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 the last 100 miles until today when the same thing occurred at a lower speed . Car is back in the shop reading no codes !!!!!! I have gone to the mercedes forum and I find that this problem is not uncommon . It seems that the yaw sensor and or lateral control sensor goes and cause the car to think it is sliding and randomly brakes (always to the right) . All of the complaints have had their owners in a panic . This seems to be extremely dangerous .
The worst 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical3
- Lights2
- Visibility2
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical3
- Lights2
- Visibility2
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Steering1
Recalls 1
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
See all 1 recalls for the 2003 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 2003 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 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
2003 slk 230 tail light still defective after recall repair was performed.
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 away which greatly eliminates rear view capability in the interior. There are numerous documented cases of these mirrors failing in various makes and models as a result of usually from the internal fluid leaking. I contacted the oem mirror maker, and they refused to return our phone call/messages. I recently read on the maintenance blogs that magna donnelly were replacing but, stopped all of sudden. I have never had a vehicle that has ever experienced such a problem with the rear view mirror.
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 circuit fuse that failed. The fuse was replaced at the owners expense. The failure mileage was 74000 and current mileage was 76000.
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 unusable in it's current condition. The manufacturer of this mirror magna donnelley used to offer free replacement of these devices, which have a long track record of failing, but now no longer do. The replacement cost of the device is approx. $200 with a $100 install charge by the dealer.
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 owners and complaints here.
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.
The federal safety agency 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 contacted have no information from mbusa on how to correct the defective parts affected in the recall.
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. Fluid was leaking around the power steering pump.
Compare the 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK
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Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK
Is the 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK reliable?
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK, close to a typical SLK model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK?
Electrical system, with 3 complaints. Next is lights (2).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes Benz SLK have?
1 recall, covering exterior lighting.
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