Vehicle type is 1999 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.
1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230: headlights failing or too dim
9 of the 58 complaints about the 1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230 describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical mileage
- 55,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
- 20041
- 20016
- 20001
- 19999
What owners say
The inside rear view mirror in my 1999 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 leak discolor the mirror which make visibility poor.
My inside rear view mirror has failed. There is no manual backup. The fluid in the mirror, which causes the automatic self-dimming, has leaked out. The mirror now fails to provide dimming for rear approaching headlights resulting in a blinded driver or non-use; both eliminating rear view capability. The electrochromic self-dimming mirrors are standard equipment in my 1999 mercedes-benz slk 230, model r170. I have researched and found many documented cases of the exact mirrors failing in the same way. The mirror manufacture, magna donnelly, was replacing these mirrors for free under some kind of warranty program in the past, but stopped for unknown reasons. The problem has gotten so bad that their warranty department direct number (616‑786‑7495) now has a recorded message directing people to another web site that sells discounted replacement mirrors.
The lh side view mirror in my 1999 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 be smokey which you can now barely see out of and 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. There are many documented cases of these mirrors failing in various makes and models as a result of usually from the internal fluid leaking.
Vehicle type is 1999 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.
Vehicle type is 1999 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.
1999 mercedes benz slk230. The inside rear view mirror is a 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.
Vehicle type is 1999 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.
Rearview mirror has fog inside the glass,making it impossible to see out of it. Brake lights and headlights continue to fail. Also, dash lights failed.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230 headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230?
9 of 58 owner complaints about the 1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230 (16%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 1999.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230
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