Owners have filed 24 complaints
about the 2000 Mercedes Benz SLK230 with NHTSA between 2000 and 2024.
The largest single group is the lights.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 26
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz SLK230. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2000 compares with every other Mercedes Benz SLK230
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 Mercedes Benz SLK230
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Lights
937.5%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
28.3%
Median failure at 343,600 miles
Body & Structure
28.3%
Median failure at 42,500 miles
Airbags
28.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 25,000 mi
Electrical System
28.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 91,450 mi
Engine & Cooling
28.3%
Median failure at 61,424 miles
Other & Unspecified
14.2%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Seat Belts
14.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
14.2%
Median failure at 66,500 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 35,000 mi
Brakes
14.2%
Median failure at 129,670 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
29.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
14.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
628.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
628.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
29.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
314.3%
150,000+ miles
14.8%
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.
Mar 2000peak 2Jul 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2000 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.
at 35,000 milesSeattle, WACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 complaint #10428630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesPasadena, MDFire1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, FOLLOWED BY A BURNING SMELL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED, WHICH BRUISED HER LEFT ARM FROM THE ELBOW TO THE SHOULDER. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I005000 (AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #10229196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,230 milesSaratoga Springs, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I HAVE A 2000 MERCEDES SLK230 SPORT, COPPER DESIGNO EDITION. I HAVE HAD MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR IN THE YEAR I HAVE HAD IT. THE BACK BRAKE LIGHT WAS MELTED AND BURNED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THAT. I HAD THE CAR RUNNING FOR ABOUT 1 MIN. AND 30 SECONDS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING THAT SMELLED LIKE PLASTIC BURNING, I THOUGHT FOR SURE IT COULDN'T BE MY CAR AND WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE. I HAD THE HEAT ON NOTCH NUMBER 2 BUT NOTHING WAS COMING OUT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEAT CAME ON THEN JUST CUT OFF AGAIN, I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. THE SMELL BEGAN TO GET WORSE. SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL INTO A CONVENIENT STORE PARKING LOT. AS I PULLED IN I NOTICED SMOKE SPIRALING OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD VENTS, SO NOW I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE SMOKE IS FILLING UP THE CABIN. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND POPPED THE HOOD. SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM JUST UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I RAN INSIDE THE STORE TO GET POSSIBLY SOME WATER OR SUCH FOR THE CAR. I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW OF THE STORE AND MY CAR HAD 6 FOOT FLAMES RUSHING OUT THE FRONT RIGHT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. THE STORE MANAGER AND I RAN OUT AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, AND THE FIRE DEPT. CAME AND NEW YORK STATE POLICE. THE FIREMAN DRENCHED IT WITH WATER AND PRETTY MUCH FLOODED THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE HOLE BEHIND THE FIRE WALL WAS QUITE BIG WITH THE WIRE HARNESS BEING BURNT TO A CRISP. THE FIREMAN SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE HEATER BLOWER HAD A SHORT THE WAY IT WAS ALL MELTED. I HAVE HEARD TONS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ABOUT ELECTRICAL SHORTS, A FEW COMPLAINTS EVEN WAS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR, BUT THEY PULLED THE HEATER FUSE JUST IN TIME TO PREVENT FIRE. WHAT IF A PARENT LEFT AN INFANT IN THERE FOR A MINUTE WHILE THEY RAN IN TO PAY FOR SOMETHING , NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE PASSENGERS SEAT IS IN FLAMES, I BET SOMEONE WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS THEN!! THANK YOU, JOSH
NHTSA complaint #10189904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 50,000 milesKent, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 complaint #11598585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,670 milesDavenport, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION OR FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSING A POTENTIAL DANGER OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #11076461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,670 milesDavenport, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION OR FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSING A POTENTIAL DANGER OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #11076461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGrass Valley, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR: LIQUID WITHIN THE MIRROR IS OBSCURING MORE THAN 75% OF THE VIEWING AREA, MAKING THE MIRROR USELESS AND DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10838535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPort ST. Lucie, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 complaint #10750238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesSeattle, WACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 complaint #10428630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesSAN Francisco, CA
VISIBILITY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10354374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 599,200 milesWake Forest, NC
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10329113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesMoyock, NC
STRUCTURE
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!
NHTSA complaint #10253209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesMoyock, NC
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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!
