Most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 problems
Share of the 10 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz SLK350 complaints by model year
Best SLK350 years: 2013, 2015, 2016. Compare all years →
What 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz SLK350. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate independently. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and restarted when suddenly the vehicle jumped into first gear. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not shift from the first gear. The vehicle was restarted again and the vehicle functioned as normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission vehicle speed sensor failed and the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.
3 issues--camshaft selenoid; defective gear in the balance shafts of the engine; transmission valve body defect. All three of these issues have been documented by Mercedes internal documents and there is a class action suit on going for the defective gear in the balance shafts of the engine right now. These are critical issues as the car can lose power. With regard to the balance shaft issues, metal from the shaft deteriorates and that infiltrates the other engine parts causing the engine to prematurely fail. Almost all of the reports on this issue are for SLK350's with less than 80,000 miles.
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 a good car?
Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 SLK350 rates few complaints: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the SLK350 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350?
The transmission & drivetrain — 5 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the speed control & acceleration (2) and engine & cooling (2).
How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2015 and 2016. See the full Mercedes-Benz SLK350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 63,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.