2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230

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.

The contact owns a 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V505000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was started; however, the brake lights were inoperable. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11598585

Incident

Jul 3, 2024

Mileage

50,000 mi

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION OR FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSING A POTENTIAL DANGER OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11076461

Incident

Mar 6, 2018

Mileage

129,670 mi

INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR: LIQUID WITHIN THE MIRROR IS OBSCURING MORE THAN 75% OF THE VIEWING AREA, MAKING THE MIRROR USELESS AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

10838535

Incident

Jan 4, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER CONSOLE HARD PLASTIC TRIM DETACHED. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED CRACKS AND SEPARATED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL NEAR THE FLOORBOARD DETACHED COMPLETELY AND THE WIRES WERE VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER PRODUCED THE REQUIRED PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10750238

Incident

Jun 10, 2015

Mileage

80,000 mi

SUDDEN SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE I AM THE SON OF THE OWNERS OF THE MERCEDES IN QUESTION. IN FEBRUARY 2010, MY MOTHER EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. SHE WAS PULLING UP TO A PARKING SPACE. BY HER REPORT, THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED, JUMPING THE CONCRETE BARRIER AND ENDING UP WITH FRONT TIRES IN AN ADJACENT PLANTER. SHE STATED THAT SHE APPLIED HER BRAKES WHILE THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING, BUT THIS DID NOT APPEAR TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION WAS LAUNCHED, BOTH BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND EVENTUALLY BY A MERCEDES BENZ USA REPRESENTATIVE AS WELL. THOUGH I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT CONCLUSIONS, I BELIEVE THAT THEY ATTRIBUTED THE ACCIDENT TO DRIVER ERROR BY STEPPING ON THE INCORRECT PEDAL. YESTERDAY, SEPT. 29, 2011, I DROVE THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE ACCIDENT. THIS WAS A ROUND-TRIP JOURNEY ON I-8 FROM PACIFIC BEACH TO KENSINGTON, ABOUT 20 MILES ROUND TRIP. SHORTLY INTO THE TRIP, I NOTICED THE CAR FAILED TO DECELERATE AFTER I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND THE CAR SLOWED APPROPRIATELY. THIS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES DURING MY OUTBOUND JOURNEY; IN TWO OF THE SIX INSTANCES, NOT ONLY DID THE CAR NOT DECELERATE, BUT ACTUALLY ACCELERATED ABOVE ITS CURRENT SPEED UNTIL I APPLIED THE BRAKES. TWO ADDITIONAL EPISODES HAPPENED UPON MY RETURN TRIP. DURING THE FIRST, IN AN EFFORT TO OBTAIN A MORE COMPLETE PICTURE AFTER THE PROBLEM SPONTANEOUSLY RETURNED.

NHTSA ID

10428630

Incident

Feb 1, 2010

Mileage

35,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10354374

Incident

Sep 7, 2010

Mileage

88,000 mi

REARVIEW MIRROR ON MY 2000 MERC. SLK230 WITH THE AUTO-DIM FEATURE STARTED LEAKING, MAKING THE MIRROR USELESS. I'M UNABLE TO SEE OUT MY MIRROR NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10329113

Incident

May 5, 2010

Mileage

599,200 mi

THE 2000 SLK230 I PURCHASED NEW IN 2000 HAS 5,000 MILES ON IT. MINT-GARAGE STORED CONDITION. I HAVE REQUESTED NUMEROUS TIMES,ASSISTANCE WITH BOTH SIDE DOOR PROBLEMS WHICH MAY LEAD TO UNWARRANTED AIR BAG RELEASE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE DEFECT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED IN 2001 BY MERCEDES BENZ AS THE NEWER MODELS HAVE A "ONE PIECE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL, VS THE "TWO PIECE" INTERIOR DOOR PANELS IN THE 2000 MODELS. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR PANELS HAVE BROKEN LOOSE FROM THE DOOR DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF TWO PIECE WITH ALL PRESSURE TO CLOSE THE DOORS, PULLING THE TWO PIECE PANEL DESIGN AWAY FROM THE ACTUAL DOORS. MERCEDES BENZ-CORPORATE AND THEIR LOCAL DEALERS REFUSE TO ASSIST WITH THE ISSUE. I AM CONFIDENT THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INEVITABLE FROM BOTH SIDES DUE TO THE DEFECT IN DESIGN. HOPEFULLY WITH NO INJURY! *TR

NHTSA ID

10253209

Incident

Feb 10, 2005

Mileage

5,000 mi

Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor housing leaks. 3.2. Pump fitting leaks. 3.3. Washer fluid hose cannot be snapped into place on pump fitting. 3.4. Washer fluid hose will not stay on pump fitting, although connector OK. 4. Washer fluid line. 4.1 Connector will not stay on pump fitting because it is broken. 4.2 Sealing ring in connector missing. 4.3 Sealing ring in connector fitted, but deformed and therefore leaks. 4.4 Damage to washer line by animal. 5. Seal on heating washer fluid reservoir/washer fluid reservoir. Remedy Replace defective component parts only. Do not replace any adjacent component parts that are intact. Note: Repair kits for washer line hoses do exist to allow patches for line damage.

Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. Seating of the microphones in the headliner. Side edges are covered by the textile cover (see picture "1") B. Assembly of microphones (B25/20 or B25/21) in the headliner. C. Dirt inside the microphone housing Remedy 1. Press finger on rear of microphone (on adhesive tape) 2. Remove microphone cap from the front 3. Eliminate protruding material residues of the microphone cutout at the headliner, e.g. with a soldering iron. The microphone must be seated in the headliner as shown in picture "2". 4. Push microphone from behind until it is firmly pressed into the headliner 5. Maintain pressure and press/clip cap into microphone from the front. Note: The cover cap must be clearly heard and felt to engage. 6. This procedure must be carried out on both microphones (B25/20 and B25/21) Note: • It is recommended to replace the cover caps. • The non-woven cloth in the cover cap protects the microphone from soiling and must not be removed. NOTE: The information contained in this document is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge to properly and safely perform diagnosis and repairs on Mercedes-Benz vehicles, using Mercedes-Benz approved tools and equipment. It informs service technicians about conditions that could occur in certain vehicles and provides information that could assist in proper vehicle diagnosis, service, or repair. It does not indicate that a defect is present in any vehicle referenced in this document nor does it imply warranty coverage. DO NOT assume that a symptom or condition, or a described cause of a symptom or condition, affects any particular vehicle or groups of vehicles, or that a described repair applies to any particular vehicle or groups of vehicles. There can be multiple causes resulting in the same or similar symptoms or conditions described in this document, and trained professional service technicians must use their diagnostic skills to make evaluations on a case-by-case basis. The information contained in this document does not guarantee warranty coverage nor does it extend the vehicle’s warranty in any way.

Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. A leak test must be performed to determine if physical fogging exists or if the headlamp is leaky. Remedy In advance, observe LI82.10-P-078301 "Headlamps or Front Fog Lamps Leaking or Fogged". 1. Prepare headlamp/check for external damage: For headlamps with a closed system 1. Check the headlamps for any external damage and check also for correct seating of the Gore-diaphragm/correct latching of the cover caps. 2. If the headlamp exhibits any external damage, replace the headlamp. For headlamps with an open system 1. Check the headlamps for any external damage and seal off the vent then make sure the cover caps are latched correctly into place. 2. If the headlamp exhibits any external damage, replace the headlamp. Note: A headlamp with external damage is not a warranty or goodwill case. 2. Leak test of headlamp with overpressure: • Connect test adapter to pressure tester. (Figure 1) • Check test adapter for leak tightness. To do so, connect plug and coupling (picture 2) and apply a maximum overpressure of 30 mbar. The pressure must remain constant. If the pressure does not remain constant, use a new adapter. • Seal all the outlet openings using sealing compound and the given diaphragm with the plunger (picture 3). (Picture 4) Make allowance for the different headlamp variants here (there are different outlet openings). • Check if the headlamp needs to be removed to gain access to the diagnostic socket on the headlamp housing. • Plug the adapter onto the diagnostic socket on the headlamp housing. (Picture 5). • Apply a maximum of 30 mbar overpressure to the headlamp housing. Note: If the maximum overpressure of 50 mbar is exceeded the headlamp seal will be damaged. • If a pressure drop of less than 10 mbar is measured within 30 seconds, the headlamp is not leaky and the problem is down to natural physical fogging. • If a pressure drop of more than 10 mbar is measured within 30 seconds, the headlamp is leaky. Note: The leaky position can be localized with the aid of soap suds. Replace any leaky headlamps. Note: Desiccant packs can be installed for headlamps that are not leaky. See: • LI82.10-P-064766 Fogged headlamp, desiccant pack installed - open ventilation system • LI82.10-P-078304 Fogged headlamp, desiccant pack installed - closed ventilation system

Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. Headlamps comply with all applicable standards. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the lamp unit is a "closed system". Remedy Headlamp: Remedy 1 Clearing fogged/condensed LED headlamps and LED rear lamps: 1. Drive vehicle into workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4 °F) and connect the exhaust extraction. Note: Do not perform an engine wash before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the hood or trunk. 4. Switch on the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Clearing fogged/condensed halogen/xenon headlamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4°F). Note: Do not perform an engine wash before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine. 3. Open the hood. 4. Switch off the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Note: If there is no visible reduction in the formation of condensation, check the headlamp for a defect. (See Remedy 2) It is not physically possible to defog the headlamps completely. Fogging does not impair the operation or the service life of the headlamp. Remedy 2 A Damaged headlamp can be identified as follows: 1. Check the headlamp for external damage and that the cover caps and the diaphragm are correctly seated. 2. Check the electrical connectors of the plugs and pins. 3. Check for leak tightness in accordance with LI82.10-P-078307. The test can only be conducted on headlamps. 4. If the headlamp or the rear lamp has any external damage, replace the component part in accordance with the WIS instructions. Note: External damage to the headlamp/rear lamp or faulty seating of the cover caps does not present a warranty or goodwill case. With headlamps, it is possible to install desiccant packs if the problem occurs repeatedly. Open ventilation system: LI82.10-P-064766. Closed ventilation system LI82.10-P-078304

Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical impairment of the rear lamps. Remedy Rear lamp: Remedy 1: Clearing fogged/condensed rear lamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4 °F) Note: Do not wash the vehicle or subject it to high-pressure cleaning before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the trunk. 4. Switch on the exterior lighting. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation -> a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (defogging progress).

Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage • Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). • Objects wedged between the seat backrest and seat cushion (e.g. seat belt buckle). • Light initial creases due to vehicle handling. • Light creases in the outer covers originating from the production process (missing finish). Heat treatment of the seat covers using heat gun and plastic wedge. Be very careful to not overheat the seat material!