4 |
| Transmissions | 6-speed manual 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic (SLC, Facelift) |
| Wheelbase | 2,484 mm |
| Length | 4,135 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm |
| Height | 1,300 mm |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Assembly | Germany: Bremen (Mercedes-Benz Bremen plant) |
| Designer | Il-hun Yoon (2007, 2008) |
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R171)2004–2011
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | 2004 – 2011 |
| Body styles | 2-door retractable hardtop |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engines | Petrol 1.8 L M271 supercharged I4 3.0–3.5 L M272 V6 5.4 L M113 V8 |
| Transmissions | 6-speed manual 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,430 mm |
| Length | 4,087–4,089 mm |
| Width | 1,777–1,794 mm |
| Height | 1,271–1,298 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,390–1,540 kg |
| Class | Sports car |
| Assembly | Germany: Bremen |
| Designer | Gorden Wagener (2000) |
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170)1996–2004
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | July 1996 – April 2004 |
| Body styles | 2-door roadster |
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Engines | Petrol 2.0 L M111.946 I4 2.0 – 2.3 L M111 supercharged I4 3.2 L M112 V6 3.2 L M112 supercharged V6 |
| Transmissions | 5-speed manual (Getrag) 6-speed manual (Getrag) 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm |
| Length | 3,995–4,010 mm |
| Width | 1,715 mm |
| Height | 1,269–1,284 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,270–1,495 kg |
| Class | Sports car |
| Assembly | Germany: Bremen South Africa: East London |
| Designer | Bruno Sacco (1991) Michael Mauer (1993) Murat Günak (1993) |
Engines and transmissions
| Model years | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2.0 L, 4 cyl | 9-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2005–2016 | 3.5 L, 6 cyl | 7-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2010, 2012–2016 | 5.5 L, 8 cyl | 7-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2012–2015 | 1.8 L, 4 cyl | 6-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2012–2015 | 1.8 L, 4 cyl | 7-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2006–2011 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl | 6-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2006–2009, 2011 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl | 7-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2005–2011 | 3.5 L, 6 cyl | 6-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2005–2009 | 5.4 L, 8 cyl | 7-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2000–2004 | 2.3 L, 4 cyl | 5-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2001–2004 | 2.3 L, 4 cyl | 6-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2001–2004 | 3.2 L, 6 cyl | 5-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| +2 more configurations |
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Model years | Configuration | Combined | City | Highway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2.0 L, 4 cyl · 9-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 8.7 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km | 7.4 L/100 km |
| 2005–2016 | 3.5 L, 6 cyl · 7-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 9.8–12.4 L/100 km | 11.2–13.8 L/100 km | 8.1–10.7 L/100 km |
| 2010, 2012–2016 | 5.5 L, 8 cyl · 7-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 10.7–13.8 L/100 km | 12.4–16.8 L/100 km | 8.4–10.7 L/100 km |
| 2012–2015 | 1.8 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive | 9.0 L/100 km | 10.7 L/100 km | 7.4 L/100 km |
| 2012–2015 | 1.8 L, 4 cyl · 7-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 9.0 L/100 km | 10.2 L/100 km | 7.4 L/100 km |
| 2006–2011 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl · 6-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive | 11.2–11.8 L/100 km | 13.1–13.8 L/100 km | 9.0–9.4 L/100 km |
| 2006–2009, 2011 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl · 7-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 11.2–11.8 L/100 km | 12.4–13.1 L/100 km | 9.0–9.8 L/100 km |
| 2005–2011 | 3.5 L, 6 cyl · 6-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive | 11.2–12.4 L/100 km | 13.1–14.7 L/100 km | 9.0–10.2 L/100 km |
| 2005–2009 | 5.4 L, 8 cyl · 7-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 13.8–14.7 L/100 km | 16.8 L/100 km | 10.7–11.8 L/100 km |
| 2000–2004 | 2.3 L, 4 cyl · 5-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 10.2–10.7 L/100 km | 11.8–12.4 L/100 km | 8.7–9.0 L/100 km |
| 2001–2004 | 2.3 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive | 11.2–11.8 L/100 km | 12.4–13.8 L/100 km | 8.7–9.4 L/100 km |
| 2001–2004 | 3.2 L, 6 cyl · 5-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 11.2–13.8 L/100 km | 13.1–15.7 L/100 km | 9.4–11.2 L/100 km |
| +2 more configurations |
Values are the official EPA label figures for each model year, shown as the lowest and highest value for the configuration. Electric models show energy use per 100 km. Real-world consumption depends on driving style, weather and load. Luggage and passenger volumes follow the EPA measuring method and can differ from the VDA figures used in Europe.
EU type-approval data
| Years | Powertrain | Engine | Power | Mass | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2016 | Petrol | 1991 cm³ | 135 kW (184 PS) | 1455–1480 kg | 137–150 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2011–2016 | Petrol | 3498 cm³ | 225 kW (306 PS) | 1540 kg | 167 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2012–2016 | Petrol | 5461 cm³ | 310 kW (421 PS) | 1610 kg | 195 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2011–2016 | Diesel | 2143 cm³ | 150 kW (204 PS) | 1590–1605 kg | 117–132 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2011–2015 | Petrol | 1796 cm³ | 135 kW (184 PS) | 1435–1470 kg | 147–158 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2011–2015 | Petrol | 1796 cm³ | 150 kW (204 PS) | 1500 kg | 153 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2010–2011 | Petrol | 2996 cm³ | – | 1475 kg | 207–220 g/km (NEDC) |
Years are registration years. Each range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile of the values reported for new registrations; it is not an average. Mass is the mass in running order. For electric cars the power is the type-approval net power, which can be lower than the peak power in brochures.
Key specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| EPA size class | Two-seater |
| Model years in EPA data | 2000–2016 |
| Powertrains | Petrol |
| Engine displacement | 1.8–5.5 L |
| Cylinders | 4, 6, 8 |
| Transmission types | Automatic, Manual |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Fuel | Petrol (premium) |
| Configurations listed | 72 |
| Forced induction | Turbo- and supercharged (on some versions) |
| Start-stop system | On some versions |
| Luggage volume (EPA) | 198–283 L |
| Passenger volume (EPA) | 1,359–1,388 L |
| Powertrains (EU) | Petrol, Diesel |
| Engine displacement (EU) | 1,796–5,461 cm³ |
| Power (EU) | 135–310 kW (184–421 PS) |
| Mass in running order (EU) | 1,435–1,610 kg |
| Wheelbase (EU) | 2,430 mm |
Years and markets
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model years (US) | 2000–2016 |
| New registrations (EU) | 2000–2017, 2019–2020 |
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
| Component | Complaints | Most reported model years |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 47 | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 23 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Engine and cooling | 20 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Body and structure | 15 | 2006, 2013, 2014 |
| Fuel and propulsion | 12 | 2005, 2007, 2012 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 2005, 2006, 2008 |
| Brakes | 8 | 2005, 2009, 2015 |
| Speed control and cruise | 7 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Suspension | 6 | 2005, 2012 |
| Lights | 5 | 2005, 2006 |
Source: complaints filed by owners with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2005–2009, 2012–2016: 145 complaints, 5 with a crash and 2 with a fire. Complaints are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one component. More complaints can also mean more cars sold.