1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

VEHICLE TYPE IS 1999 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

THIS IS A REPORT ABOUT UNUSUAL FOGGING UP OF ALL VEHICLE WINDOWS IF THE A/C IS SWITCHED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE WITHOUT A/C BEING ON ALL THE TIME OR HAVING TO OPEN WINDOWS DUE TO LACK OF VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. IF, FOR SOME REASON, THE A/C MALFUNCTIONS WHILE DRIVING, THIS COULD POSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED QUICKLY. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENS IF ONE DRIVES WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL ON RECYCLE INSTEAD OF ALLOWING FRESH AIR IN COLD CLIMATE. BUT IN THIS CASE, IT IS FOGGING UP REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE/HUMIDITY OUTSIDE AND EVEN WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL IS NOT ON RECYCLE MODE. THE CAR HAS A FRESH/RECIRC FLAP INSIDE THE DASHBOARD AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED BY A FLAP ACTUATOR. IF THIS PART FAILS, AS I SUSPECT IT HAS HAPPENED, THEN THE FLAP CAN GET STUCK IN RECIRC MODE WHICH NO FRESH AIR WILL EVER ENTER THE CAR WHEN WINDOWS ARE CLOSED. EVEN IF A/C IS ON TO PREVENT FOGGING, DRIVING WITH NO FRESH AIR COMING IN CAN BE DANGEROUS AS CARBON DIOXIDE BUILDS UP INSIDE FROM BREATHING LEADING TO SLEEPINESS IN THE DRIVER (WHICH IS WHY DRIVING FOR LONG WITH RECIRC AIR IS NOT RECOMMENDED). THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS A SILENT MALFUNCTION, AND OTHER THAN THE FOGGING PROBLEM, THERE IS NO OTHER INDICATION. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. BUT I CAN RELIABLY REPRODUCE THIS WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF DRIVING WITH A/C OFF. THERE IS NO RECOURSE LEFT FOR ME TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED A

HELLO, THIS IS A PRE-EMPTIVE REPORT OF A PROBLEM WITH A COMPONENT IN 1998-2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 ROADSTERS. THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT HAS MANY SYMPTOMS BUT ONE SERIOUS SYMPTOM IS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS. I AM HOPING THAT YOU DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO WAIT FOR CRASHES AND DEATHS BEFORE YOU INVESTIGATE. I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THE DOCUMENTED PROBLEM HERE AND SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND ASK THE MANUFACTURER TO ADDRESS IT. THE PROBLEM ARISES FROM A POOR DESIGN/MANUFACTURING OF SOLDERING ON A K40 RELAY MODULE WHICH IS AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT AND PART OF THE ELECTRONICS OF THE CAR THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE OPERATION. CERTAIN SOLDERED POINTS HAVE A TENDENCY TO GET CORRODED/BURNT OUT OVER TIME THAT AFFECTS THE ENGINE OPERATIONS. THE THREE PICTURES BELOW SHOW THE AFFECTED PART, THE PCB INSIDE AND A CLOSEUP OF THE SOLDERED JOINTS THAT SHOW THE PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.OPENPRESENCE.ORG/SLK/K40-1.JPG HTTP://WWW.OPENPRESENCE.ORG/SLK/K40-2.JPG HTTP://WWW.OPENPRESENCE.ORG/SLK/K40-3.JPG THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND WHILE THE OED THROWS UP REPEATABLE CODES ONCE THIS PART STARTS TO DETERIORATE - P1420, P1236, P1235, AND P1525, THE MB DEALER SERVICE CENTERS HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT THESE CODES AND THEY TELL CUSTOMERS THAT IT IS UNDEFINED AND PROBABLY DUE TO LOW BATTER VOLTAGE AND SEND THEM WITH THIS PROBLEM STILL THERE UNTIL THE PROBLEM GETS BIG. IF THE CUSTOMER IS LUCKY, THEN IT JUST RESULTS IN A STARTING PRO

THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 1999 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 MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING. THE LEAK DISCOLOR THE MIRROR WHICH MAKE VISIBILITY POOR. *TR

MY INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS FAILED. THERE IS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE FLUID IN THE MIRROR, WHICH CAUSES THE AUTOMATIC SELF-DIMMING, HAS LEAKED OUT. THE MIRROR NOW FAILS TO PROVIDE DIMMING FOR REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN A BLINDED DRIVER OR NON-USE; BOTH ELIMINATING REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. THE ELECTROCHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRRORS ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN MY 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230, MODEL R170. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THE EXACT MIRRORS FAILING IN THE SAME WAY. THE MIRROR MANUFACTURE, MAGNA DONNELLY, WAS REPLACING THESE MIRRORS FOR FREE UNDER SOME KIND OF WARRANTY PROGRAM IN THE PAST, BUT STOPPED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT THEIR WARRANTY DEPARTMENT DIRECT NUMBER (616-786-7495) NOW HAS A RECORDED MESSAGE DIRECTING PEOPLE TO ANOTHER WEB SITE THAT SELLS DISCOUNTED REPLACEMENT MIRRORS. *TR

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FAIL AND LEAKING. OEM NEED TO REPLACE ALL THE MERCEDES REAR VIEW MIRROR ASAP. *TR

THE LH SIDE VIEW MIRROR IN MY 1999 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 BE SMOKEY WHICH YOU CAN NOW BARELY SEE OUT OF AND 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. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING. *TR

IN THE RESENT MONTH I NOTICED MY REARVIEW MIRROR ON THE INSIDE TO APPEAR TO BE LEAKING. IT ALSO HAS STOPPED DIMMING. EVERYTHING I SEE FROM MY MIRROR APPEARS VERY FOGGY AND HARD TO SEE. IT DIFFICULT TO BACK UP LOOKING THROUGH IT. THE MIRROR NEVER WORKS PROPERLY SINCE THIS "LEAKING" HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM YET. THE OEM MIRROR IS $180 AT THE MERCEDES DEALER. *TR

VEHICLE TYPE IS 1999 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

VEHICLE TYPE IS 1999 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

1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS A 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

VEHICLE TYPE IS 1999 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

REAR VIEW MIRROR ( DONNELLY #010486) IS BLURRY AND HAS THREE DIFFERENT SHADES OF TINTING. I CAN BARELY TELL IF A VEHICLE IS BEHIND ME AND THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE ITS DISTANCE. *TR

FOR MY SLK 230 1999 , SPORT PACKAGE, THE RED AND BLACK INTERIORS, FADE AWAY CONSTANTLY , THE RED PAINT ON DASH AND CENTER CONSOLE IS VERY DELICATE, IT WILL SCRATCH ALL THE WAY DEEP ENOUGH TO SEE THE BLACK ORIGINAL COLOR OF THE SAME... CARDAN JOINTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOUR TIMES AND KEEPS BREAKING , I HAVE A BRAND NEW ONE IN MY TRUNK BECAUSE THE 4TH ONE IS ALREADY BROKEN...THEN THE ASR LIGHT TURNS ON" AVOIDING FOR THE ASR SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY, CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS ON WET ROAD.. I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND ALMOST TOTALED MY SLK230... *TR

1999 MERCEDES SLK 230 WITH A SAFETY RECALL CUSTOMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS**CC THE DEALER DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL AFTER BEING TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE. RECALL # 05V505000. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS. THE MERCEDES MECHANIC REPLACED THE LIGHTS AT THE CONTACTS HOME. PRIOR TO REPLACING THE LIGHTS PER THE RECALL, THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING. HOWEVER, THE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO ADDRESS THE FAILURES AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE CONTACT TALKED TO THE MANAGER OF MERCEDES AND HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AT GAINING ASSISTANCE. *AK

SAFETY RECALL SLK-CLASS REPLACE BRAKE LAMP BULB SOCKETS**NAR**CC THE RECALL DESCRIBED THE NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP BULB SOCKETS TO ENSURE THE TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER LOCAL MB DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT MERCEDES BENZ CENTRAL SUPPLIER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE PARTS NEEDED. *NM

TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS WERE DAMAGED. THEY HAD WATER MARKS AND CRACKS , THUS LOWERING HER VISIBILITY. THE CONTACTWAS NOT CLEAR AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE.*AK

TL* - THE CONTACT FIXED THE TAIL LIGHTS ON HER CAR, AND THEN RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL ON HER TAIL LIGHTS. CONTACT PAID ALMOST $500.00 TO HAVE HER TAIL LIGHTS REPAIRED, AND WAS ONLY REIMBURSED HALF OF THAT. THE CONTACT WANTS TO KNOW IF SHE CAN GET ENTIRE MONEY BACK. SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 2006-080005.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BULB WAS REPLACED, BUT IMMEDIATELY BURNED OUT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V505000, REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER BEING ALERTED THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V505000, REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT WHO REFLECTED NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - *NM

RE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 05V-505. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED IN A LETTER TO NHTSA THAT IT WOULD START OWNER NOTIFICATION NO SOONER THAN SECOND QUARTER OF 2006. IT IS NOW THIRD QUARTER 2006 AND WHEN ASKED, THE MANUFACTURER STILL SAYS THERE ARE NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO PROVIDE AN UPDATED SCHEDULE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE SOCKET BURNED OUT AND WHILE PLACING THE BULB IN THE SOCKET, THE DRIVER SIDE SOCKET BURNED OUT AS WELL. BOTH BRAKE LIGHT SOCKETS ARE BEING REPLACED. UPDATED 04/11/06. *JB

BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE COMPLETE SOCKET NUMEROUS TIMES. EACH TIME THE SOCKET HAS MELTED. MBUSA TELLS ME THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DO NOT SEE ANY REASON TO FIX IT. EACH REPAIR RUNS ABOUT $300. I HAVE HAD MINE CHANGED NO LESS THAN 5 TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. *NM

BRAKE LIGHTS BURN OUT FREQUENTLY ON MY 1999 MERCEDES SLK 230. LIGHT SOCKETS BURN WITH DISCOLORATION AND PLASTIC MELTS AT THE SOCKET AND CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE REAR OF THE TAILLIGHT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE BURNED SOCKET FROM THE FIXTURE. THE INTENT OF THE DESIGN IS TO USE FINGER PRESSURE TO TWIST THE SOCKET OUT. DUE TO THE MELTING IT REQUIRES THE USE OF A WRENCH THAT THEN DAMAGES THE SOCKET SOMETIMES TO AN UNUSABLE CONDITION REQUIRING REPLACEMENT AT OWNER COST. DASH "BULB OUT" WARNING LIGHT IS TOO DIM TO NOTICE AND HIDDEN FROM VIEW BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. BULB OUT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES SOMETIMES WHEN THERE ARE NO LIGHTS BURNED OUT SO THIS MAKES IT USELESS TO DETERMINE WHAT BULB IS ACTUALLY OUT IF ANY. MY CAR WAS IN THE MERCEDES SHOP FOR 30 DAYS AND RETURNED TO ME WITH THE COMMENT ''CONDITION COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED'' IN REGARDS TO THE TAILLIGHT. ALL THEY HAD TO DO IS REMOVE IT TO SEE THE BURNT CONDITION BUT THEY CHOSE TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE A HANDFUL OF SOCKETS TO KEEP ON HAND AS THEY NEED REPLACING EVERY MONTH OR SO. I EVEN PURCHASED A NEW SET OF TAILLIGHTS, THE ENTIRE HOUSING AND NEW SOCKETS THINKING THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT THEY BURNED OUT A MONTH LATER. I HAVE TURNED THE TAILLIGHT OVER TO NHTSA. *JB

NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05051 REAR BRAKE LIGHT SOCKETS MELT/FAIL. *JB

MY LEFT TAIL LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, A FEW TIMES BEFORE, DON'T REALLY NOTICE IT UNTIL SOMEONE TELLS ME. I HAD IT HAPPEN TODAY, ALL I COULD DO IS REPLACE THE BULB BUT ACCORDING TO OTHER PEOPLE, EVENTUALLY THE SOCKET MELTS. *JB

I HAVE A MERCEDES-BENZ 1999 SLK 230. THE BULB SOCKET FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT LAMPS IN THE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS FAILING AS THE CONTACTS DO NOT MAKE PROPER CONTACT DURING VIBRATIONS LEADING TO ELECTRIC ARCING AT THE CONTACTS. THE ARCING BUILDS UP DEPOSITS THAT BREAK THE CONNECTIVITY LEADING TO INOPERATIVE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS (A SAFETY ISSUE) AND HEATS UP THE AREA MELTING THE PLASTIC AND FUSING THE SOCKET TO THE ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD HERE BECAUSE OF THE OPEN ELECTRIC ARCING. RELATED TO OPEN CASE PE05051. THE BULB ITSELF DOES NOT FAIL AS CURRENTLY DESCRIBED IN THAT OPEN INVESTIGATION BUT THE CONTACT DOES. MB'S SOLUTION IS TO JUST REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY WITH THE SAME DEFECT WHICH FAILS AGAIN AFTER A WHILE. *JB

I OWN A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. ON DECEMBER 18, 2004 I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP (FRIENDLY MERCEDES BENZ IN WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY) DUE TO A BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. DEALER INFORMED ME OF A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT OVERHEATING CAUSING THE ASSEMBLY TO MELT AND SHORT OUT THE LIGHT. MERCEDES WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT COST OF $269.50. REGARDLESS OF COST, THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE EVIDENTLY EXISTS. I READ YESTERDAY THAT AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPENED IN THIS VERY MATTER SO I THOUGHT I'D PROVIDE YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS TYPE OF OCCURRENCE. *NM

WHEN IN TRAFFIC AND IDLING, ESPECIALLY SUMMER WEATHER, THE CAR STALLS OCASSIONALLY AND WON'T RESTART. MOST TIMES, WHEN DRIVING TO A DESTINATION, TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, RUNNING AN ERRAND, AND RETURNING TO START THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE WON'T START. THE PANEL LIGHTS ALL LIGHT UP, A CLICK, BUT NO CRANK OR TURNING OVER. AFTER LETTING THE ENGINE COOL DOWN OR SIT FOR A WHILE AND/OR PLAYING W/ THE KEY / IGNITION, THE ENGINE EVENTUALLY TURNS OVER. I'VE SPENT NEARLY $3,000 IN REPAIRS AND THE DEALER CANNOT ISOLATE THE PROBLEM. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED EXCEPT FOR THE STARTER AND ELECTRONIC IGNITION MODULE (IF ONE EXISTS). I'M EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED. THE CAR HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC NUMEROUS TIMES CAUSING TRAFFIC JAMS IN MANHATTAN, THE LINCOLN TUNNEL, AND I CAN'T TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF TIMES I RECEIVE NEGATIVE COMMENTS RE MERCEDES BENZ SUPPOSING TO BE A RELIABLE EXPENSIVE CAR. THIS IS MY 5TH MERCEDES, AND I'M ABOUT TO GIVE UP PERMANENTLY. IN THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE SPENT ALMOST $9,000 SERVICE AND REPAIRS AND AM FED UP AND FEEL AS IF I'M BEING SUCKED DRY.

THERE IS A DEFECT IN 1998 - 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK MODEL CARS TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THE SOCKET WHICH HOUSES THE BULBS DOES NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THE RESULT OF THIS IS BURNED CONCTATS, MELTED BULB HOUSINGS AND BURNED OUT TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS CAN LEAD TO A FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY HUNDREDS/THOUSANDS OF SLK OWNERS TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MAUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AND WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT IT IF THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRENTY. THE DEFECT, IF DISCOVERED BY THE OWNER PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION IS CORRECTED, BUT IF THE DEFECT IS NOT DISCOVERED IN WARRANTY THE MANUFACTURER WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. SUBSEQUENT (POST 2001) MODELS HAVE HAD THIS DEFECT CORRECTED BUT THE PRE 2001 VEHICLES STILL HAVE THIS DEFECT.

1999 MB SLK230 - TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY SHORTS OUT AND BRAKE LIGHT FAILS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, THE MOST RECENT INVOLVING BOTH TAILLIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME! THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM IN THE DEFECTIVE PART NOW IN 5 YEARS. THEY KEEP REPLACING A DEFECTIVE PART WITH A DEFECTIVE PART! *NM

DRIVERS SIDE AUTO DIMMING SIDEVIEW MIRROR AND INSIDE AUTO DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR HAVE FAILED. THEY ARE NO LONGER REFLECTIVE AND ARE PERMANENTLY DARK. *JB

DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILS. TOOK TO MERCEDES SEVERAL TIMES. THEY TELL ME IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MERCEDES SLK 230 FROM 1998 TO PRESENT. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES IS WAITING FOR A DEATH TO OCCUR AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM WHICK WILL CERTAINLY OCCUR IN TIME.*AK

REARVIEW MIRROR HAS FOG INSIDE THE GLASS,MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF IT. BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO FAIL. ALSO, DASH LIGHTS FAILED. *AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS STARTED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER THE DASH. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. *AK *SCC *NLM

I'VE HAD A DOZEN BULBS/FUSES BLOW DURING THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE. I'VE OWNED OTHER VEHICLES THAT NEVER BLEW A SINGLE BULB OR FUSE OVER THEIR LIFETIME. I JUST WONDER IF THIS IS A WAY FOR MERCEDES BENZ TO INCREASE SERVICE REVENUES. THEY WANT OVER $100 TO REPLACE EACH BULB.

MERCEDES-BENZ CAN NOT FIX WINDOW LEAKING, COMING OFF TRACK. *AK

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND REAR EXTERIOR LICENSE LIGHT ARE ON SAME FUSE. FUSE KEEPS BLOWING. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY. *AK *SLC

HARD TOP CONVERTIBLE WILL NOT OPEN -- THE MICRON CHIP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BY THE DEALER. HARD TOP CONVERTIBLE SQUEAKING NOISE -- I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM; ONLY OCCURS WHEN CAR SITS IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AT 85 DEGREES OR HOTTE( DOT NUMBER: )