2001 Mercedes Benz SLK230: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10041803 · 2003-10-14 (October 14, 2003)
THERE IS A FEW SECONDS OF LAG TIME AFTER STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL BEFORE THE CAR ACCELERATES. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118815 · 2005-05-26 (May 26, 2005)
THE POWER WINDOW WILL ONLY GO DOWN HALF WAY, DO TO A LOOSE SCREW. *JB *SB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133471 · 2005-08-12 (August 12, 2005)
2001 MERCEDES BENZ DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE WATER WAS GETTING INTO THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS GETTING THE HEADLIGHT REPLACED. *MR *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133471 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 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 10173154 · 2006-11-10 (November 10, 2006)
2001 SLK 230 COVERED UNDER TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT RECALL. MBUSA STATES THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE VIN NUMBERS ON THE 2001-04 MODELS. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS. MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE MELTED AGAIN. 8JB
Owner-reported narrative. 61,640 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174306 · 2006-11-07 (November 7, 2006)
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING 2001 BENZ SLK230 SAFETY RECALL #2006-08005. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10174306 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.