1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 41%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230, 41% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,000 miles.
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.
“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 miles“I have a 1998 mercedes benz slk 230. The brake lights malfunction on a regular basis. The service manager at the dealer informs me that this is a common failure of the tail light assembly. It seems that would be a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10121690, filed 2005-05, 31,000 miles“Rear brake lights have failed numerous times over the past several years. I have been told that this is a common problem in the slk. Replaced entire rear brake light assembly once under warranty. I have had to replace the sockets every few months for the entire time I've owned the car. Within 2 months of the car no longer being under warranty, the socket failed after only 1 week of being replaced. Was told they would need to replace the rear brake light assembly (again), but this would not be covered under warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168166, filed 2006-09, 101,500 miles“I purchased the car with 1,000 miles on it, I was the 3rd owner. 1st owner was dealer in nj, 2-nd owner was my father. The problem started around 15,000 miles and has continued. The problem is with the rear brake3 light assembly. I have been told that this is a known defect that has not been recalled with the slk model that mercedes manufactures. I have been told the tail light assembly does not have a way to cool off and gets too hot and burns up causing the brake lights to loose connection and they fail. 4 different mechanics have all told me the same story. …”
NHTSA complaint #10079017, filed 2004-06, 15,000 miles“Rear brake light will stop working periodically due to melted socket. Owned the car since new and dealer replace sockets twice while under warranty. Since warranty expired I replaced the socket twice more on each side at a cost of $20.”
NHTSA complaint #10151503, filed 2006-03, 10,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230
6 complaintsEngine cooling
4 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 Nov 1, 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