NHTSA complaint #10253209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesPasadena, MDFire1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, FOLLOWED BY A BURNING SMELL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED, WHICH BRUISED HER LEFT ARM FROM THE ELBOW TO THE SHOULDER. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I005000 (AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #10229196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesAtlanta, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, CAM SHAFT SENSOR, MASS AIR FLOW METER, OR AN ELECTRIC IGNITION SWITCH RING. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10201043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,848 milesHouston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
CARS ENGINE SHUTS OFF SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. MOST INSTANCES OCCURRED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THE ELECTRONICS STAYED ON BUT NO ENGINE OPERATION AT ALL. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITH A SLIGHT TURN TO THE LEFT AND THEN RIGHT OR TURNING OFF ALL THE WAY AND RESTARTING. ABOUT A THIRD OF THE TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART FOR 5 TO 45 MINUTES WITH ONE OCCASION LASTING OVER 2 HOURS. MOST RECENTLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF 4 TIMES ON A 90 MILE TRIP. THE LAST OF THE FOUR FAILURES OCCURRED AS I WAS PARKING AND WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL LATER. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND NEITHER FINDING A PROBLEM, THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON SPECULATION THAT IT COULD BE A RESULT OF A SIMILAR FAILURE ON OTHER MERCEDES BENZ ENGINES.
NHTSA complaint #10196329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,500 milesPhila, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER AND THE GAS GAUGE WAS BETWEEN A HALF AND A QUARTER AND I RAN OUT OF GAS !!! GAS GAUGE ON THESE CARS ARE DEFECTED ...
NHTSA complaint #10192551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,230 milesSaratoga Springs, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I HAVE A 2000 MERCEDES SLK230 SPORT, COPPER DESIGNO EDITION. I HAVE HAD MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR IN THE YEAR I HAVE HAD IT. THE BACK BRAKE LIGHT WAS MELTED AND BURNED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THAT. I HAD THE CAR RUNNING FOR ABOUT 1 MIN. AND 30 SECONDS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING THAT SMELLED LIKE PLASTIC BURNING, I THOUGHT FOR SURE IT COULDN'T BE MY CAR AND WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE. I HAD THE HEAT ON NOTCH NUMBER 2 BUT NOTHING WAS COMING OUT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEAT CAME ON THEN JUST CUT OFF AGAIN, I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. THE SMELL BEGAN TO GET WORSE. SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL INTO A CONVENIENT STORE PARKING LOT. AS I PULLED IN I NOTICED SMOKE SPIRALING OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD VENTS, SO NOW I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE SMOKE IS FILLING UP THE CABIN. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND POPPED THE HOOD. SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM JUST UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I RAN INSIDE THE STORE TO GET POSSIBLY SOME WATER OR SUCH FOR THE CAR. I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW OF THE STORE AND MY CAR HAD 6 FOOT FLAMES RUSHING OUT THE FRONT RIGHT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. THE STORE MANAGER AND I RAN OUT AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, AND THE FIRE DEPT. CAME AND NEW YORK STATE POLICE. THE FIREMAN DRENCHED IT WITH WATER AND PRETTY MUCH FLOODED THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE HOLE BEHIND THE FIRE WALL WAS QUITE BIG WITH THE WIRE HARNESS BEING BURNT TO A CRISP. THE FIREMAN SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE HEATER BLOWER HAD A SHORT THE WAY IT WAS ALL MELTED. I HAVE HEARD TONS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR ABOUT ELECTRICAL SHORTS, A FEW COMPLAINTS EVEN WAS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR, BUT THEY PULLED THE HEATER FUSE JUST IN TIME TO PREVENT FIRE. WHAT IF A PARENT LEFT AN INFANT IN THERE FOR A MINUTE WHILE THEY RAN IN TO PAY FOR SOMETHING , NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE PASSENGERS SEAT IS IN FLAMES, I BET SOMEONE WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS THEN!! THANK YOU, JOSH
NHTSA complaint #10189904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vista, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC SENT A SAFETY RECALL # 2006-080005. I MADE AN APPT AT MERCEDES BENZ AT KEARNY MESA, SAN DIEGO, THE SERVICE WRITER (ALFONSO) SAID THAT THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE TAIL BRAKE LIGHT IF IT FAILS, BUT THE RECALL CLEARLY STATES THAT DUE TO THE HIGH HEAT CREATED BY THE TAIL BRAKE LIGHT THE BASE OF THE LAMP SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME, THUS WHEN YOU PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL THE TAIL BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT WORK BECAUSE THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THE RECALL ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE REPLACEMENT MATERIAL IS MORE HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL BUT THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THAT THE REPLACEMENT MATERIAL IS THE SAME AS WHAT I HAVE ALREADY IN THE CAR, WHICH IS FALSE.
NHTSA complaint #10178625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TAIL LAMP FOR MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 KEEPS FAILING. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 05V-505. WHEN IS MB GOING TO HAVE A RECALL OF THIS DESIGN FAILURE?
