The solenoid of the camshaft adjuster is sealed from the factory by nothing more than a plain sealing ring, and over time that starts to leak.
Applies to the engine M276DE30AL, M276DES35, M271DE18AL.
Repair: from 31 EUR
vinkodex.Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class R172 common faults.
2011–2016. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.
Markus Jordan / CC BY-SA 3.0
What to watch for
What can go wrong on this car?
The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.
critical5
On engines built between July and September 2015 the supplier made a mistake in the welding process, so the weld seam on the camshaft is not as it should be.
Applies to the engine M274DE16AL, M274DE20AL.
On the four cylinder, supercharged 1.8 M271 the timing chain stretches and the sprockets of the camshaft adjuster (Nockenwellenversteller) wear out.
Applies to the engine M271DE18AL.
The chain tensioner seal starts to leak and engine oil can drip onto the exhaust system.
Applies to the engine OM651DE22LA.
The sealing ring of the chain tensioner starts to let through, and engine oil escapes at the tensioner.
Applies to the engine OM651DE22LA.
expensive3
On the 2.0 turbo four cylinder (M274, and the transverse M270) the control valve of the crankcase ventilation system fails early.
Applies to the engine M274DE16AL, M274DE20AL.
At a cold start a brief, metallic rattle comes from the front of the engine, and it has two causes.
Applies to the engine M276DE30AL, M276DES35.
In the Mercedes 7 speed 722.9 automatic (7G-Tronic / 7G-Tronic Plus) the mechatronics unit and the conductor plate (Leiterplatte) age over time: jerking on shifts, delayed engagement, a "Getriebe schützen" message, and fault codes on the gearbox electronics.
Applies to the transmission MB7229.
3 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.
Official recall2 recallsShowThe manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.
A12/01236/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateThe driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel. In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
A12/01448/22Safety recallEnvironment, Injuriesno date · EU Safety GateFaulty configurations of the control units (traction systems, signal recording triggering modules, engine control units and headlights) could cause one or more control units to malfunction, which could increase the risk of an accident. The exhaust emissions exceed the legal limits, posing a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
Engines and transmissions in this generation
A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.
R172 · 2011–2016
Pick the version.
The fault list opens on the version page.
12 versions
EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody
1.8 l · 1796 cm³
M271DE18AL · MB7229
SLK 200
2011–2016 · SLK 200
184 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible1.8 l · 1796 cm³
M271DE18AL · MB6MT
SLK 200
2011–2016 · SLK 200
184 HPpetrol · manualconvertible1.8 l · 1796 cm³
M271DE18AL · MB7229
SLK 250
2011–2016 · SLK 250
204 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible1.8 l · 1796 cm³
M271DE18AL · MB6MT
SLK 250
2011–2016 · SLK 250
204 HPpetrol · manualconvertible2.0 l · 1991 cm³
M274DE20AL · MB7250
SLK 200
2011–2016 · SLK 200
184 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible2.0 l · 1991 cm³
M274DE20AL · MB6MT
SLK 200
2011–2016 · SLK 200
184 HPpetrol · manualconvertible2.0 l · 1991 cm³
M274DE20AL · MB7250
SLK 300
2011–2016 · SLK 300
245 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible2.1 l · 2143 cm³
OM651DE22LA
SLK 250 CDI
2011–2016 · SLK 250 CDI
204 HPdiesel · manualconvertible2.1 l · 2143 cm³
OM651DE22LA · MB7229
SLK 250 CDI
2011–2016 · SLK 250 CDI
204 HPdiesel · automaticconvertible2.1 l · 2143 cm³
OM651DE22LA · MB7229
SLK 250 d
2011–2016 · SLK 250 d
204 HPdiesel · automaticconvertible3.5 l · 3498 cm³
M276DES35 · MB7229
SLK 350
2011–2016 · SLK 350
306 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible5.5 l · 5461 cm³
M152DE55 · MB7229
SLK 55 AMG
2011–2016 · SLK 55 AMG
421 HPpetrol · automaticconvertible
Neighbouring generations
R172 · 2011–2016
R172 (2011-2016). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Previous generation
R171 · 2004–2011This generation
R172 · 2011–2016
Next generation
This is the latest.
Common questions
About this generation
Which years does this page cover?
2011–2016. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.
Does the fault apply to every car like this?
No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.
Is it free?
The fault list is.
Information, not an expert opinion
We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.
- A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
- A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
- You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.