2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK230, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes240.0%
- Electrical120.0%
- Engine120.0%
- Exterior lighting120.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL LOCKS UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT 40 MPH (IN TOWN) AND ALSO 65 MPH (ON HIGHWAY), ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT ANOTHER CAR AND RUN OFF THE ROAD. ITS HAPPENS TWICE FOR ONLY 3 SECONDS AT A TIME. THE BAS, SAP AND EMERGENCY LIGHTS ALL COME ON AT THIS TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING TO WORK, A FELLOW MOTORIST FLAGGED HER DOWN AND ALERTED HER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH OLMSTED (28450 LORAIN RD, NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070, 440-716-2700) TO BE SERVICED. THE DEALER FOUND A NAIL INSIDE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V505000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,347.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. THE CONTACT STATED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY START WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION KEY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF BEAVERTON LOCATED AT 9275 SOUTH WEST CANYON RD PORTLAND OR 97225 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSTANT CODE PO171
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED 11 TIMES. THE RECALL TO FIX IT FAILED AND MERCEDES WONT CORRECT THE TAIL LIGHT SYSTEM. NO BRAKE LIGHT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC, IN MAKING LEFT TURNS ESPECIALLY! BRAKING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LIGHT FUNCTION ON ANY VEHICLE!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .