2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK recalls

Most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK problems

Problem areas named in the 9 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	3
Exterior Lighting	2
Visibility	2
Steering	1
Equipment	1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	1

What owners report

2011-08-22, 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 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

2010-09-03, Exterior Lighting
2003 SLK 230 TAIL LIGHT STILL DEFECTIVE AFTER RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. *TR

2010-06-29, Equipment
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 T

2010-06-29, 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 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.

2010-06-07, 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 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

2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK questions

Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK: Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK?

Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (3), Exterior Lighting (2), Visibility (2).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.