1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Owner Complaints

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

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

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

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

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

REAR VIEW MIRROR STAY AT NIGHT VIEW , AND THE DRIVER MIRROR IS HALF & HALF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10428360

Incident

Oct 1, 2010

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

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

MERCEDES BENZ 1999 SLK 230 -REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILED ,THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS ARE COMPLETELY USELESS. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. BOTH INSIDE AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS HAVE FAILED . THERE IS NO WAY ONE CAN SEE - THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE - MERCEDES DEALER AND MERCEDES USA SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM - DEALER SAYS IT IS NORMAL WEAR. THESES ARE MIRRORS - NOT TIRES. COMPANY THAT MADE THE MIRROR HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS SINCE THEY OFFERED REPLACEMENTS PREVIOUS YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10360522

Incident

Jul 1, 2010

Mileage

78,000 mi

MY 1999 MERCEDES SLK 230 INTERIOR AND DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR HAVE DISCOLORED TILL THEY ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO USE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10332507

Incident

May 17, 2010

Mileage

30,000 mi

VEHICLE TYPE IS 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 (R170 MODEL). THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS FAIL LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ID

10328400

Incident

Sep 18, 2008

THIS IS A REPORT ABOUT UNUSUAL FOGGING UP OF ALL VEHICLE WINDOWS IF THE A/C IS SWITCHED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE WITHOUT A/C BEING ON ALL THE TIME OR HAVING TO OPEN WINDOWS DUE TO LACK OF VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. IF, FOR SOME REASON, THE A/C MALFUNCTIONS WHILE DRIVING, THIS COULD POSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED QUICKLY. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENS IF ONE DRIVES WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL ON RECYCLE INSTEAD OF ALLOWING FRESH AIR IN COLD CLIMATE. BUT IN THIS CASE, IT IS FOGGING UP REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE/HUMIDITY OUTSIDE AND EVEN WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL IS NOT ON RECYCLE MODE. THE CAR HAS A FRESH/RECIRC FLAP INSIDE THE DASHBOARD AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED BY A FLAP ACTUATOR. IF THIS PART FAILS, AS I SUSPECT IT HAS HAPPENED, THEN THE FLAP CAN GET STUCK IN RECIRC MODE WHICH NO FRESH AIR WILL EVER ENTER THE CAR WHEN WINDOWS ARE CLOSED. EVEN IF A/C IS ON TO PREVENT FOGGING, DRIVING WITH NO FRESH AIR COMING IN CAN BE DANGEROUS AS CARBON DIOXIDE BUILDS UP INSIDE FROM BREATHING LEADING TO SLEEPINESS IN THE DRIVER (WHICH IS WHY DRIVING FOR LONG WITH RECIRC AIR IS NOT RECOMMENDED). THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS A SILENT MALFUNCTION, AND OTHER THAN THE FOGGING PROBLEM, THERE IS NO OTHER INDICATION. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. BUT I CAN RELIABLY REPRODUCE THIS WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF DRIVING WITH A/C OFF. THERE IS NO RECOURSE LEFT FOR ME TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND DRIVING THIS WAY IF THERE IS NO FRESH AIR COMING IS DANGEROUS TO ME AND TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315993

Incident

Sep 10, 2009

HELLO, THIS IS A PRE-EMPTIVE REPORT OF A PROBLEM WITH A COMPONENT IN 1998-2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 ROADSTERS. THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT HAS MANY SYMPTOMS BUT ONE SERIOUS SYMPTOM IS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS. I AM HOPING THAT YOU DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO WAIT FOR CRASHES AND DEATHS BEFORE YOU INVESTIGATE. I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THE DOCUMENTED PROBLEM HERE AND SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND ASK THE MANUFACTURER TO ADDRESS IT. THE PROBLEM ARISES FROM A POOR DESIGN/MANUFACTURING OF SOLDERING ON A K40 RELAY MODULE WHICH IS AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT AND PART OF THE ELECTRONICS OF THE CAR THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE OPERATION. CERTAIN SOLDERED POINTS HAVE A TENDENCY TO GET CORRODED/BURNT OUT OVER TIME THAT AFFECTS THE ENGINE OPERATIONS. THE THREE PICTURES BELOW SHOW THE AFFECTED PART, THE PCB INSIDE AND A CLOSEUP OF THE SOLDERED JOINTS THAT SHOW THE PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.OPENPRESENCE.ORG/SLK/K40-1.JPG HTTP://WWW.OPENPRESENCE.ORG/SLK/K40-2.JPG HTTP://WWW.OPENPRESENCE.ORG/SLK/K40-3.JPG THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND WHILE THE OED THROWS UP REPEATABLE CODES ONCE THIS PART STARTS TO DETERIORATE - P1420, P1236, P1235, AND P1525, THE MB DEALER SERVICE CENTERS HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT THESE CODES AND THEY TELL CUSTOMERS THAT IT IS UNDEFINED AND PROBABLY DUE TO LOW BATTER VOLTAGE AND SEND THEM WITH THIS PROBLEM STILL THERE UNTIL THE PROBLEM GETS BIG. IF THE CUSTOMER IS LUCKY, THEN IT JUST RESULTS IN A STARTING PROBLEM OR STUMBLING BUT IN SOME CASES CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS THE DANGEROUS PART. THIS PART WAS REDESIGNED IN SLKS FROM 2001 ONWARDS BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN EARLIER SLKS OR TO EQUIP THEIR AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTERS TO CATCH THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE STAGE OF HAVING BEEN MISDIAGNOSED FOR THE ABOVE CODES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315330

