2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/06/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2002 MERCEDES SLK320 FAILS TO ACCELERATE RANDOMLY AND AT CRITICAL MOMENTS. GAS PEDAL CAN BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR REMAINS AT IDOL SO THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS ARE GENERATED. POWER IS SLOW TO RECOVER BUT LEAVES THE CAR LIMPING ALONG AT IDOL UNTIL IT RESPONDS AGAIN. SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR OR THE ENTIRE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS CAN COST $100 TO $400 EACH TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPENS. THE UNPLANNED OPERATIONAL FLAW CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE CAR RANDOMLY WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WHEN MERGING OR TURNING IN TO TRAFFIC ONLY TO FIND MYSELF LIMPING IN FRONT OF A LARGE SUV BEARING DOWN ON ME. THERE IS A 5 SECOND OR MORE LAG UNTIL THE CAR STARTS TO RESPOND AGAIN. RESPONSE DOESN'T COME ON RIGHT AWAY BUT SLOWLY RAMPS UP TO THE NEEDED SPEED. *TR

• 12/05/2025· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  Previous recall 05V505 has been completed but the issue has returned the issue has been intermittent for a fee months but the tail light has been non op for a few months, i have tried different sockets and bulbs to no avail. The issue has not caused any incidents but i have no brake light on the drivers side due to melting on the lamp itself aswell as the pins on the connector are warped

• 12/03/2008· VISIBILITY

  VISIBILITY SUMMARY: VEHICLE TYPE IS 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 (R170 MODEL). THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS FAIL LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. *TR

• 11/28/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED AND AGREED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL, # 05V505000, CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHTS. HOWEVER, BOTH REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL.

• 11/07/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

• 10/26/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT: 2002 MERCEDES SLK 230- WHEN STOPPING THE CAR, AND THEN TAKE OFF AGAIN THE CAR LOSES POWER. INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AT THIS TIME. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN PAST YEAR AND A HALF. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP FIVE DAYS AND DRIVEN 163 MILES AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN I PICKING UP THE VEHICLE DROVE IT ABOUT 10 MPH, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE CAR LOST POWER. THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK *NM

• 10/21/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE AUTO DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR TURNED BLACK AND I CANNOT SEE OUT OF IT DEALER WANTS LIKE $800 TO REPLACE IT. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ON THE FORUMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALSO THE AUTO DIMMING DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND CAN'T SEE OUT OF THAT EITHER, AGAIN MANY PEOPLE ON THE FORUMS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS TOO. AT ONE TIME THE MANUFACTURER OF THE MIRROR WAS SENDING FREE REPLACEMENTS SINCE THERE WERE SOME QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEMS, BUT NO MORE. *TR

• 10/11/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  THE BAS/ESP LIGHT AND SUDDEN BRAKING JUST OCCURRED TODAY(10.11.16) ON OUR 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 320. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN ABOUT AN HOUR OF DRIVING ON CITY STREETS BETWEEN 15 AND 45 MPH. ONE OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, THE OTHER TWO HAPPENED WHILE CHANGING LANES IN MOVING TRAFFIC. THE EXPERIENCE TODAY WAS THAT THE CAR HAD A BRIEF MOMENTARY HARD BRAKING. FIRST ON THE LEFT FRONT AND THEN THE RIGHT FRONT (2 SEPARATE TIMES). EACH WAS A SEPARATE INCIDENT AND EACH TIME THE BAS/ESP LIGHT LIT UP AFTERWARD. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THE SLK LINE AND POSSIBLY EXTENDS TO OTHER MODELS. IN MERCEDES BENZ ONLINE COMMUNITIES, MANY OTHERS HAVE STATED EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE APPARENTLY NUMEROUS POTENTIAL REMEDIES. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE CULPRITS(S) COULD BE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, NUMEROUS SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING. I.E.: YAW SENSOR, LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, BAS RELEASE SWITCH, MAF SENSOR, ROTATIONAL SPEED SENSOR, TO NAME A FEW. THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING OFTEN ENOUGH TO DEMAND A RECALL.

