The auto dimming rear view mirror turned black and I cannot see out of it dealer wants like $800 to replace it. There are many people on the forums with the same problem, also the auto dimming drivers side mirror has a similar problem and can't see out of that either, again many people on the forums complain about this too. At one time the manufacturer of the mirror was sending free replacements since there were some quality control problems, but no more.
The worst 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Visibility8
- Electrical5
- Lights4
- Acceleration3
- Brakes2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Visibility8
- Electrical5
- Lights4
- Acceleration3
- Brakes2
- Driver assistance2
- Fuel system1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Recalls 2
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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-face lift) will get an interim notice during november 2006, asking them to schedule an appointment for rear tail lamp replacement later in 2007. However, if they experience an actual rear lamp failure before they receive that notice, they should come to their dealer immediately for a free repair. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 05V505000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the owner's manual does not contain the proper headlamp aiming instructions.
- Risk
- This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with headlamp aiming instructions, and directions for affixing these inserts to the operator's manual. Owner notification began july 15, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free instructions within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑201‑573‑0117.
Recall number 02V152000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK
Defect investigations
Brake lamp failure
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 the federal safety agency recall no. 05v505 for more information.
PE05051
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Visual impairment due to "lava lamp/ distorted bubble" effect in auto-dimming rearview and side mirror. I never realized so many other people were having this problem and didn't realize that this website existed. I would have filed my complaint a long time ago. I've never heard of replace a rearview mirror before. One day I was driving and I noticed there was a bubble in the middle of my tiny mirror. It kept getting larger and didn't go away on its own. Naively, I thought it was just the outside humidity but I should have known better. This mirror costs way too much for the terrible performance.
The inside rear view mirror in my 2002 mercedes-benz slk32 is a self-dimming mirror that has malfunctioned. The mirror contains some kind of fluid that leaked out onto my center console and then the dimming effect no longer worked, leading to an unsafe condition at night. There is no manual backup with this mirror, it is electric and once it fails, it stops working. I feel mercedes-benz should issue a recall on cars containing these mirrors and replace them.
2002 mercedes slk320 fails to accelerate randomly and at critical moments. Gas pedal can be pushed all the way to the floor but the car remains at idol so the car doesn't have enough power to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. No warning or check engine diagnostics are generated. Power is slow to recover but leaves the car limping along at idol until it responds again. Several owners have said that they had to replace the pedal position sensor or the entire gas pedal assembly to correct the problem. This can cost $100 to $400 each time the problem happens. The unplanned operational flaw can cause an accident when the car randomly will not accelerate. I personally have had several near misses when merging or turning in to traffic only to find myself limping in front of a large SUV bearing down on me. There is a 5 second or more lag until the car starts to respond again. Response doesn't come on right away but slowly ramps up to the needed speed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz, slk 320. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH , the brakes locked up and the bas/esp (traction control light) came on causing the vehicle to slow down to 10 MPH almost causing a crash while on the freeway. Suddenly the brakes unlocked and the contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test. The test showed a glitch in the computer system. The local mechanic is currently replacing the computer which caused the brakes to lock up. Previously the contact called the manufacturer regarding the bas/esp light but the manufacturer informed the contact that the dealer would not do a diagnostic test at no cost. The contact stated the manufacturer should have done a free diagnostic test. The failure mileage was 52,000. Updated 01/28/11 *bf the consumer a small computer was replaced. Updated 03/22/11
I bought a slk 320 2002 model and while driving the right side brakes so violently the tires squeal, I am afraid to get on an interstate, and reading a lot of reviews I see I am not the only one. This is a tremendous safety concern.
Mb should recall rearview mirrors for 1998-2003 slk. Looking at articles over the internet, lots of slk owners have experienced this problem, so this is a known common issue for the car. The problem is that the rearview has an auto dim feature, and this mirror usually leaks making the mirror very dark where your cannot use it anymore.
The inside rear view mirror in my 2002 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 away which greatly eliminates rear view capability in the interior. There are many documented cases of these mirrors failing in various makes and models as a result of usually from the internal fluid leaking.
The inside rear view and the exterior rear view mirrors in my 2002 mercedes-benz slk 32 amg (r170 model) are electro chromic self-dimming mirrors that have no manual backup. The mirrors 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 mirrors away which greatly eliminates rear view capability in the interior. There are many documented cases of these mirrors failing in various makes and models as a result of usually from the internal fluid leaking. The interior mirror is about $200 and the exterior (glass only) is around $400. About a year ago, magna donnelly was replacing these mirrors for free but stopped for unknown reasons.
Visibility summary: vehicle type is 2002 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.
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Questions about the 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK
Is the 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK reliable?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK, 2.8 times a typical SLK model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 8 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles. Next is electrical (5).
How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes Benz SLK have?
2 recalls, covering exterior lighting.
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