1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Problems
- Complaints
- 34filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 40,998miles, 16 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 14 complaints (41% of the total), followed by body and structure (6) and engine cooling (4). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 56% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,998 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 11 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 lighting14 41%
- Body and structure6 18%
- Engine cooling4 12%
- Air bags2 5.9%
- Electrical system2 5.9%
- Fuel system2 5.9%
- Steering1 2.9%
Also reported: Tires (1).
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “Rear brake lights have failed numerous times, replaced up until this point at owners cost. A recall was issued, and I've been told that my vehicle VIN is not within the range that they are replacing. My vehicle can not be driven now as it has failed it's vehicle inspection. The lights have been replaced at least twice each already.”
NHTSA complaint #10154421, filed 2006-04, 85,000 milesBody and structure: “The car had a bad left door panel that was fixed under warranty last year. This summer I noticed that it was loose at the top so I had my wife take it in to be fixed. They fixed the panel and my drove home. When my wife got home she was locked in the car and the left door would only open if she put the window down and used the outside door handle. Se went inside and called the dealer, shaffer imports. They had her bring it back so they could correct the problem. She left the car and when she returned it had not been fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #767638, filed 2002-09Engine cooling: “The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a full inspection, the consumer asked that the dealer pay special attention to the fluids, after inspection the vehicle was returned to the consumer, within 15 min the vehicle began to stall and black smoke fumed smelling of antifreeze, the instrument panel indicated extreme heat at which time the consumer pulled over, the consumer observed an antifreeze puddle under the car. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #564649, filed 2002-03Transmission and drivetrain: “This model has been evolved several times by the manufacturer more to market and in a hastily time,perhaps at the expense of the consumer and requires thorough investigation. No safety defect.”
NHTSA complaint #756350, filed 2002-01Mileage when problems were reported
56% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 85,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- PE05051Brake lamp failureClosed · Sep 22, 2005
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. 11 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10135628Oct 14, 2014Equipment. iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8
- 10166099Jul 10, 2014Seats. Pneumatic comfort systems with insufficient performance, entirely inoperative or leaky.
- 10167525Mar 3, 2014Equipment. Apple products (iPhone or iPod) are not charged via the serial USB interface of the COMAND Online control unit (A40/3) in the stowage compartment of the center console.
- 10167002Feb 25, 2014Steering. Creaking noise when making vertical or longitudinal adjustment to electrical steering column
- 10167557Jul 25, 2013Body and structure. Water entry through front section of retractable hardtop with the following localization: - Partial water entry in the area of the side seals to the A-pillar (for area see Fig. 1) when…
- 10167564Jul 12, 2013Electrical system. Customer experiences low battery conditions, resulting in jump starts, and eventually requiring battery replacement.
- 10167563Jul 8, 2013Electrical system. The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power…
- 10135917Feb 22, 2013Electrical system. Malfunctions of various control units and/or on-board power supply problems caused by water in the control unit tray under the driver/front passenger seat (dislocated, pinched or leaking…
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Engine cooling, Electrical system. Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209, 211, 219, 221, 216…
- 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…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK230
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 5 | 87,400 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 5 | 120,400 | 0 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 31 | 61,320 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 22 | 50,000 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Rising |
| 1999 | 59 | 65,000 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 34 | 40,998 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Mercedes-Benz SLK230 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 have?
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 14 complaints (41% of the total), followed by body and structure with 6.
Has the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 reported?
Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,998 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 85,000 miles; 56% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.