Model year record
2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 recalls & problems
The 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 31 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (11 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK230.
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.
Fuel economy
SLK230 Kompressor
| City / highway | 20 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
SLK230 Kompressor
| City / highway | 18 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lightingBrake lights; Headlights | 11 | 43,000 mi |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 7 | 80,000 mi |
| VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Rearview mirrors/devices › Interior | 6 | 46,500 mi |
| Service brakes | 4 | 83,487 mi |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal | 3 | 20,000 mi |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Air bagsFrontal | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, electric | 1 | — |
| Electrical systemWiring › Rear compartment/trunk | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, other | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE ESC ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
- Service brakes
THE CAR ENGAGES THE BRAKES ON IT'S OWN WHEN I'M DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH.
- Exterior lighting
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN I START UP MY VEHICLE AN INDICATOR FOR A LIGHT OUT APPEARS ON MY DASH. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES FOR A RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BEING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB NUMEROUS TIMES. I WAS RECOMMENDED TO LOOK ON YOUR WEB SIGHT AND I SAW THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED CAMPAIGN ID 05V505000 ON MY MAKE/MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER WHEN I PUT IN MY VIN NUMBER IT PRODUCED ZERO RECALLS. HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE HAS EVER HAD THE RECALL ISSUE CORRECTED? ALSO, WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THE ISSUE RECTIFIED?
- Engine
HE ENGINE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I MANAGED TO COAST TO A CORNER AND GET OFF THE MAIN STREET, THERE WAS NO WARNING.I HAD TO LEAVE THIS CAR FOR ONE DAY TO FIND IT TOWED BY POLICE , AND HAD TO CALL AND GET IT THE NEXT DAY PAYED 300$ AND GET IT TOWED AGAIN TO A MECANIC PAYED 85$ AND 100$ FOR CHECKING. THE MECANIC TOLD ME IT LOOK LIKE IT HAVE BIG PROBLEM, I DICEDED TO SEE A PROFITIONEL AND SO I HAD TO PAY AN OTHER TOWING FEE OF 80$ AND AN OTHER 110$ FOR CHECKING TO FIND OUT THAT THE HALL ENGINE JUST DAMAGED AND TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW ONE THAT WILL COST ME 3500$.
- Service brakes
THE MERCEDES BENZ SLK 230 2001 MODEL BRAKES RANDOMLY WITH THE FRONT TIRES LEFT OR RIGHT OR BOTH, ENGINE PERFORMANCE GOES DOWN TO SUPER SLOW FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND. THE CAR TURNS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND SLOWS DOWN ABRUPTLY AND ONLY DUE TO MY FAST REACTION I AM ABLE TO AVOID TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ! THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AND ANY SPEED AND ANY PLACE. THE LAST TIME AT ABOUT 1MPH ON A PARKING LOT, BEFORE AT ABOUT 75MPH ON THE INTERSTATE !
- Electronic stability control (esc)
MY VEHICLE WOULD WOULD SUDDENLY COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. IT WOULD DO THIS AT ANY SPEED. IT WAS HAPPENING EVERYDAY. WE HAD TO STOP DRIVING IT. WE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THE YAW SENSOR WAS BAD. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. IT IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A DEADLY ACCIDENT. THE COST TO REPAIR WAS $1000.
- Electronic stability control (esc)
THE RIGHT WHEEL STARTED AUTOMATICALLY BRAKING, WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING, WHEN I WAS TRAVELLING AT 55 MPH. IT ALMOST CAUSED TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. I FELT FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NOT OTHER CARS AROUND ME, THEN THE BAS/ESP LIGHT WILL CAME ON. IT FELT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!
- Visibility/wiper
VEHICLE TYPE IS 2001 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- BRAKE LAMP FAILUREClosedLed to recall 05V505000
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.