Owners have filed 42 complaints
about the 1998 Mercedes Benz SLK230 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2021.
The largest single group is the lights.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 46
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz SLK230. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 61
11.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 63
37% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 compares with every other Mercedes Benz SLK230
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Brake Lights
1041.7%
Tail Lights
312.5%
Automatic Transmission
312.5%
Sensor/Control Module
28.3%
Body
28.3%
Latch
28.3%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices
14.2%
Roof AND Pillars
14.2%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
210.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
315.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
526.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
15.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
631.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
210.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 1999peak 7Mar 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Mercedes Benz SLK230
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE05051Opened 22 Sep 2005Closed 2 Dec 2005EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
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...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Atlanta, GAFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS MODEL HAS BEEN EVOLVED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE MANUFACTURER MORE TO MARKET AND IN A HASTILY TIME,PERHAPS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER AND REQUIRES THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. NO SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #756350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THIS MODEL HAS BEEN EVOLVED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE MANUFACTURER MORE TO MARKET AND IN A HASTILY TIME,PERHAPS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER AND REQUIRES THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. NO SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #756350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GAFire
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THIS MODEL HAS BEEN EVOLVED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE MANUFACTURER MORE TO MARKET AND IN A HASTILY TIME,PERHAPS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER AND REQUIRES THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. NO SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #756350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GAFire
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
THIS MODEL HAS BEEN EVOLVED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE MANUFACTURER MORE TO MARKET AND IN A HASTILY TIME,PERHAPS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER AND REQUIRES THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. NO SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #756350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GAFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WILL START TO LOSE POWER. ALSO, THERE IS SOME FLUID LEAKAGE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8001166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 81,059 milesFalls Church, VA
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT SHEARED OFF COMPLETELY LEAVING THE CAR WITH NO STEERING CONTROL. THANKS TO GOD THIS OCCURRED RIGHT AFTER A HIGHWAY EXIT AND WHILE TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. IF THIS SHAFT HAD SHEARED 10 MINUTES BEFORE ON A HIGHWAY AT 60MPH SPEED, IT WOULD HAVE LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FATALITIES AND SEVERE MULTI CARS ACCIDENT ON A PUBLIC HIGH WAY TRAVELING WELL OVER 65 MPH SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #11403158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesClaremont, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BASE OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LAMP MELTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V505000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 8/21/15
NHTSA complaint #10730611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duck KEY, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE GRAY INTERIOR OF THE MERCEDES BENZ 1998 SLK230 WAS PEELING OFF THE CONSOLE AND MOST OF THE REST OF THE INTERIOR. IT SEEMED TO BE A GRAY PLASTIC FILM WHICH WAS PUT OVER WHAT LOOKED LIKE BLACK LEATHER. THE CAR'S INTERIOR WAS AWLFUL LOOKING WITH THESE BLACK PLACES SHOWING THROUGH THE GRAY THROUGHT MOST OF THE INTERIOR. I DIDN'TT THINK THE INTERIOR OF A MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD SHRED AND PEEL NO MATTER HOW OLD THE CAR WAS.
NHTSA complaint #10196214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesYonkers, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN REFERENCE TO THE 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SLK WITH CURRENT MILEAGE: 85,000 A RECALL ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE DEALING WITH EXTERIOR REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND GAVE THEM THE INFORMATION, THEY SCHEDULED HER AN APPOINTMENT, AND TOLD HER TO COME BACK WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SAID THAT NOW THE FRONT LIGHTS WERE NOW BEING AFFECTED, AND THAT SHE HAD BEEN RECEIVING NUMEROUS TICKETS BECAUSE OF THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #10186508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesYonkers, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN REFERENCE TO THE 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SLK WITH CURRENT MILEAGE: 85,000 A RECALL ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE DEALING WITH EXTERIOR REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND GAVE THEM THE INFORMATION, THEY SCHEDULED HER AN APPOINTMENT, AND TOLD HER TO COME BACK WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SAID THAT NOW THE FRONT LIGHTS WERE NOW BEING AFFECTED, AND THAT SHE HAD BEEN RECEIVING NUMEROUS TICKETS BECAUSE OF THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #10186508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,500 milesWestlake Village, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE SLK. REPLACED ENTIRE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SOCKETS EVERY FEW MONTHS FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE OWNED THE CAR. WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF THE CAR NO LONGER BEING UNDER WARRANTY, THE SOCKET FAILED AFTER ONLY 1 WEEK OF BEING REPLACED. WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY (AGAIN), BUT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID THEY COULD KEEP REPLACING THE SOCKETS, BUT THAT WOULD ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX. DEALER PUT IN A NEW SOCKET, THIS TIME TWISTING OUT THE LEADS TO GET A BETTER CONTACT AND IT SEEMS TO BE HOLDING. (AT LEAST FOR NOW) THE FAULTY REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM AS IT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND/OR DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #10168166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesAlexandria, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES, REPLACED UP UNTIL THIS POINT AT OWNERS COST. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE VIN IS NOT WITHIN THE RANGE THAT THEY ARE REPLACING. MY VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN NOW AS IT HAS FAILED IT'S VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE EACH ALREADY.
