2003 Mercedes Benz SLK
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › SLK › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK. Newest first.
On certain passenger vehicles, failure of one of the side brake lights can occur. The base of the socket can be subject to thermal deformation over time.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This deformation can cause movement in the socket-to-bulb connection, which could lead to a loosening of the electrical contacts in the socket, and failure of the bulb to illuminate.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear lamp modules. the recall began on september 12, 2006, to approximately 8,200 owners. phase II mailing IS schedule on or about november 3, 2006, and phase III mailing IS schedule for january 2007 for the remaining owners. owners of vehicles with the updated trim (post-face lift) will get an interim notice during november 2006, asking them to schedule an appointment for rear tail lamp replacement later in 2007. however, if they experience an actual rear lamp failure before they receive that notice, they should come to their dealer immediately for a free repair. owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Owner complaints
9 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Service brakes, hydraulic
I own a 2003 mercedes SLK 230 , which brakes on it's own at all different speeds . After the car brakes to the right for a couple of second the bas/esp light comes on . I have had this happen on the highway at 60 mph (very scary). I have since had the brake switch changed , and wheel sensors and…
I own a 2003 mercedes SLK 230 , which brakes on it's own at all different speeds . After the car brakes to the right for a couple of second the bas/esp light comes on . I have had this happen on the highway at 60 mph (very scary). I have since had the brake switch changed , and wheel sensors and new battery. I have since picked my car up and no problem for the last 100 miles until today when the same thing occurred at a lower speed . Car IS back in the shop reading no codes !!!!!! I have gone to the mercedes forum and I find that this problem IS not uncommon . It seems that the yaw sensor and or lateral control sensor goes and cause the car to think it IS sliding and randomly brakes (always to the right) . All of the complaints have had their owners in a panic . This seems to be extremely dangerous . *tr
- Exterior lighting
2003 SLK 230 tail light still defective after recall repair was performed. *Tr
- Equipment · Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
The inside rear view mirror in my 2003 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 inside rear view mirror in my 2003 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 numerous documented cases of these mirrors failing in various makes and models as a result of usually from the internal fluid leaking. I contacted the oem mirror maker, and they refused to return our phone call/messages. I recently read on the maintenance blogs that magna donnelly were replacing but, stopped all of sudden. I have never had a vehicle that has ever experienced such a problem with the rear view mirror. *Tr
- Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes slk320 ( n/a). While driving at various speeds , the vehicle loses power without any warning and after the vehicle loses power all the lights illuminates on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to his residence.this has occurred 10 additional times. The…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes slk320 ( n/a). While driving at various speeds , the vehicle loses power without any warning and after the vehicle loses power all the lights illuminates on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to his residence.this has occurred 10 additional times. The dealer was contacted and they concluded that it was the K40 circuit fuse that failed. The fuse was replaced at the owners expense. The failure mileage was 74000 and current mileage was 76000.
- Visibility
The interior rearview mirror in a 2003 mercedes benz slk230 (R170) had a fluid leak. The mirror IS supposed to be a chromatic auto-dimming device. Due to the fluid leak all of the darkening agent has migrated to the center of the mirror. The mirror no longer auto dims, it creates multiple objects…
The interior rearview mirror in a 2003 mercedes benz slk230 (R170) had a fluid leak. The mirror IS supposed to be a chromatic auto-dimming device. Due to the fluid leak all of the darkening agent has migrated to the center of the mirror. The mirror no longer auto dims, it creates multiple objects due to glare and internal reflection. it IS completely unusable in it's current condition. the manufacturer of this mirror magna donnelley used to offer free replacement of these devices, which have a long track record of failing, but now no longer do. the replacement cost of the device IS approx. $200 with a $100 install charge by the dealer. *Tr
- Electrical system
Mercedes with 23,000 ignition switch will not turn. I reported the issue of intermittent problem to dealer and attempted to have it resolved while under extended warranty period. the dealer said it had not failed. well, the warranty IS gone and the failing part failed. it IS expensive and appears to be a known issue based on my discussion with other owners and complaints here. *Tr
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
I inserted the key in the ignition switch and was unable to turn the key or remove the key and the car would not start. I was left stranded in a bad section of town and had to wait for flat bed to take the car to the dealership. I had to rent a car for three days while the dealership replaced the entire ignition switch. *Tr
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Nhtsa campaign number IS 05v505000. mercedes benz USA has not provided information to correct the failure after informing me of a potential safety hazard with the tail lamp assembly in SLK motor vehicles. Subsequently both my tail lights are not functioning and causing safety hazard. dealerships contacted have no information from mbusa on how to correct the defective parts affected in the recall. *jb
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
At approx. 52,000 miles on my car, I took it to get serviced by a non mercedes dealer ship, since the warranty was out. they found the power steering leaking and the reservoir was empty. I had just taken the car in for a service three weeks earlier for warranty work, and this problem was not found. fluid was leaking around the power steering pump. *Jb
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Brake lamp failure
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 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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10030929Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection IS damaged or removed the brake components and or hardware can begin to corrode. Include all models and model years.
- 10022893Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit. Mercedes-benz model C230, C280, C350, slk280, slk350, clk350, clk550, E350, E550, cls550, S600, and sl550. Equipped with M272 engine or M273 engine. Updated 8/28/08.
Every Mercedes Benz SLK model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.