2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 18 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and electrical system (2). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 16 technical service bulletins for this model year. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 3 technical service bulletins 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 lighting9 41%
- Air bags2 9.1%
- Electrical system2 9.1%
- Engine cooling2 9.1%
- Body and structure2 9.1%
- Brakes1 4.5%
- Fuel system1 4.5%
- Other or unknown1 4.5%
- Seat belts1 4.5%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “Brake lights burns out on average of 3 to 4 times a year. I brought to the dealer for bulb replacement, but the problem occurs a few weeks later. A days ago, the problem recur. I brought it to the dealer and had them fixed it; however as, I drove off the lot, the brake light went out again. This problem has been recurring for the past 3 years. The dealer has replace the housing twice. Same problem occurred again and again.”
NHTSA complaint #10144622, filed 2005-12, 50,000 milesAir bags: “The 2000 SLK230 I purchased new in 2000 has 5,000 miles on it. Mint-garage stored condition. I have requested numerous times,assistance with both side door problems which may lead to unwarranted air bag release in the near future. The defect appears to have been corrected in 2001 by mercedes benz as the newer models have a one piece interior door panel, vs the two piece interior door panels in the 2000 models. I have friends with the same year and model having the same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10253209, filed 2008-12, 5,000 milesElectrical system: “I have a 2000 mercedes SLK230 sport, copper designo edition. I have had many electrical problems with this car in the year I have had it. The back brake light was melted and burned a couple of months ago and I received a recall letter from that. I had the car running for about 1 min. And 30 seconds down the road when I began to smell something that smelled like plastic burning, I thought for sure it couldn't be my car and was coming from outside. I had the heat on notch number 2 but nothing was coming out. All of a sudden the heat came on then just cut off again, I thought that was odd. …”
NHTSA complaint #10189904, filed 2007-05, 53,230 milesEngine cooling: “Cars engine shuts off suddenly without warning. Most instances occurred while car was in motion. The electronics stayed on but no engine operation at all. Sometimes the vehicle would restart with a slight turn to the left and then right or turning off all the way and restarting. About a third of the time the car would not restart for 5 to 45 minutes with one occasion lasting over 2 hours. Most recently the engine shut off 4 times on a 90 mile trip. The last of the four failures occurred as I was parking and would not restart until later. …”
NHTSA complaint #10196329, filed 2007-07, 57,848 milesMileage when problems were reported
44% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 66,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLK230 Kompressor RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 20 | 27 | 22 | $3,750 |
| SLK230 Kompressor RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2000 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. 16 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11009122Oct 23, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Body and structure. Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Electrical system. Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
- 11005294Jul 23, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical…
- 10248162Dec 4, 2023Seats. Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage ⢠Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). ⢠Objects wedged between the seat…
- 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
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 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.
Has the 2000 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.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 get?
The EPA rates the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 (SLK230 Kompressor, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 reported?
Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 66,500 miles; 44% 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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.