NHTSA complaint #10154421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesMiami, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
REAR BRAKE LIGHT WILL STOP WORKING PERIODICALLY DUE TO MELTED SOCKET. OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW AND DEALER REPLACE SOCKETS TWICE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE WARRANTY EXPIRED I REPLACED THE SOCKET TWICE MORE ON EACH SIDE AT A COST OF $20.
NHTSA complaint #10151503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
AFTER DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT BULB BURNED OUT I REPLACED BULB THREE TIMES BEFORE HAVING TO TAKE IT TO A MERCEDES SPECIALTY REPAIR SHOP. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. WHILE THERE IT WAS MENTIONED THAT ANOTHER CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10149052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesLebanon, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
REAR BRAKE LAMPS KEEPS BURNING OUT AND WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10137942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesChicago, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TAILLIGGHT ASSEMBLY BECOMES HEATED AND CAUSES FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET/HOUSING. DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THEY CAN NOT KEEP THE PARTS IN STOCK FAST ENOUGH TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10124556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesChicago, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
DT: BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUCTIONED AFTER EXTENDED USE. THE HEAT CAUSED THE SOCKET AND HOUSING TO DISTORT AND MELT, LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE LIGHTS. *AK CONSUMER STILL HAS DEFECTIVE PARTS FOR INSPECTIONS AND TESTING. IF NHTSA NEED THESE PARTS PLEASE CONTACT CONSUMER.*SB
NHTSA complaint #10124557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,000 milesBethesda, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
I HAVE A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 230. THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER INFORMS ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. IT SEEMS THAT WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10121690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesNorwich, CT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENGINE THREW A ROD THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BLOCK AT 84,000 MILES FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10114458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesNorwich, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE THREW A ROD THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BLOCK AT 84,000 MILES FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10114458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fair Oaks, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDE BY MRS. MARGO'S HUSBAND LENOR KARSTADT.
NHTSA complaint #10099344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fair Oaks, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDE BY MRS. MARGO'S HUSBAND LENOR KARSTADT.
NHTSA complaint #10099344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,347 milesWilmington, DE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
MY SEAT SENSOR IN MY CAR FAILED AT 7000 MILES OF USE. I HAVE A LOW MILEAGE MERCEDES AND IT WILL COST ALMOST 875 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. THIS SENSOR DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IN CASE OF A BABY SEAT. I HAVE NEVER USED A BABY SEAT IN MY CAR AND IT IS NOW IN THE LOCKED (OFF) POSITION MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THE PASSENGER. FORTUNATELY I RARELY HAVE A PASSENGER BUT I WANT SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE HOW OFTEN THIS SENSOR FAILS. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW IT WAS TOUTED AS A SUPER SAFE CAR IN CASE YOU HAVE A BABY. NOW THAT IT IS IN LOCKED OFF POSITION IT IS A SUPER UNSAFE CARE FOR AN ADULT. [XXX] [XXX] BY THE WAY THERE ARE ALSO OTHER DEFECTS IN THIS PARTICULAR CAR. THE AIR COMPRESSOR EXPLODED AT ABOUT 4K MILES. THAT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT HIS COST. THE BATTERY DIED AT LESS THAN 3 YEARS BUT I HAD IT REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT 4 YEARS ALSO. AND... NOW THEY SAY THERE IS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL TANK VERSUS A MALFUNCTIONING VALVE. THIS IS A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR A 7347 MILEAGE CAR. [XXX] *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10096097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,347 milesWilmington, DE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
