NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230 Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230 right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 31 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230.

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2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230 owner complaints

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230, describing incidents dated September 5, 2002 to July 31, 2019.

Most-cited components

Exterior Lighting 10 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 7 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 7 complaints
Service Brakes 6 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 3 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints

Of the 31 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11241028 · Filed August 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE ESC ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED…
ODI #11208370 · Filed May 17, 2019
THE CAR ENGAGES THE BRAKES ON IT'S OWN WHEN I'M DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH.
ODI #11150316 · Filed November 9, 2018
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN I START UP MY VEHICLE AN INDICATOR FOR A LIGHT OUT APPEARS ON MY DASH. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES FOR A RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BEING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB NUMEROUS TIMES. I WAS RECOMMENDED TO LOOK ON YOUR WEB SIGHT AND I SAW THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED…

Read all 31 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE05-051: BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
Closed December 2, 2005
- Recall 05V-505

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230 right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

31 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes

ODI #11241028

Incident: July 31, 2019 · Filed: August 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE ESC ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Service Brakes

ODI #11208370

Incident: May 17, 2019 · Filed: May 17, 2019

THE CAR ENGAGES THE BRAKES ON IT'S OWN WHEN I'M DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11150316

Incident: October 13, 2018 · Filed: November 9, 2018

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN I START UP MY VEHICLE AN INDICATOR FOR A LIGHT OUT APPEARS ON MY DASH. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES FOR A RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BEING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB NUMEROUS TIMES. I WAS RECOMMENDED TO LOOK ON YOUR WEB SIGHT AND I SAW THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED CAMPAIGN ID 05V505000 ON MY MAKE/MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER WHEN I PUT IN MY VIN NUMBER IT PRODUCED ZERO RECALLS. HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE HAS EVER HAD THE RECALL ISSUE CORRECTED? ALSO, WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THE ISSUE RECTIFIED?

Vehicle Speed Control; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11140508

Incident: October 2, 2018 · Filed: October 15, 2018

HE ENGINE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO COAST TO A CORNER AND GET OFF THE MAIN STREET, THERE WAS NO WARNING.I HAD TO LEAVE THIS CAR FOR ONE DAY TO FIND IT TOWED BY POLICE , AND HAD TO CALL AND GET IT THE NEXT DAY PAYED 300$ AND GET IT TOWED AGAIN TO A MECANIC PAYED 85$ AND 100$ FOR CHECKING. THE MECANIC TOLD ME IT LOOK LIKE IT HAVE BIG PROBLEM, I DICEDED TO SEE A PROFITIONEL AND SO I HAD TO PAY AN OTHER TOWING FEE OF 80$ AND AN OTHER 110$ FOR CHECKING TO FIND OUT THAT THE HALL ENGINE JUST DAMAGED AND TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW ONE THAT WILL COST ME 3500$.

Service Brakes

ODI #11065704

Incident: January 29, 2018 · Filed: January 29, 2018

THE MERCEDES BENZ SLK 230 2001 MODEL BRAKES RANDOMLY WITH THE FRONT TIRES LEFT OR RIGHT OR BOTH, ENGINE PERFORMANCE GOES DOWN TO SUPER SLOW FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND. THE CAR TURNS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND SLOWS DOWN ABRUPTLY AND ONLY DUE TO MY FAST REACTION I AM ABLE TO AVOID TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ! THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AND ANY SPEED AND ANY PLACE. THE LAST TIME AT ABOUT 1MPH ON A PARKING LOT, BEFORE AT ABOUT 75MPH ON THE INTERSTATE !

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #10914998

Incident: August 3, 2016 · Filed: October 9, 2016

MY VEHICLE WOULD WOULD SUDDENLY COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. IT WOULD DO THIS AT ANY SPEED. IT WAS HAPPENING EVERYDAY. WE HAD TO STOP DRIVING IT. WE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THE YAW SENSOR WAS BAD. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. IT IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A DEADLY ACCIDENT. THE COST TO REPAIR WAS $1000.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #10899405

Incident: August 29, 2016 · Filed: August 30, 2016

THE RIGHT WHEEL STARTED AUTOMATICALLY BRAKING, WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING, WHEN I WAS TRAVELLING AT 55 MPH. IT ALMOST CAUSED TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. I FELT FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NOT OTHER CARS AROUND ME, THEN THE BAS/ESP LIGHT WILL CAME ON. IT FELT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #10567829

Incident: February 26, 2014 · Filed: March 7, 2014

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. *TR

Service Brakes

ODI #10475087

Incident: September 10, 2012 · Filed: September 11, 2012

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 SENSOR. UPDATED 10/23/2012 *JS

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10450673

Incident: July 1, 2007 · Filed: March 7, 2012

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

Check your 2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercedes Benz SLK230 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mercedes Benz VIN