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ProblemsByVin Index / 2012-MERCEDES-BENZ-SLK-CLASS / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class owner complaints

11 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Listed by category, newest first within each section.

other 6 complaints shown

10/06/2025 ODI #11691757.0

My mechanic says it's the fuel filter and it has been discontinued. I am a single woman and I am now afraid to drive my car. l am stressed about breaking down or being killed. Please help me. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

09/26/2014 28,000 mi 1 injury ODI #10639326.0

Moved from san francisco to palm springs, upon being in the desert with increased temperatures, my car started emitting strong fumes that smell like burning crayons, thought it was coming from exhaust because it was burning my eyes and causing headaches. Took into dealer at palm springs Mercedes, and they informed me that they have had this problem before due to the wax that is in the body of car to protect from corrosion. They stated that when the wax heats up it melts and causes this odor. They removed the wax from the interior of doors, but this did no resolve the issue. They have documented that the odor is still there, but refuse to work on the car anymore. I want them to buy out the lease but they are refusing. The Mercedes dealer told me to get a lawyer. He informed me that

09/23/2021 48,000 mi ODI #11433988.0

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the front passenger’s side headrest erroneously deployed. During the failure no crash had occurred, and no passenger was seated in the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but not assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 48,000.

09/15/2012 3,402 mi ODI #10475510.0

I parked my car with an almost full tank of gas while I was at work. After leaving work, I started the car and while I was driving I smelled a strong gasoline odor, and in about 3 miles the engine acted like it was running out of fuel, then died on a freeway off-ramp due to fuel exhaustion. A caltrans (or san jose) freeway safety car came by and put about 2 gallons of gas in my tank, but as soon as the engine started we both smelled raw gasoline. I then drove about 1/8 of a mile to the nearest parking lot and stopped, and we both smelled very strong gasoline odor and found fuel leaking onto the ground, where it pooled in a large puddle. There was no fire, but easily could have been. A tow truck carried the car to smythe european in san jose, where the next day they say they repaired the le

07/01/2020 25,375 mi ODI #11337084.0

Glove box facing has detached from the lower side. It hangs further out than the glove box and could be a danger to the passenger in the event of an accident or even a hard stop. It started coming apart 3 years ago. From my research on the internet it is a known problem with this model car. It came apart over time from heat and sub-standard glue. *tr

05/21/2015 20,000 mi ODI #10717847.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mercedes benz slk350. The contact stated that the vehicle had a bad odor. The vehicle was treated (cleaned, vaporized, filters were changed, interior was ionized) by the dealer; however, the odor recurred continuously. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

wheels 1 complaint shown

11/03/2022 105,000 mi ODI #11492157.0

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that as she pulled over and parked the vehicle, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated for the driver's side rear tire. When the contact exited the vehicle, she saw that the rim hub cap had detached from the driver's side rear wheel. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who removed the tire and sent it to a local dealer. The mechanic at the local dealer made the contact aware of a crack on the side wall. Additionally, the contact stated that the tire was taken to the original place of purchase, and the claims team determined the failure was caused by damage from the rim and advis

suspension 1 complaint shown

05/19/2014 28,000 mi ODI #10592439.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mercedes benz slk 350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact heard a loud pop from the rear of the vehicle. The rear of the vehicle swerved to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that both control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

steering 1 complaint shown

04/22/2016 13,255 mi ODI #10860868.0

Electric steering wheel locks, when you go back to the car all the electrical system is not working the car is dead as dead, if you happen to be in a bad neighborhood your life is in danger, the car must be towed to the Mercedes dealer, practically what happen to so many car owner I know is that eis / esl the eis module where you insert key to start and the esl steering lock assembly locate at the bottom of the column that fails. The cost of repair ($1700.) as nothing to do with the risk you take to be stranded anywhere with no prior diagnostic flag. Mercedes steering locks is not an inconvenience , but a safety concerns or hardship that this issue presents. This is happen for the model 08+ as my self an electrical engineer and inspect this esl unit the decline of workmanship in the ass

airbags 1 complaint shown

02/20/2015 5,800 mi ODI #10689572.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mercedes benz slk350. The contact stated that the occupant classification system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 5,800.

powertrain 1 complaint shown

01/22/2013 4,900 mi ODI #10494364.0

Transmission wouldn't go into gear. Car lost power on freeway. Many repairs last one being electronic gas pedal. *tr ## VIN passed ## Mercedes slk350 2012 ##

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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