U.S. public vehicle records

2000 Mercedes Benz SLK230 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

22 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

50,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 19 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 22 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	8	36.4%
Electrical and battery issues	2	9.1%
Fuel system concerns	1	4.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights

Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights

Air Bags:Side/Window

Electrical System

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)

Exterior Lighting

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights	5
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights	3
Air Bags:Side/Window	2
Electrical System	1
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)	1
Exterior Lighting	1

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 5; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 3; Air Bags:Side/Window: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv): 1; Exterior Lighting: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2010

2011

2015

2016

2018

2024

2000: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10133067 · 2005-09-23 (September 23, 2005)

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 *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133067 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10144622 · 2005-12-07 (December 7, 2005)

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. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144622 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10178625 · 2007-01-13 (January 13, 2007)

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 M…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10178625 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10189904 · 2007-05-06 (May 6, 2007)

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. 53,230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189904 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10088345 · 2004-08-22 (August 22, 2004)

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 - [phone removed]) 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 INSPE…

Owner-reported narrative. 28,635 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088345 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

22 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

86.4%Usable mileage19 / 22 records

100.0%Valid incident date22 / 22 records

100.0%Valid filing date22 / 22 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates22 / 22 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1998	1999	2000	2001	2004
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights	1029.4% ODI 10079017 · 15,000 mi 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 … Look up ODI 10079017 at NHTSA ↗	1220.3% ODI 10059960 · 19,000 mi REARVIEW MIRROR HAS FOG INSIDE THE GLASS,MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF IT. BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO FAIL. ALSO, DASH LIGHTS FAILED. *AK Look up ODI 10059960 at NHTSA ↗	522.7% ODI 10133067 · 30,000 mi 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 *JB Look up ODI 10133067 at NHTSA ↗	722.6% ODI 10137927 · 37,000 mi YOU NEED TO INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2001 IN YOUR INVESTIGATION OF THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05051. BOTH THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN SEPT 02, WHEN THE CAR WAS OWNED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER DUE TO THIS FAILURE. I NOW HAVE ISSUES WITH THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LAMP BULB SOCKET FAILING TO RELEASE, SO I BELIEVE THE SAME THING IS OCCURRING AGAIN. THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD REALLY COVER ALL MERCEDES R170 THROUGH 2004. *JB Look up ODI 10137927 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Visibility	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1525.4% ODI 10229697 · 61,000 mi REAR VIEW MIRROR ( DONNELLY #010486) IS BLURRY AND HAS THREE DIFFERENT SHADES OF TINTING. I CAN BARELY TELL IF A VEHICLE IS BEHIND ME AND THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE ITS DISTANCE. *TR Look up ODI 10229697 at NHTSA ↗	14.5% ODI 10354374 · 88,000 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 INTE… Look up ODI 10354374 at NHTSA ↗	412.9% ODI 10250789 · 80,000 mi VEHICLE TYPE IS 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320 (R170 MODEL). THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR FAILED, LOSING ITS ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING ME TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. *TR Look up ODI 10250789 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights	38.8% ODI 10040169 · 51,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10040169 at NHTSA ↗	46.8% ODI 10120630 · 8,900 mi THERE IS A DEFECT IN 1998 - 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK MODEL CARS TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THE SOCKET WHICH HOUSES THE BULBS DOES NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THE RESULT OF THIS IS BURNED CONCTATS, MELTED BULB HOUSINGS AND BURNED OUT TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS CAN LEAD TO A FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY HUNDREDS/THOUSANDS OF SLK OWNERS TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MAUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AND WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT IT IF THE VEHICLE I… Look up ODI 10120630 at NHTSA ↗	313.6% ODI 10088345 · 28,635 mi 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 - [phone removed]) 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 INSPE… Look up ODI 10088345 at NHTSA ↗	13.2% ODI 10207936 · 34,000 mi I HAVE LESS THAN 50K MILES AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TWICE AND NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN FOR THE SAME SERVICE NEEDED. I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING IT IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION SENSORS AND TAIL LIGHT, WHICH MERCEDES DID NOT REIMBURSE FOR ORIGINAL CHARGE, JUST RE- REPLACED. NOW PROBLEMS HAPPENING WITH REAR MIRROR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS MERCEDES SHOULD STAND BY THERE PRODUCT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST FOREVER AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. … Look up ODI 10207936 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	58.5% ODI 10139157 · 26,000 mi BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE COMPLETE SOCKET NUMEROUS TIMES. EACH TIME THE SOCKET HAS MELTED. MBUSA TELLS ME THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DO NOT SEE ANY REASON TO FIX IT. EACH REPAIR RUNS ABOUT $300. I HAVE HAD MINE CHANGED NO LESS THAN 5 TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. *NM Look up ODI 10139157 at NHTSA ↗	14.5% ODI 11076461 · 129,670 mi REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION OR FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSING A POTENTIAL DANGER OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND IN TRAFFIC. Look up ODI 11076461 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	250.0% ODI 10340452 · 66,180 mi MY BLACK MERCEDES 2004, 230SLK KOMPRESSOR, L4, 2.4L, SUPERCHARGED. VIN [XXX] HAD THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE ME-SFI MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON AND WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE BEVERLY HILLS MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP WITH MISFIRING IN THE ENGINE (DUE TO THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOID AND THE MASS ALRFLOW SENOR (O2 SENOR) WAS DAMAGED, WITH A MAJOR OIL LEAK. I BELIEVE THAT OIL HAS LEAKED INTO THE MASS AIR FLOW SENOR FROM WICKING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE SOLENOID 111-051-01-77-05 AND STARTER LINE 271-150-27--33, PLUG 111-997-01… Look up ODI 10340452 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	722.6% ODI 10207936 · 34,000 mi I HAVE LESS THAN 50K MILES AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TWICE