Model year record

1998 Mercedes-Benz Slk recalls & problems

The 1998 Mercedes-Benz Slk has 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electronic stability control (esc) (1 complaint).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints2filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingNov 1, 2005

Brake lights

Recall 05V50500069,278 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electronic stability control (esc)	1	1	—
Electrical system	1	1	—
Tires	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires
ON 02/02/2009 I HAD MY VEHICLE, A 1998 MERCEDES-BENZ 230SLK SERVICED FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. DURING THAT SERVICE THE SERVICEMAN INSPECTED MY TIRES AND BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THEY WERE BALD. THE TIRES IN QUESTION WERE THE THIRD SET OF DUNLOPS THAT THIS AUTO HAS HAD, THE FIRST BEING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHICH I HAD SUCCESS WITH SO I WAS A LOYAL DUNLOP CUSTOMER. WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT I NATURALLY PURCHASED THE SAME DUNLOP TIRES. TO MY SHOCK, THEY EXHIBITED PREMATURE TIRE WEAR WITHIN SIX-TO TWELVE MONTHS OF PURCHASE. ALTHOUGH I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD BE REPLACED FOR FREE BECAUSE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE, DUNLOP DID NOT MAKE GOOD ON SUCH OFFER OR WARRANTY. ON 10/22/2007 I PURCHASED…
Feb 2, 2009 · 17,584 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)1 injury
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ALL THE SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF CAR WAS SHOT OUT AND COULD NOT OPERATE THE BRAKE STEERING AND CAR WAS TOWED TO A FACTORY TRAIED MERCEDES BENZ FACILITY, DIAGNOSIS (NO POWER TO ME2 CONTROL UNIT) THE K40 RELAY MODULE WAS REPLACED WHILE IN GARAGE ANOTHER SLK MODEL WAS IN FOR SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM SINCE THIS COULD BE A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE IS REPORTED TO YOU. *TR
Feb 1, 2008 · 31,758 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.