• 09/30/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND FUSED TO THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 AMG. WHEN BULBS DO FAIL IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE THEM. IT IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE MELTED PLASTIC. BOTH ENTIRE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED.*JB

• 09/29/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  FAST MOVING TRAFFIC, DRY WEATHER. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR APPLIED BRAKES, THOUGHT I WAS HAVING ONE OF THE TIRES BREAKING INTO PIECES. THIS LASTED UNTIL I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED, NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER IN THIS FAST TRAFFIC SURELY WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT, MAYBE EVEN FATALLY. ANYWAY, I SAW NOTHING BROKEN, ALL TIRE IN TACT, SO I CONTINUED. THIS WAS IN FL AND HAVING JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE NIGHT BEFORE, I WAS ON A LONG JOURNEY TO MY HOME STATE DE. IT DID HAPPEN A COUPLE OF MORE TIME WITH LIGHTER IMPACT. TODAY IS MONDAY SEPT.29TH, I AM BACK AND HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING MBENZ FORUMS AND FOUND OUT, NOT DEFINITE, PEOPLE BELIEVE IT IS YAW SENSOR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

• 09/28/2022· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The transmission on my 26700 miles car did not shift and the car wouldn’t move on the intersection as well as on the highway where the car would just roll without accepting the gas pedal. Most dangerous on the intersection where cars behind mine would just go without making sure my mercedes is moving(which it didn’t). The mechanic mentioned that transmission fluid may have contaminated other parts of the engine and contaminated various sensors giving erroneous readings error codes all related to electrical issues. There are fault codes suggesting that the ECU, PCM, SRS, and ABS are not correctly working. In addition, common problem occurring in MB vehicles are the radios are faulty and not working. The car has until 2020 been almost exclusively serviced by Mercedes Benz in Fort Washington / PA where at the crfax report one can see that the radio, ECU have been meddled with before at this service location. This should proof the longstanding assertion as expressed in different MB forum that there are many existing electrical and transmission problems with this model throughout the build of this series.

• 09/11/2017· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR BRAKES BY IT SELF WITH NO WARNING WHATS SO EVER , THAT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION I HAD VEHICLES BEHIND ME AND THEY HAD TO BRAKE TOO, THAT WAS FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 SECONDS , I WAS SHAKING AND SCARE BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN, ANOTHER TIME AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOUSE AS I WAS TURNING IT DID IT AGAIN FOR LIKE TWO SECONDS, THIS IS VERY SCARY BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IS IT GOING TO DO IT AGAIN.

• 09/09/2010· TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ, SLK 320. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH , THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE BAS/ESP (TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT) CAME ON CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. SUDDENLY THE BRAKES UNLOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST SHOWED A GLITCH IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE LOCAL MECHANIC IS CURRENTLY REPLACING THE COMPUTER WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. PREVIOUSLY THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE BAS/ESP LIGHT BUT THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT NO COST. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE DONE A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF THE CONSUMER A SMALL COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/22/11

• 09/08/2012· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE LEAKED OUT PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE OF THE CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT CAUSES THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS. THIS INABILITY TO DIM CAUSES ME TO BE BLINDED FORCING ME TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY WHICH ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY WHILE UNDERWAY. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING.

• 09/07/2009· VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 (R170 MODEL) IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY WHICH GREATLY ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY IN THE INTERIOR. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING. *TR

• 08/25/2026· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The cars ignition switch locks up and prevents the car from starting, it can also cause the car to stall when running creating a very dangerous situation. Mercedes is aware of this problem with the ignition switch.

• 08/25/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE HEADLINER/CEILING OF THE CAR IS FALLING APART. PARTICULARLY THE CLOTH UNDER THE SUNROOF ALL CAME OFF WITH THE ADHESIVENESS IS LOST AND DIRECTLY FALLS ONTO ONES'S FACE WHILE DRIVING AND IT COULD BE FATAL. MERCEDES DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE BUT DID NOT AUTHORIZE A COVERED REPAIR. THIS IS REAL SAFETY CONCERN AND THERE CAN BE CHOKING OR OTHER UNDESIRED DISTURBANCE WITH THE HANGING HEADLINER PART WHILE DRIVING. THE ADHESIVE MATERIALS EXPOSED AND THE TINY PARTICLES COULD BE INHALED INTO LUNGS, WHICH COULD BE OTHER UNDESIRED DAMAGE STEMMING FROM THE FALLING HEADLINER CLOTH. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND OPERATED THE SUNROOF OPENING. THE HEADLINER CLOTH LANDED ON MY FACE AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND TAKE IT TO SAFETY AND TEMPORARILY HELD THE CLOTH IN PLACE.