MY SEAT SENSOR IN MY CAR FAILED AT 7000 MILES OF USE. I HAVE A LOW MILEAGE MERCEDES AND IT WILL COST ALMOST 875 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. THIS SENSOR DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IN CASE OF A BABY SEAT. I HAVE NEVER USED A BABY SEAT IN MY CAR AND IT IS NOW IN THE LOCKED (OFF) POSITION MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THE PASSENGER. FORTUNATELY I RARELY HAVE A PASSENGER BUT I WANT SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE HOW OFTEN THIS SENSOR FAILS. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW IT WAS TOUTED AS A SUPER SAFE CAR IN CASE YOU HAVE A BABY. NOW THAT IT IS IN LOCKED OFF POSITION IT IS A SUPER UNSAFE CARE FOR AN ADULT. [XXX] [XXX] BY THE WAY THERE ARE ALSO OTHER DEFECTS IN THIS PARTICULAR CAR. THE AIR COMPRESSOR EXPLODED AT ABOUT 4K MILES. THAT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT HIS COST. THE BATTERY DIED AT LESS THAN 3 YEARS BUT I HAD IT REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT 4 YEARS ALSO. AND... NOW THEY SAY THERE IS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL TANK VERSUS A MALFUNCTIONING VALVE. THIS IS A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR A 7347 MILEAGE CAR. [XXX] *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10096097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesAustin, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 1,000 MILES ON IT, I WAS THE 3RD OWNER. 1ST OWNER WAS DEALER IN NJ, 2-ND OWNER WAS MY FATHER. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 15,000 MILES AND HAS CONTINUED. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE REAR BRAKE3 LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A "KNOWN DEFECT" THAT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED WITH THE SLK MODEL THAT MERCEDES MANUFACTURES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT HAVE A WAY TO COOL OFF AND GETS TOO HOT AND BURNS UP CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO LOOSE CONNECTION AND THEY FAIL. 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAVE ALL TOLD ME THE SAME STORY. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD KEEP REPLACING THE PART AND THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AND I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CORRECT THIS DEFAULT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE MODEL OF THIS MERCEDES. I AM AFRAID THAT I AND MY SON WHICH IS 2 WILL BE IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT MAYBE EVEN FATEL IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE, I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP LOOKING FOR HELP, THEY WILL NOT HELP ME, THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO MERCEDES, THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. I HAVE BEEN SHOW THE PART THAT GETS TOO HOT AND LOOSES ITS CONNECTION. I HAVE THEM WITH ME FOR PROOF OF WHAT I AM SAYING IS FACTUAL AND MERCEDES IS NEGLECTING THIS ISSUE. I ASSUME THEY DON'T WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH AN EXPENSIVE RECALL. PLEASE HELP US.
NHTSA complaint #10079017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesPalm Desert, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
WHILE BRAKING TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE TAIL LIGHTS. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10065054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesBelleville, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING TAIL LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY BURNING UP. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *NLM DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH NEWER VERSION. MECHANIC STATED THE ORIGINAL PART WOULD MALFUNCTION AT ANY TIME WITHOUT THE DRIVER BEING AWARE. CONSUMER STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL PART WAS REPLACED. *PH *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10040169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,995 milesHarbor City, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
PASSENGER DOOR OPENED UP WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A BUMP. THE DOOR BUTTONS OPENED ON THEIR OWN WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAD CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR *CB
NHTSA complaint #10033669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE CAR HAD A BAD LEFT DOOR PANEL THAT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY LAST YEAR. THIS SUMMER I NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOOSE AT THE TOP SO I HAD MY WIFE TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED. THEY FIXED THE PANEL AND MY DROVE HOME. WHEN MY WIFE GOT HOME SHE WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR AND THE LEFT DOOR WOULD ONLY OPEN IF SHE PUT THE WINDOW DOWN AND USED THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. SE WENT INSIDE AND CALLED THE DEALER, SHAFFER IMPORTS. THEY HAD HER BRING IT BACK SO THEY COULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SHE LEFT THE CAR AND WHEN SHE RETURNED IT HAD NOT BEEN FIXED. THEY SAID THAT THE DOOR LATCH MUST HAVE FAILED ON THE WAY HOME AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER MERCEDES MODELS THAT USE THE SAME DOOR LATCH. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED AND A RECALL ISSUED. BEING THAT THIS IS A TWO DOOR CAR WITH A CONSOLE AND A SHIFTER, IT IS QUITE DIFFICULT FOR ONE TO EXIT THE LEFT SEAT TO THE RIGHT DOOR. THIS COULD CAUSE LOST TIME IN AN EMERGENCY AND ULTIMATELY LOSS OF LIFE. PLEAS GIVE THIS PROBLEM YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #767638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Wayne, IN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER STATES THAT DOOR LATCH IS INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER HAS TO REACH OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE TO OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #8019257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.