34 of the
190 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz SLK230
are about the glass, mirrors and wipers —
18% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
34
Complaints
18%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year
VEHICLE TYPE IS 2001 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.
NHTSA complaint #10567829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #10423897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2001 MERCEDES SLK230 (R170 MODEL) IS AN SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT, CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING FEATURE TO FAIL. SO BASICALLY, I'M BLINDED BY APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS WHENEVER I DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE ONLY FIX IS TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY AND LOSE MY REAR VIEW (WHICH AFTER ALL IS THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR!) I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS. I CONTACTED THE OEM MIRROR MAKER AND THEIR ONLY SUGGESTION WAS TO HAVE MY DEALER INSTALL A NEW MIRROR AT A COST OF $300-400. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10365619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10360522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10328400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10315993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10279068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10262061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10256917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SELF DIMMING MIRROR IS DEFECTIVE AND PERMANENTLY INOPERABLE. UPON RESEARCH, IT IS A CONSTANT, COMMON, AND ACTUALLY SOMEWHAT PREDICTABLE AS FAR AS THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING. MANY HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THEM RIGHT AWAY AS THERE IS NO MANUAL OPERATION OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR. AS A RESULT, YOU MUST RELY ON SIDEVIEW MIRRORS ONLY AND A FULL OVER 90 DEGREE HEAD TURN WHICH IS IN ITSELF A SAFETY HAZARD BOTH PHYSICALLY FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS AND A DRIVING HAZARD AS YOUR ATTENTION IS COMPLETELY DIVERTED FROM THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10253974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 (R170 MODEL) IS A SELF-DIMMING MIRROR. THE MIRROR CONTAINS A FLUID WHICH IS LEAKING OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO DIM 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 THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING. THE OEM MIRROR MAKER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND STEVE CHENLO, FROM MAGNA DONNELLY (HIS DIRECT LINE IS 616-786-7495), REFUSED TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM. HIS ADVICE WAS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER MIRROR AT APPROXIMATELY $200, AND PAY FOR INSTALLATION, WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY $100 FROM THE DEALERSHIP. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MAGNA DONNELLY WAS REPLACING THESE MIRRORS FOR FREE BUT STOPPED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.
NHTSA complaint #10254058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10251914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10250802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10250803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10250898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.