Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
59
Latest Apr 5, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 59 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230, most frequently naming the visibility, brakes and electrical categories. 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 13 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Monthly complaints peaked at 4 in Sep 2005. Most recent month: 1.View as table
Monthly owner complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230
Month
Complaints filed
Cumulative
Feb 1999
3
3
Jul 1999
1
4
Aug 1999
1
5
Dec 1999
1
6
Jan 2000
2
8
Mar 2000
1
9
Jun 2000
1
10
Mar 2001
1
11
Jul 2001
1
12
Sep 2003
1
13
Oct 2003
1
14
Feb 2004
1
15
Jun 2004
1
16
Sep 2004
1
17
Dec 2004
1
18
May 2005
1
19
Jun 2005
1
20
Sep 2005
4
24
Oct 2005
2
26
Mar 2006
1
27
Jul 2006
1
28
Aug 2006
2
30
Dec 2006
1
31
Jan 2007
2
33
Feb 2007
2
35
Feb 2008
1
36
Jun 2008
1
37
Jul 2008
1
38
Dec 2008
4
42
Jan 2009
1
43
Mar 2009
2
45
Aug 2009
1
46
Mar 2010
2
48
May 2010
2
50
Oct 2010
1
51
Dec 2010
1
52
Sep 2011
1
53
Oct 2011
1
54
Aug 2012
1
55
Jan 2015
1
56
Feb 2017
1
57
Mar 2021
1
58
Apr 2021
1
59
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
IN ITS LETTER DATED OCTOBER 28, 2005, MERCEDES-BENZ USA STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY DEFECTIVE BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES IN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SLK VEHICLES.THE BASE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE MOVEMENT IN THE SOCKET-TO-BULB CONNECTION, WHICH MAY LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE SOCKET, AND FAILURE OF THE BULB TO ILLUMINATE.ALL REAR LAMP MODULES (WHICH CONTAIN BRAKE, TURN SIGNAL, TAIL AND BACKUP LAMPS) WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED REAR LAMP MODULES WITH A MORE HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL AND ENHANCED SOCKET HOLDER DESIGN TO WITHSTAND THE HEAT INSIDE THE REAR LAMP MODULE.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V505 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTSLed to recall 05V505000
Two owners of the subject vehicles have had trouble refueling the vehicle due to excessive click-offs and spit-backs.Both owners have reported being completel soaked when gasoline sprayed from the tank.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THIS VEHICLE STOPS DEAD IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL IT SITS SEVERAL MINUTES OR MORE. IT DOES NOT DO THIS EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, WE FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER MODELS OF MERCEDES. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE NHTSA BUT THEY WILL NOT RESPOND AS PROMISED. WE HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS MERCEDES DEALERS AND THEY OFFER NO SOLUTION EXCEPT TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WILL CHECK IT OUT FOR A BIG PRICE. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE CAR HAS TO MALFUNCTION WHILE THEY ARE CHECKING IT AND IT DOES NOT MALFUNCTION EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE CARS AS THIS IS A COMMON DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WE CANNOT FEEL SAFE AS LONG AS THIS CAR SHUTS DOWN WITH NO WARNING.
NHTSA ID
11406379
Incident
Jun 12, 2020
Mileage
115,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10- 15 MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF AKRON (1361 E MARKET ST, AKRON, OH 44305, (330)733-7511) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ID
11398425
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10957410
Incident
Feb 13, 2017
Mileage
125,000 mi
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 9, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported
I,, WAS AT THE INTERSECTION OF I35 AND SCHERTZ PARKWAY, IN SCHERTZ. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I SAW NO VEHICLES ENTERING INTO Y LANE, SO I PROCEEDED TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION. I FELT A BIG HIT, AND AT FIRST I COULDNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IFELT MY FACE BLEEDING AND HURTING. WHEN EMS ARRIVED THEY GAVE ME FIRST AIDE FOR MY BURN. I, TOOK PAIN MEDICINE AND WENT TO SEE MY DERMATOLOGIST FOR TREATMENT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10671221
Incident
Sep 10, 2014
Mileage
160,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 28, 2012
1999 SLK230 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ALMOST FROM THE DAY HE PURCHASED THE TIRES, ONE OF THEM HAD A SLOW LEAK. HIS MECHANIC CHECKED IT A NUMBER OF TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET THE TIRE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NO ONE WANTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *JB
NHTSA ID
10473406
Incident
Aug 1, 2012
Visibility
Filed Oct 3, 2011
REAR VIEW MIRROR STAY AT NIGHT VIEW , AND THE DRIVER MIRROR IS HALF & HALF. *TR
NHTSA ID
10428360
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Visibility
Filed Sep 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS A DARK SPOT IN THE CENTER OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. WHENEVER LIGHT WAS SHINING ON THE MIRROR THE CONTACTS VISION WAS DISTORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ID
10423897
Incident
May 15, 2010
Mileage
95,000 mi
Filed Dec 22, 2010
1999 SLK230 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER STATES CLEAR COAT WAS PEELING ON SEVERAL AREAS OF VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE BODY SHOP TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ, BECAUSE THE PAINT JOB DONE ON THE VEHICLE WAS POORLY DONE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10371727
Incident
Dec 1, 2010
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
LI82.70-P-060004
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8
LI91.25-P-059380
SEATS
Pneumatic comfort systems with insufficient performance, entirely inoperative or leaky.
LI82.85-P-058582
EQUIPMENT
Apple products (iPhone or iPod) are not charged via the serial USB interface of the COMAND Online control unit (A40/3) in the stowage compartment of the center console.
LI46.15-P-058505
STEERING
Creaking noise when making vertical or longitudinal adjustment to electrical steering column
LI77.30-P-056644
STRUCTURE
Water entry through front section of retractable hardtop with the following localization: - Partial water entry in the area of the side seals to the A-pillar (for area see Fig. 1) when accelerating/braking the vehicle.
LI82.95-P-056655
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Customer experiences low battery conditions, resulting in jump starts, and eventually requiring battery replacement.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.