1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by body and structure (2) and visibility (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Exterior lighting3 50%
- Body and structure2 33%
- Brakes1 17%
- Electrical system1 17%
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK, both rear break lights burned out, plastic (blue) light blub holders are fused to the assembly due to extreme overheating condition. Cannot be removed by hand. Jb”
NHTSA complaint #10204612, filed 2007-10, 51,000 milesBody and structure: “The frame of my 1999 mercedes SLK 230 has broken for no apparent reason. I had new tires put on it and an aligned and two weeks later the frame broke near the axle. This vehicle has not been wrecked previously and the frame should be stronger than it was.”
NHTSA complaint #10211800, filed 2007-12, 122,408 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The inside rear mirror of my 1999 mercedes benz SLK 230 is an electro-chromic self-dimming mirror that has no manual backup. The mirror contained fluid has leaked out causing the self-dimming to fail to provide dimming against rear approaching headlights but instead to be dark and full of bubbles all the time. This causes a hazard as it eliminates rear view capability entirely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10496945, filed 2013-02, 70,000 milesBrakes: “This is in regards to recall number 05v505 for the driver side rear brake light. This recall occurred in 2006 and the light was fixed. However, it has failed again and has the exact same problem, the socked has gotten hot and melted/deformed the plastic socket. I don't know if the bulb was replaced only but to me it appears nothing has been done to repair this issue on this car.”
NHTSA complaint #10508606, filed 2013-04Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 70,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 05V505000Nov 1, 2005Exterior lighting › Brake lightsCovers: Mercedes-Benz SLK 1998–2004
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.
Recall details for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10030929Jun 15, 2009Brakes. 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…
- 10022893Apr 24, 2008Engine cooling. 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…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 6,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 9 | 74,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 25 | 33,139 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 19 | 56,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 6 | 70,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz SLK model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by body and structure with 2.
Has the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 70,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.