• 08/22/2017· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  BRAKES ARE APPLIED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE TRAVELING DIFFERENT SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD THE CRAP SCARED OUT OF ME THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50MPH. THE CAR LEFT SKID MARKS FOR ABOUT 50FT AND ALMOST CAUSED SOMEONE TO REAR END ME AS WELL AS MY CAR ALMOST GOING SIDEWAYS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. SOMETHING N EDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. MERCEDES CORPORATE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING NOR WILL THE DEALERSHIP. I AM SO SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I NOW HAVE IT PARKED UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HAVE ME FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE SKID MARKS. I HAVE ADDITIONAL BUT IT WON'T ALLOW ME TO ATTACH MORE THAN ONE.

• 08/22/2007· SEATS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT ELECTRIC SEATS FAIL TO OPERATE UPON FIRST ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE SEATS CANNOT BE MOVED UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED AND DRIVEN. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

• 08/12/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS ENGAGED THERE IS A LOT OF HESITATION, AND VEHICLE ALMOST STALLS ON THE ROAD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES NORMALLY. *AK

• 08/10/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I BOUGHT A SLK 320 2002 MODEL AND WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT SIDE BRAKES SO VIOLENTLY THE TIRES SQUEAL, I AM AFRAID TO GET ON AN INTERSTATE, AND READING A LOT OF REVIEWS I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

• 07/28/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS DARKENED AND IT IS NOT RELATED TO THE BULB. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE LEFT REAR BRAKE TO DARKENED. THERE IS A SIMILAR RECALL ON THE MERCEDES 170, BUT NOT ON THE SLK SERIES.*AK

• 07/25/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  REAR BRAKE LIGHT MELTED IN SOCKET SO I AM UNABLE TO REPLACE THE BULB. MB DEALER SAYS I MAY NEED A WHOLE NEW REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *NM

• 07/16/2007· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S55. WHILE DRIVING 95 MPH, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUDDENLY DROPPED AND RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS NOW REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 38,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,575.

• 07/15/2005· STEERING,TIRES,EQUIPMENT

  ON MAY 13, 2005, I PURCHASED A USED CAR FROM DC MOTORS OF ANAHEIM HILLS, CA. THE CAR CAME FROM WALTER MERCEDES RIVERSIDE, CA. THE CAR WAS NOT RECONDITIONED BEFORE SELLING. THE COMPANY INTENTIONALLY DEFRAUD ME SINCE I HAVE A PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN THROROUGHLY CHECK FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER. TODATE, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A TOTALLED OF 12 DAYS, 4 VARIOUS VISITS. THE FOLLOWING WERE THE PROBLEMS: MISSING GRILL, SHAKING IN THE STEERING, CAR NEEDS NEW TIRES AND FRON WHEEL ALIGNMENT, HUMMING NOISE, HOT AIR COMING OUT OF THE PEDAL, INCORRECT TIRES SPECIFICATION CURRENTLY INSTALLED, THE RETRACTABLE HARDTOP STOP FUNCTIONING. I HAD TO PAY $302.00 FOR THE MISSING AND NEITHER DC MOTORS AND WALTERS TAKES RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.

• 07/12/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ASUDDEN ACCELERATION. NO IMPACT WAS REPORTED. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK

• 07/10/2014· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES FOR ABOUT ONE SECOND, AND THE BAS-ESP LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, AND IT RESUMES TO NORMAL DRIVING. *TR

• 07/09/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL LINE FAILED AT PRESSURE REGULATOR CAUSING A CONSTANT FLOW OF GASOLINE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FUEL HOSE ASSEMBLY IS ON BACK ORDER FROM GERMANY. APPEARS TO BE OVER TWO WEEKS FOR REPAIR. JUST GREAT!*AK

• 06/30/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN ERROR MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER A MANUFACTURER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. ..UPDATED 07/20/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED FROM THE DEALER THE GAS CAP LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. UPDATED 10/19/2017*JS

• 06/29/2010· VISIBILITYCrash

  MB SHOULD RECALL REARVIEW MIRRORS FOR 1998-2003 SLK. LOOKING AT ARTICLES OVER THE INTERNET, LOTS OF SLK OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, SO THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON ISSUE FOR THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE REARVIEW HAS AN AUTO DIM FEATURE, AND THIS MIRROR USUALLY LEAKS MAKING THE MIRROR VERY DARK WHERE YOUR CANNOT USE IT ANYMORE. *TR

• 06/29/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

  CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED A LEMON. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 4-5 TIMES AND EACH TIME AT LEAST A MONTH. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF AND DID NOT COME BACK ON, THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *AK THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS PROBLEMATIC, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTERS IN THE REAR DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS A HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION, THE LEFT FRONT LOW BEAM LIGHT WOULD COME ON THE DISPLAY, THE VOICE OPERATION WAS HARD TO HEAR ON BOTH RECEIVING AND ANSWERING, THE BRAKES FELT SOFT, THE TRUNK SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY, THE CELL PHONE WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. (MODEL/S500) *SC *JB

• 06/26/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE REAR AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS AUTOMATICALLY DIMMED IN LIGHTING CAUSING IT HARDER TO VIEW THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ UPDATED 10/31/2017*CN

• 06/09/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL BE IN THE DRIVING GEAR MODE. TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. *AK

• 06/09/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ABS LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK

• 06/05/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHEN THERE WAS A QUICK ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP POSITION, THE ESP(ELECTRICAL STABILIZER PROGRAM) SYSTEM ENGAGED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STOPPING AFTER ACCELERATING FOR ONLY 2 FEET. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THE ESP SYSTEM DISENGAGED. *JB

• 06/01/2023· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message that the rear light had malfunctioned was displayed. Upon inspection, it was discovered that while depressing the brake pedal, the driver’s side brake light failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the rear lamp module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V505000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 106,000.

• 05/31/2011· VISIBILITY

  VISUAL IMPAIRMENT DUE TO "LAVA LAMP/ DISTORTED BUBBLE" EFFECT IN AUTO-DIMMING REARVIEW AND SIDE MIRROR. I NEVER REALIZED SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THIS WEBSITE EXISTED. I WOULD HAVE FILED MY COMPLAINT A LONG TIME AGO. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF REPLACE A REARVIEW MIRROR BEFORE. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I NOTICED THERE WAS A BUBBLE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TINY MIRROR. IT KEPT GETTING LARGER AND DIDN'T GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. NAIVELY, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE OUTSIDE HUMIDITY BUT I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. THIS MIRROR COSTS WAY TOO MUCH FOR THE TERRIBLE PERFORMANCE. *TR

• 05/27/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN MY 2002 CLK55 AMG STARTED NOT DISPLAYING RANDOM LEDS IN THE TEMPERATURE, TIME AND DRIVE/REVERSE/1/2/3 GEAR. THE RANDOM LOSS OF LEDS IS CONSTANT. I CAN NO LONGER SEE THE TIME, TEMPERATURE OR WHICH GEAR THE CAR IS IN BASED ON THE LED. *TR

• 05/21/2003· STRUCTURE

  WHILE MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS THE VEHICLE MADE A CRUNCHING NOISE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS (MERCEDES BENZ CLK55AMG 2002). *NLM

• 05/15/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  XENON HEADLAMPS BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS. THEY SHOULD BE BANNED !!!!*AK

• 05/06/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THESE NEW HEADLIGHTS ON NEW IMPORT CARS BLIND ME AT NIGHT. APPROACHING FROM AHEAD OF FROM THE REAR. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO ELIMINATE THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD FOR THE AFFECTED DRIVERS. PLEASE HELP US. THANKS.*AK

• 04/26/2003· AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENTFire

  DEPLOYED AIRBAGS INJURE 2 PA. FIREFIGHTERS DAVE SOMMERS, STAFF WRITER APRIL 24, 2003 EDGELY, PA. FIREFIGHTERS FACE A LOT OF HAZARDS EVERY TIME THEY SUIT UP. BUT THEY DON'T EXPECT TO BE STRUCK BY AUTOMOBILE AIRBAGS SUCH AS WHAT OCCURRED ON TUESDAY WHEN EDGELY FIRE COMPANY FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED TO A CAR FIRE IN THE 3M INDUSTRIAL PARK IN BRISTOL TOWNSHIP. IN FACT, OFFICIALS SAID ANDY TAGGART, 25, WAS KNOCKED OUT WHEN THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG ON A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ INEXPLICABLY DEPLOYED AS THE VETERAN FIREFIGHTER WAS CHECKING THE DASH FOR DAMAGE. A SECOND FIREFIGHTER, RYAN FLANAGAN, 18, WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED WHEN HE WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD BY A PARTIALLY DEPLOYING AIRBAG AS HE WAS CHECKING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT DASH, OFFICIALS SAID. BOTH WERE RUSHED TO ST. MARY MEDICAL CENTER IN LANGHORNE WHERE THEY WERE KEPT FOR OBSERVATION AND THEN RELEASED EARLY YESTERDAY. FLANAGAN SAID EDGELY RESPONDED TO THE FIRE SCENE AROUND 9:38 P.M. AFTER LEARNING THAT A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ WAS ON FIRE IN FRONT OF A&Z AUTOMOTIVE ON MANNING BOULEVARD. WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED, THEY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH AND BEGAN TO GET THE SITUATION UNDER CONTROL. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG BLEW WITH SUCH FORCE IT KNOCKED TAGGART UNCONSCIOUS WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG, WHICH ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED, STRUCK A GLANCING BLOW OFF THE SIDE OF RYAN FLANAGAN'S HEAD. BOTH FIREFIGHTERS WERE WEARING HELMETS, WHICH LIKELY SAVED THEM FROM FURTHER INJURY. AEROSTAR, THE SECURITY COMPANY WHICH ELECTRONICALLY MONITORS LUXURY CARS SUCH AS THE MERCEDES, HAD AUTOMATICALLY CALLED 911 WHEN IT DETECTED A FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE AEROSTAR SYSTEM ALSO AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED THE CARS DOORS AND CONTACTED THE OWNER, WHO WAS NOT WITH THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. THE FIRE INSIDE THE MERCEDES WAS EXTINGUISHED BEFORE IT COULD CAUSE MUCH DAMAGE. *NLM

• 04/22/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A SAFETY FEATURE WHICH AUTOMATICALLY REDUCES THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO 20-30 MPH WHEN VARIOUS SENSORS DETECT SOME SORT OF MECHANICAL DIFFICULTY. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH THE SAFETY FEATURE ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS REDUCED. THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TOT HE DEALER. I WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT A FAULTY ESP CONTROL MODULE SENT A FALSE WARNING TO THE SYSTEM THAT MADE THE VEHICLE REDUCE SPEED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS FEATURE WAS DESIGNED POORLY AND THAT IT SHOULD BE DESIGNED SO IT COULD BE MANUALLY OVERRIDDEN (MERCEDES BENZ S430 2002). *MR *SCC *NLM

• 04/16/2003· STRUCTURE

  MY 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 430 CABRIOLET (YOUR WEB SITE DOES NOT LIST THIS MODEL OR THE CLK 55) HAS A WARPED REAR SUB-FRAME AND THERE WAS NO INCIDENT TO CAUSE THIS. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND CHARGED 3000 TO FIX! *NLM

• 03/31/2014· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  SUDDENLY, FOR NO REASON, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ACTIVATED, CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THIS RELEASED WITHIN A SECOND. I STOPPED AND RESTARTED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. SEVERAL SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. I CALLED MERCEDES ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY WANTED ME TO TAKE IT TO DEALER AND PAY THE DEALER TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE OVER TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY A FEW MONTHS AGO. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS. THIS CAUSES A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN. I DO NOT DO KNOW IF THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND IF IT IS, WHAT FIXED IT. THIS IS KNOW ISSUE TO MERCEDES. *TR

• 03/27/2023· ENGINE,VISIBILITY

  The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK320. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as it went into Limp mode. Several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he had replaced the spark plugs and the accelerator pedal; however, the failure persisted, and the engine was misfiring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the PCM, the speed sensor, and the ignition coil were malfunctioning. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the defroster had failed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

• 03/26/2020· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  MY GEAR SHIFTER IS DEFECTIVE AS I HAVE PROBLEM TAKING IT OUT OF GEAR STATIONARY TO DRIVE AND ALSO THE CAR DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR I SHIFT INTO CAUSING HIGH ENGINE REVIVE IN THE ENGINE AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE AS IT WON'T MOVE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THE LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAY WHILE IN MOTION FROM DRIVING.ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.

• 03/24/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CAR WANTS TO STALL/STOP/HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. *JB

• 03/22/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DOOR LATCHES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MALFUNCTIONED TRAPPING THE OCCUPANTS INSIDE. THE CONTACT ESCAPED THE VEHICLE BY USING A CROWBAR TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY ADJUSTED THE LOCKS AND REPLACED THE REGULATOR HOWEVER THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.*AK

• 01/31/2011· VISIBILITY

  THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 IS A SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE MIRROR CONTAINS SOME KIND OF FLUID THAT LEAKED OUT ONTO MY CENTER CONSOLE AND THEN THE DIMMING EFFECT NO LONGER WORKED, LEADING TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION AT NIGHT. THERE IS NO MANUAL BACKUP WITH THIS MIRROR, IT IS ELECTRIC AND ONCE IT FAILS, IT STOPS WORKING. I FEEL MERCEDES-BENZ SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON CARS CONTAINING THESE MIRRORS AND REPLACE THEM. *TR