AI Damage1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 50% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 33% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 33% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
This is in regards to recall number 05v505 for the driver side rear brake light. This recall occurred in 2006 and the light was fixed. However, it has failed again and has the exact same problem, the socked has gotten hot and melted/deformed the plastic socket.
The mirror contained fluid has leaked out causing the self-dimming to fail to provide dimming against rear approaching headlights but instead to be dark and full of bubbles all the time. This causes a hazard as it eliminates rear view capability entirely.
It also no longer auto-dims when bright headlights approach from behind and there is no lever for the driver to use to manually dim it. The easiest thing is to just turn it away but that creates a safety hazard.
The frame of my 1999 mercedes slk 230 has broken for no apparent reason. I had new tires put on it and an aligned and two weeks later the frame broke near the axle. This vehicle has not been wrecked previously and the frame should be stronger than it was.
1998 mercedes-benz slk, both rear break lights burned out, plastic (blue) light blub holders are fused to the assembly due to extreme overheating condition. Cannot be removed by hand. Jb
Tl* - the contact received a recall letter campaign # 05v505000 on 01/09/07 for the exterior lights on his 1999 mercedes slk. The dealership, r & h mercedes owens mill, maryland told the contact that they would not perform the recal repair because the brake light was presently working.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SLK has 8 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, structure, visibility. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (33%), overheating, coolant loss (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.