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Owner report · 2009 model year

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Steering

Steering leads by volume: 2 of 3 complaints (67%) mention it.

Complaints filed fell from 14 in 2008 to 3 in 2009.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
3
Recall campaigns
1
EPA fuel cost per year
$3,700–$4,550
Combined MPG
17–21

Complaints by model year

  1. 372007
  2. 142008
  3. 32009
  4. 02010
  5. 02011

Where owners report problems

  1. Steering2 (67%)
  2. Brakes1 (33%)
  3. Electrical1 (33%)
  4. Other1 (33%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (33%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category20072008200920102011vs. 2009 Two Seaters
Annual fuel cost ($)3,850–4,8503,850–4,8503,700–4,5503,700–4,5503,700–3,850
Combined MPG16–2016–2017–2117–2120–21
City / Highway MPG14–18 / 20–2514–18 / 20–2514–19 / 22–2614–19 / 22–2618–19 / 25–26
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)444–555444–555423–523423–523423–444
Complaints filed3714300Not compared
Recalls issued33100Not compared
Crash-involved complaints01000Not compared
Fire-involved complaints00000Not compared
Injuries reported01000Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared55554

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class get?

EPA rates it 17–21 MPG combined across 5 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class?

EPA estimates $3,700–$4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (5)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Manual 6-spd63.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters17 mpg26 mpg (high)20 mpg$3,850444 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic 7-spd63.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters19 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)21 mpg (high)$3,700 (low)423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 7-spd63.5LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters18 mpg26 mpg (high)21 mpg (high)$3,700 (low)423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4Manual 6-spd63.5LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters18 mpg26 mpg (high)21 mpg (high)$3,700 (low)423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 5Automatic (S7)85.4LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters14 mpg (low)22 mpg (low)17 mpg (low)$4,550 (high)523 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine00000
Transmission & Drivetrain00000
Fuel System00000
Electrical10000
Brakes10000
Steering20000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires10000
Airbags & Restraints00000
Driver Assistance & Speed Control00000
Body, Seats & Latches00000
Visibility & Lighting00000
Other10000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (1)

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Campaign 08V303000 · Jul 7, 2008

    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    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.