NHTSA complaint #10163338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesAnaheim, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
MERCEDES SLK 230 BRAKE LAMP FAILURE; RELATED TO OVERHEATING AND MELTING OF PLASTIC HOLDER DUE TO POOR CONTACT BETWEEN METAL STRIPS. FAILED BRAKE LAMPS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD; DEFECTIVE PRODUCT CAN ALSO LEAD TO ARCING OF CONTACTS AND FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10157397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesRosemead, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHTS BURNS OUT ON AVERAGE OF 3 TO 4 TIMES A YEAR. I BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR BULB REPLACEMENT, BUT THE PROBLEM OCCURS A FEW WEEKS LATER. A DAYS AGO, THE PROBLEM RECUR. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD THEM FIXED IT; HOWEVER AS, I DROVE OFF THE LOT, THE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECURRING FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACE THE HOUSING TWICE. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10144622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,900 milesChicago, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
2000 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 230 WITH 14072 MILES ONLY HAD TAIL LAMP UNIT R/SIDE REPLACED DUE TO THE BULB "MELTING". ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UNSAFE, DEFECTIVE DESIGN FOR BULB TO MELT IN SOCKET. PROBLEM DEFINED AT AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP AS CAUSE: POOR FIT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MECHANICS AT SHOP WHO STATED THIS IS COMMON. WHY? NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE THERE IS A FIRE IN VEHICLE DUE TO THIS BULB PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10141616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,400 milesJacksonville, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
MY LEFT REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT FOLLOWING THE LIGHT FAILURE. THE DEALER KEPT THE ASSEMBLY. I PAID $180.51.
NHTSA complaint #10137943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesAnnapolis, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
DT: LIGHT CAME ON DASH PANEL INDICATING THERE WAS A LIGHT PROBLEM, AND DISCOVERED THERE WERE NO BRAKE LIGHTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID BECAUSE THERE WAS HEAT SO EXTENSIVE FROM BRAKE LIGHT THAT IT MELTED AND WOULD COST $1200 FOR REPAIRS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE PLAN THROUGH FORD. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE,TSB # PB8210/406 OF 1-31-05. *AK NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE BUT OWNER PLANS TO PAY FOR THIS OUT OF POCKET. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10133067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,635 milesBeaverton, OR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
WE OWN A 2000 MERCEDES SLK 230. THE LIGHT, THAT WARNS OF A LAMP FAILURE SOMEWHERE ON THE VEHICLE, KEPT COMING ON. IT WOULD NOT STAY ON ALL THE TIME HOWEVER, AND WE COULD NOT FIND WHICH LAMP WAS MALFUNCTIONING. WE CALLED THE DEALER, MERCEDES-BENZ OF WILSONVILLE, (WILSONVILLE OREGON - 503-454-5000) AND WERE TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN WHEN THE WARNING LAMP CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WHEN IT FINALLY DID, A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ON AUGUST 16TH 2004. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD US THAT THE TAIL LAMP BULBS IN BOTH TAIL LAMPS WERE ARCHING AND HAD MELTED THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. BOTH TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $360.00. THE SERVICE INVOICE STATES "28636 BULB FAILURE MIL 852 INSPECTED BULB FOUND EVIDENCE OF ARCHING BETWEEN SOCKET AND ASSEMBLY 852 R/R BOTH TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLYS/82-2310. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR, ALEX GARCIA. HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER MERCEDES VEHICLES. I ASKED HIM IF A RECALL HAD BEEN INITIATED BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THIS WAS A CONDITION THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, NEAR THE GAS TANK. HE TOLD ME THAT NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. I REQUESTED THE OLD PARTS AND WAS ASSURED BY MR. GARCIA THAT I COULD HAVE THEM. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD LEAVE THEM WITH THE SALES DEPARTMENT SO THAT I COULD PICK THEM UP THAT WEEKEND. HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY THE 21ST THE PARTS WERE NOT THERE. I WILL CALL THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY AND HOPE TO HAVE THE PARTS RETURNED TO ME. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CONDITION IS A FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. I SUSPECT THAT FAILURES IN OTHER VEHICLES WERE COVERED BY WARRANTY AND THUS NOT REPORTED. NONETHELESS I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE NOTED.
NHTSA complaint #10088345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arivaca, AZ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHMENT LOCATED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND CONSOLE IS SET TOO FAR DOWN, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR CONSUMER TO LATCH OR RELEASE BUCKLE WHEN NEEDED. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE BELT IS TOO SHORT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #859044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.