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1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 31.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 26 unknown

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.

  • Visibility. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

59 reports
115,000 miles · Apr 5, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

THIS VEHICLE STOPS DEAD IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL IT SITS SEVERAL MINUTES OR MORE. IT DOES NOT DO THIS EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, WE FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER MODELS OF MERCEDES. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE NHTSA BU…

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THIS VEHICLE STOPS DEAD IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL IT SITS SEVERAL MINUTES OR MORE. IT DOES NOT DO THIS EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, WE FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER MODELS OF MERCEDES. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE NHTSA BUT THEY WILL NOT RESPOND AS PROMISED. WE HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS MERCEDES DEALERS AND THEY OFFER NO SOLUTION EXCEPT TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WILL CHECK IT OUT FOR A BIG PRICE. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE CAR HAS TO MALFUNCTION WHILE THEY ARE CHECKING IT AND IT DOES NOT MALFUNCTION EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE CARS AS THIS IS A COMMON DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WE CANNOT FEEL SAFE AS LONG AS THIS CAR SHUTS DOWN WITH NO WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #11406379

120,000 miles · Mar 1, 2021
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10- 15 MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10- 15 MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF AKRON (1361 E MARKET ST, AKRON, OH 44305, (330)733-7511) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11398425

125,000 miles · Feb 27, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10957410

160,000 miles · Jan 9, 2015
Air BagsPower TrainCrashInjury

I,, WAS AT THE INTERSECTION OF I35 AND SCHERTZ PARKWAY, IN SCHERTZ. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I SAW NO VEHICLES ENTERING INTO Y LANE, SO I PROCEEDED TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION. I FELT A BIG HIT, AND AT FIRST I COULDNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IFELT MY FACE BLEEDING AND HURTING. WHEN EMS ARRIVED THEY GAVE ME FIRST AIDE FOR MY…

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I,, WAS AT THE INTERSECTION OF I35 AND SCHERTZ PARKWAY, IN SCHERTZ. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I SAW NO VEHICLES ENTERING INTO Y LANE, SO I PROCEEDED TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION. I FELT A BIG HIT, AND AT FIRST I COULDNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IFELT MY FACE BLEEDING AND HURTING. WHEN EMS ARRIVED THEY GAVE ME FIRST AIDE FOR MY BURN. I, TOOK PAIN MEDICINE AND WENT TO SEE MY DERMATOLOGIST FOR TREATMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671221

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2012
Tires

1999 SLK230 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ALMOST FROM THE DAY HE PURCHASED THE TIRES, ONE OF THEM HAD A SLOW LEAK. HIS MECHANIC CHECKED IT A NUMBER OF TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET THE TIRE REPLACED UNDER …

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1999 SLK230 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ALMOST FROM THE DAY HE PURCHASED THE TIRES, ONE OF THEM HAD A SLOW LEAK. HIS MECHANIC CHECKED IT A NUMBER OF TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET THE TIRE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NO ONE WANTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10473406

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2011
Visibility

REAR VIEW MIRROR STAY AT NIGHT VIEW , AND THE DRIVER MIRROR IS HALF & HALF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428360

95,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Visibility

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 VI…

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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 ODI #10423897

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2010
Unknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #10371727

78,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Visibility

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 FLU…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360522

30,000 miles · May 27, 2010
Visibility

MY 1999 MERCEDES SLK 230 INTERIOR AND DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR HAVE DISCOLORED TILL THEY ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO USE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332507

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

2

PE05051 · Brake Lamp Failure

Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Dec 2, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

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 A MORE HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL AND ENHANCED SOCKET HOLDER DESIGN TO WITHSTAND THE HEAT INSIDE THE REAR LAMP MODULE.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V505 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

PE99055 · Refueling Spit Back

Opened Aug 30, 1999 · Closed Nov 17, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

Two owners of the subject vehicles have had trouble refueling the vehicle due to excessive click-offs and spit-backs.Both owners have reported being completel soaked when gasoline sprayed from the tank.