2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
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
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2009 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,900–4,850 | 3,900–4,850 | 3,700–4,550 | 3,700–4,550 | 3,700–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–20 | 16–20 | 17–21 | 17–21 | 20–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–18 / 20–25 | 14–18 / 20–25 | 14–19 / 22–26 | 14–19 / 22–26 | 18–19 / 25–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–555 | 444–555 | 423–523 | 423–523 | 423–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 36 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
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 Sep 16, 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.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 19 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 7-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S7) | 8 | 5.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 14 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 9, 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.