Incident

Feb 23, 2010

THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 (R170 MODEL) IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY WHICH GREATLY ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY IN THE INTERIOR. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING. THE LEAK DISCOLOR THE MIRROR WHICH MAKE VISIBILITY POOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10279068

Incident

Jun 20, 2009

Mileage

52,000 mi

MY INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS FAILED. THERE IS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE FLUID IN THE MIRROR, WHICH CAUSES THE AUTOMATIC SELF-DIMMING, HAS LEAKED OUT. THE MIRROR NOW FAILS TO PROVIDE DIMMING FOR REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN A BLINDED DRIVER OR NON-USE; BOTH ELIMINATING REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. THE ELECTROCHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRRORS ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN MY 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230, MODEL R170. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THE EXACT MIRRORS FAILING IN THE SAME WAY. THE MIRROR MANUFACTURE, MAGNA DONNELLY, WAS REPLACING THESE MIRRORS FOR FREE UNDER SOME KIND OF WARRANTY PROGRAM IN THE PAST, BUT STOPPED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT THEIR WARRANTY DEPARTMENT DIRECT NUMBER (616-786-7495) NOW HAS A RECORDED MESSAGE DIRECTING PEOPLE TO ANOTHER WEB SITE THAT SELLS DISCOUNTED REPLACEMENT MIRRORS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10262061

Incident

Oct 28, 2007

Mileage

89,982 mi

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FAIL AND LEAKING. OEM NEED TO REPLACE ALL THE MERCEDES REAR VIEW MIRROR ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10261326

Incident

May 1, 2007

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE LH SIDE VIEW MIRROR IN MY 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 (R170 MODEL) IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO BE SMOKEY WHICH YOU CAN NOW BARELY SEE OUT OF AND TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10256917

Incident

Jan 20, 2009

Mileage

92,015 mi

IN THE RESENT MONTH I NOTICED MY REARVIEW MIRROR ON THE INSIDE TO APPEAR TO BE LEAKING. IT ALSO HAS STOPPED DIMMING. EVERYTHING I SEE FROM MY MIRROR APPEARS VERY FOGGY AND HARD TO SEE. IT DIFFICULT TO BACK UP LOOKING THROUGH IT. THE MIRROR NEVER WORKS PROPERLY SINCE THIS "LEAKING" HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM YET. THE OEM MIRROR IS $180 AT THE MERCEDES DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10251914

Incident

Nov 1, 2008

Mileage

107,000 mi

1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS A SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS FAIL LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ID

10250898

Incident

Dec 1, 2008

Mileage

55,000 mi

VEHICLE TYPE IS 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 (R170 MODEL). THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS FAIL LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ID

10250803

Incident

Apr 24, 2004

Mileage

39,000 mi

VEHICLE TYPE IS 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 (R170 MODEL). THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS FAIL LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ID

10250802

Incident

Nov 22, 2007

Mileage

62,010 mi

VEHICLE TYPE IS 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 (R170 MODEL). THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS FAIL LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ID

10235333

Incident

Jul 11, 2008

Mileage

39,125 mi

REAR VIEW MIRROR ( DONNELLY #010486) IS BLURRY AND HAS THREE DIFFERENT SHADES OF TINTING. I CAN BARELY TELL IF A VEHICLE IS BEHIND ME AND THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE ITS DISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10229697

Incident

May 25, 2008

Mileage

61,000 mi

FOR MY SLK 230 1999 , SPORT PACKAGE, THE RED AND BLACK INTERIORS, FADE AWAY CONSTANTLY , THE RED PAINT ON DASH AND CENTER CONSOLE IS VERY DELICATE, IT WILL SCRATCH ALL THE WAY DEEP ENOUGH TO SEE THE BLACK ORIGINAL COLOR OF THE SAME... CARDAN JOINTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOUR TIMES AND KEEPS BREAKING , I HAVE A BRAND NEW ONE IN MY TRUNK BECAUSE THE 4TH ONE IS ALREADY BROKEN...THEN THE ASR LIGHT TURNS ON" AVOIDING FOR THE ASR SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY, CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS ON WET ROAD.. I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND ALMOST TOTALED MY SLK230... *TR

NHTSA ID

10217894

Incident

Sep 17, 2005

Mileage

107,000 mi

1999 MERCEDES SLK 230 WITH A SAFETY RECALL CUSTOMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS**CC THE DEALER DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL AFTER BEING TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE. RECALL # 05V505000. *JB

NHTSA ID

10182674

Incident

Aug 6, 2006