2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
61,320 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 31 complaints (22.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 48.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Visibility | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 7; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 7; Service Brakes: 4; Visibility: 4; Exterior Lighting: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 4; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2012: 2; 2014: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10137927 · 2005-09-27 (September 27, 2005)
YOU NEED TO INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2001 IN YOUR INVESTIGATION OF THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05051. BOTH THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN SEPT 02, WHEN THE CAR WAS OWNED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER DUE TO THIS FAILURE. I NOW HAVE ISSUES WITH THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LAMP BULB SOCKET FAILING TO RELEASE, SO I BELIEVE THE SAME THING IS OCCURRING AGAIN. THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD REALLY COVER ALL MERCEDES R170 THROUGH 2004. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173116 · 2006-11-10 (November 10, 2006)
I WAS INFORMED BY A REPAIR SHOP AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT A BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE ON 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED CAMPAIGN ID 05V505000 ON MY MAKE/MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I SCHEDULED A APPOINTMENT WITH LOCAL DEALER TO GET THE SOCKET REPLACED. I WAS TOLD BY THE MERCEDES DEALER THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. MY MAKE/MODEL IS A PART OF THE RECALL BASED UPON INFORMATION VIEWED ON YOUR WEBSITE. WHY WOULD THE DEALER NOT REPLACE IT? ARE THEY NOT REQUIRED BY LAW TO PERFORM THE RECALLED WORK. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146539 · 2005-12-30 (December 30, 2005)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE DETERMINED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE ON TO THE WIRE FOR THE PEDAL, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262414 · 2009-03-19 (March 19, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230. WHILE IT WAS RAINING, WATER ENTERED INTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING AND THE CONTACT HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN STARTED UP AGAIN. THE CONTACT DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF AT THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE THREE OTHER MERCEDES THERE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE CONTACT PAID $1,600 TO HAVE THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WER…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207936 · 2007-11-05 (November 5, 2007)
I HAVE LESS THAN 50K MILES AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TWICE AND NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN FOR THE SAME SERVICE NEEDED. I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING IT IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION SENSORS AND TAIL LIGHT, WHICH MERCEDES DID NOT REIMBURSE FOR ORIGINAL CHARGE, JUST RE- REPLACED. NOW PROBLEMS HAPPENING WITH REAR MIRROR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS MERCEDES SHOULD STAND BY THERE PRODUCT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST FOREVER AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. …
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207936 at NHTSA ↗