The 2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 69,278 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FAILURE OF ONE OF THE SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS CAN OCCUR. THE BASE OF THE SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.
Consequence
THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE MOVEMENT IN THE SOCKET-TO-BULB CONNECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE SOCKET, AND FAILURE OF THE BULB TO ILLUMINATE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LAMP MODULES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2006, TO APPROXIMATELY 8,200 OWNERS. PHASE II MAILING IS SCHEDULE ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 3, 2006, AND PHASE III MAILING IS SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2007 FOR THE REMAINING OWNERS. OWNERS OF VEHICLES WITH THE UPDATED TRIM (POST-FACE LIFT) WILL…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
EQUIPMENT
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
1
VISIBILITY
1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
1
Total complaints11
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I own a 2003 mercedes slk 230 , which brakes on it's own at all different speeds . After the car brakes to the right for a couple of second the bas/esp light comes on . I have had this happen on the highway at 60 mph (very scary). I have since had the brake switch changed , and wheel sensors and…”
“I own a 2003 mercedes slk 230 , which brakes on it's own at all different speeds . After the car brakes to the right for a couple of second the bas/esp light comes on . I have had this happen on the highway at 60 mph (very scary). I have since had the brake switch changed , and wheel sensors and…”
“2003 slk 230 tail light still defective after recall repair was performed. *tr”
“The inside rear view mirror in my 2003 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 inside rear view mirror in my 2003 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…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes slk320 ( n/a). While driving at various speeds , the vehicle loses power without any warning and after the vehicle loses power all the lights illuminates on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to his residence.this has occurred 10 additional times. The…”
“The interior rearview mirror in a 2003 mercedes benz slk230 (r170) had a fluid leak. The mirror is supposed to be a chromatic auto-dimming device. Due to the fluid leak all of the darkening agent has migrated to the center of the mirror. The mirror no longer auto dims, it creates multiple objects…”
“Mercedes with 23,000 ignition switch will not turn. I reported the issue of intermittent problem to dealer and attempted to have it resolved while under extended warranty period. The dealer said it had not failed. Well, the warranty is gone and the failing part failed. It is expensive and appears…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE05051 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2005-12-02
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
IN ITS LETTER DATED OCTOBER 28, 2005, MERCEDES-BENZ USA STATED THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REMEDY DEFECTIVE BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES IN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SLK VEHICLES.THE BASE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SOCKET CAN BE SUBJECT TO THERMAL DEFORMATION OVER TIME.THIS DEFORMATION CAN CAUSE…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Slk as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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