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: 4 of 5 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.
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
THE HEADLINER/CEILING OF THE CAR IS FALLING APART. PARTICULARLY THE CLOTH UNDER THE SUNROOF ALL CAME OFF WITH THE ADHESIVENESS IS LOST AND DIRECTLY FALLS ONTO ONES'S FACE WHILE DRIVING AND IT COULD BE FATAL. MERCEDES DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE BUT DID NOT AUTHORIZE A COVERED REPAIR. THIS IS REAL SAFETY CONCERN AND THERE CAN B…
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THE HEADLINER/CEILING OF THE CAR IS FALLING APART. PARTICULARLY THE CLOTH UNDER THE SUNROOF ALL CAME OFF WITH THE ADHESIVENESS IS LOST AND DIRECTLY FALLS ONTO ONES'S FACE WHILE DRIVING AND IT COULD BE FATAL. MERCEDES DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE BUT DID NOT AUTHORIZE A COVERED REPAIR. THIS IS REAL SAFETY CONCERN AND THERE CAN BE CHOKING OR OTHER UNDESIRED DISTURBANCE WITH THE HANGING HEADLINER PART WHILE DRIVING. THE ADHESIVE MATERIALS EXPOSED AND THE TINY PARTICLES COULD BE INHALED INTO LUNGS, WHICH COULD BE OTHER UNDESIRED DAMAGE STEMMING FROM THE FALLING HEADLINER CLOTH. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND OPERATED THE SUNROOF OPENING. THE HEADLINER CLOTH LANDED ON MY FACE AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND TAKE IT TO SAFETY AND TEMPORARILY HELD THE CLOTH IN PLACE.
NHTSA ODI #11351233
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.
2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year