2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
Recalls: check by VIN
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (3), Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2), Lights (2), Visibility (wipers / glass) (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/22/2011 · Brakes
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 BATTERY. I HAVE SINCE PICKED MY CAR UP AND NO PROBLEM FOR…
09/03/2010 · Lights
2003 SLK 230 TAIL LIGHT STILL DEFECTIVE AFTER RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. *TR
06/29/2010 · Electrical system
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 DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS THE K40…
06/29/2010 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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 DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR…
06/07/2010 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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 DUE TO GLARE AND INTERNAL REFLECTION. IT IS COMPLETELY UNUSA…
04/14/2010 · Electrical system
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 APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE BASED ON MY DISCUSSION WITH OTHER OWN…
11/15/2008 · Electrical system
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 ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
01/07/2008 · Seats
BURNT HOLE FROM SEAT WARMER ON DRIVER'S SEAT LEFT SIDE. BURNT RIGHT THROUGH COAT AND JEANS. *TR