1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230, 12% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 2002-03“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 2002-01Related service bulletins
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Xentry (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…
- 10022893Apr 24, 2008Check 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…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230
14 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology