1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Visibility Problems

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

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

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

TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS WERE DAMAGED. THEY HAD WATER MARKS AND CRACKS , THUS LOWERING HER VISIBILITY. THE CONTACTWAS NOT CLEAR AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10177776

Incident

Jan 6, 2006

DRIVERS SIDE AUTO DIMMING SIDEVIEW MIRROR AND INSIDE AUTO DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR HAVE FAILED. THEY ARE NO LONGER REFLECTIVE AND ARE PERMANENTLY DARK. *JB

NHTSA ID

10091150

Incident

Jun 1, 2004

Mileage

53,500 mi

REARVIEW MIRROR HAS FOG INSIDE THE GLASS,MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF IT. BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO FAIL. ALSO, DASH LIGHTS FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10059960

Incident

Oct 2, 2002

Mileage

19,000 mi

MERCEDES-BENZ CAN NOT FIX WINDOW LEAKING, COMING OFF TRACK. *AK

NHTSA ID

749359

Incident

Nov 6, 1999

WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AFTER 5 MINUTES WHILE RUNNING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD BOUNCE ON GLASS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK

NHTSA ID

854945