2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK

1 recalls — 11 complaints — 13 TSBs

05V505000 Nov 1, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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... Read more
69,278 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Complaint Statistics

11 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH1
VISIBILITY1
EQUIPMENT1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Aug 22, 2011
Incident date: Aug 14, 2011
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... Read more
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) Aug 22, 2011
Incident date: Aug 14, 2011
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... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Sep 3, 2010
Incident date: Sep 1, 2010
2003 SLK 230 TAIL LIGHT STILL DEFECTIVE AFTER RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 29, 2010
Incident date: Jun 8, 2010
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 D... Read more
EQUIPMENT Jun 29, 2010
Incident date: Jun 26, 2010
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... Read more
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES Jun 29, 2010
Incident date: Jun 26, 2010
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... Read more
VISIBILITY Jun 7, 2010
Incident date: Jun 1, 2010
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 DU... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Apr 14, 2010
Incident date: Apr 14, 2010
MERCEDES WITH 23,000 IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. I REPORTED THE ISSUE OF INTERMITTENT PROBLEM TO DEALER AND ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT RESOLVED WHILE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. THE DEALER SAID IT HAD NOT FAILED. WELL, THE WARRANTY IS GONE AND THE FAILING PART FAILED. IT IS EXPENSIVE AND APPEAR... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Nov 15, 2008
Incident date: Oct 18, 2007
I INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY OR REMOVE THE KEY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A BAD SECTION OF TOWN AND HAD TO WAIT FOR FLAT BED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR THREE DAYS WHILE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS Feb 22, 2007
Incident date: Jan 28, 2007
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 05V505000. MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS NOT PROVIDED INFORMATION TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AFTER INFORMING ME OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY IN SLK MOTOR VEHICLES. SUBSEQUENTLY BOTH MY TAIL LIGHTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AND CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. DEALERSHIPS C... Read more
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID Nov 23, 2006
Incident date: May 15, 2006
AT APPROX. 52,000 MILES ON MY CAR, I TOOK IT TO GET SERVICED BY A NON MERCEDES DEALER SHIP, SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT. THEY FOUND THE POWER STEERING LEAKING AND THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. I HAD JUST TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR A SERVICE THREE WEEKS EARLIER FOR WARRANTY WORK, AND THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND... Read more

Technical Service Bulletins — 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK

13 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
034100 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER1
034200 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
034300 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE1
034400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM1
034410 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS1
034420 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS1
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034100 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034200 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034300 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034410 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034420 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034430 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034510 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034520 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034530 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
033008 Apr 24, 2008
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / FAULT CODES FC1200 / FC1208 STORED IN ME-SFI CONTROL UNIT. MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL C230, C280, C350, SLK280, SLK350, CLK350, CLK550, E350, E550, CLS550, S600, AND SL550. EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE OR M273 ENGINE. *NJ

MERCEDES-BENZ SLK — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ SLK across all model years (1998–2009).

16 Total Recalls
96 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
2 Reported Crashes
0 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

MERCEDES-BENZ SLK — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2009 1 4 View
2008 1 0 View
2007 1 0 View
2006 1 3 View
2005 1 8 View
2004 1 0 View
2003 (current) 1 11
2002 2 30 View
2001 2 23 View
2000 3 5 View
1999 1 9 View
1998 1 3 View

Other MERCEDES-BENZ Models

Model Recalls Complaints
GLA 250 1,219 416 View
GLC 300 1,143 568 View
GLE 350 1,116 311 View
C 300 1,074 360 View
AMG GLS63 963 12 View
AMG C43 944 74 View
CLA 250 923 130 View
AMG GLC43 920 42 View