Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
125,000 miles · Dec 24, 2013
Exterior Lighting
I SEE THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING FAILURES OF REAR LIGHTS ON MERCEDES C-CLASS CARS MADE BETWEEN 2008 AND 2011 POSSIBLY CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE REAR LIGHTS (BREAK LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS) ON MY 2002 MERCEDES C230 FAILED. THE DEALER FOUND A BURNED UP ELECTRICAL CONTACT WHICH …
Read full complaint
I SEE THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING FAILURES OF REAR LIGHTS ON MERCEDES C-CLASS CARS MADE BETWEEN 2008 AND 2011 POSSIBLY CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE REAR LIGHTS (BREAK LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS) ON MY 2002 MERCEDES C230 FAILED. THE DEALER FOUND A BURNED UP ELECTRICAL CONTACT WHICH WAS REPLACED. THIS COULD BE COINCIDENCE, BUT IT COULD MEAN THAT YOUR MODEL YEAR RANGE IS TOO SMALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557164
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
THERE WAS A RECALL ON A TAIL LAMP ON THE MERCEDES SLK 230. PRIOR TO THE RECALL MY TAIL LAMP CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE ENTIRE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. WATER GOT IN TO THE TAIL LAMP AND LEAKED TO THE WIRING OF THE ERP PUMP BELOW THE TAIL LAMP IN THE TRUNK. WIRES SHORTED AS A RESULT AND ERP PUMP NOW NEEDS REPLACING. MERCEDES WILL NOT R…
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THERE WAS A RECALL ON A TAIL LAMP ON THE MERCEDES SLK 230. PRIOR TO THE RECALL MY TAIL LAMP CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE ENTIRE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. WATER GOT IN TO THE TAIL LAMP AND LEAKED TO THE WIRING OF THE ERP PUMP BELOW THE TAIL LAMP IN THE TRUNK. WIRES SHORTED AS A RESULT AND ERP PUMP NOW NEEDS REPLACING. MERCEDES WILL NOT REPLACE THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAULTY TAIL LAMP THAT CAUGHT FIRE PRIOR TO THE RECALL. HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE CORROSION NOW IN THE WIRING OF THE ERP PUMP COULD SPARK AND IGNITE THE FUEL TANK ALSO LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW THE WIRING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222476
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2002
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
WHILE TURNING VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. PROBABLE SPEED 55 - 60 MPH, MOSTLY IMPACTED ON FRONT, BUT SIDE AS WELL. NEITHER FRONT OR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH OWNER RECEIVIING HEAD INJURIED DUE TO SEAT BELT NOT HOLDING. DRIVER WAS THROWN AROUND INSIDE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8015860
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Mercedes Benz 230 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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