AND NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN FOR THE SAME SERVICE NEEDED. I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING IT IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION SENSORS AND TAIL LIGHT, WHICH MERCEDES DID NOT REIMBURSE FOR ORIGINAL CHARGE, JUST RE- REPLACED. NOW PROBLEMS HAPPENING WITH REAR MIRROR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS MERCEDES SHOULD STAND BY THERE PRODUCT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST FOREVER AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. … Look up ODI 10207936 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	35.1% ODI 10371727 1999 SLK230 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER STATES CLEAR COAT WAS PEELING ON SEVERAL AREAS OF VEHICLE TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE BODY SHOP TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ, BECAUSE THE PAINT JOB DONE ON THE VEHICLE WAS POORLY DONE. JB Look up ODI 10371727 at NHTSA ↗	14.5% ODI 10838535 · 100,000 mi INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR: LIQUID WITHIN THE MIRROR IS OBSCURING MORE THAN 75% OF THE VIEWING AREA, MAKING THE MIRROR USELESS AND DANGEROUS. Look up ODI 10838535 at NHTSA ↗	26.5% ODI 10207936 · 34,000 mi I HAVE LESS THAN 50K MILES AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TWICE AND NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN FOR THE SAME SERVICE NEEDED. I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING IT IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION SENSORS AND TAIL LIGHT, WHICH MERCEDES DID NOT REIMBURSE FOR ORIGINAL CHARGE, JUST RE- REPLACED. NOW PROBLEMS HAPPENING WITH REAR MIRROR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS MERCEDES SHOULD STAND BY THERE PRODUCT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST FOREVER AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. … Look up ODI 10207936 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting	12.9% ODI 10730611 · 125,000 mi 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 8/2… Look up ODI 10730611 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	14.5% ODI 11598585 · 50,000 mi 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 failur… Look up ODI 11598585 at NHTSA ↗	26.5% ODI 10450673 · 10,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 230. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A WARNING LIGHT SIGNALING THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V505000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 03/15/12 *BF Look up ODI 10450673 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10819606 · 65,000 mi BOUGHT CAR WITH 60000 MILES AND AFTER 3 YEARS RIGHT SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. REPLACED BULB AND ADAPTER BUT ALSO HAD TO BEND ADAPTER CONNECTOR PRONGS FOR BETTER CONTACT. SIX MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM AND REPLACED WHOLE RIGHT SIDE UNIT. SOME TIME LATER SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER SIDE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID RECALL HAD BEEN DONE. MB OFFERED A $1000 TOWARDS NEW CAR. (FUNNY) REPAIRED WITH SAME ITEM AND SAME DEFECT, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS RIGHT FOR MB TO GET AWAY WITH. Look up ODI 10819606 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	14.5% ODI 11076461 · 129,670 mi REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION OR FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSING A POTENTIAL DANGER OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND IN TRAFFIC. Look up ODI 11076461 at NHTSA ↗	412.9% ODI 10475087 · 65,600 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE LOCKED AND THE ESP WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,600. UPDATED 10/16/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT WAS IN THE YAW… Look up ODI 10475087 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights	Too few reports for a range	30,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10133067 · 30,000 mi 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 JB Look up ODI 10133067 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10144622 · 50,000 mi 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. NM Look up ODI 10144622 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10157397 · 26,000 mi 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. *JB Look up ODI 10157397 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights	Too few reports for a range	28,635 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10088345 · 28,635 mi 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 - [phone removed]) 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 INSPE… Look up ODI 10088345 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10137943 · 40,400 mi MY LEFT REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT FOLLOWING THE LIGHT FAILURE. THE DEALER KEPT THE ASSEMBLY. I PAID $180.51.JB Look up ODI 10137943 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10141616 · 13,900 mi 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. JB Look up ODI 10141616 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Side/Window	Too few reports for a range	25,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10229196 · 45,000 mi 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 CURRE… Look up ODI 10229196 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10253209 · 5,000 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 BROK… Look up ODI 10253209 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	129,670 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11076461 · 129,670 mi REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION OR FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSING A POTENTIAL DANGER OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND IN TRAFFIC. Look up ODI 11076461 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Too few reports for a range	53,230 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10189904 · 53,230 mi 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 … Look up ODI 10189904 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	65,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10201043 · 65,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10201043 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)	Too few reports for a range	57,848 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10196329 · 57,848 mi 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… Look up ODI 10196329 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	50,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11598585 · 50,000 mi 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 failur… Look up ODI 11598585 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2001: 3 complaints · 2004: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2001	1	2	3
2004	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2001	29	1	1
2004	4	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights	Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights	Air Bags:Side/Window	Electrical System	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)	Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags:Side/Window	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Exterior Lighting	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 9.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 61,424 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10196329 · 57,848 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10196329 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10201043 · 65,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10201043 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 4.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10178625

Look up ODI 10178625 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 4.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 50,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11598585 · 50,000 mi

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 failur…

Look up ODI 11598585 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b