VehicleVerdict

1999 Mercedes-Benz Slk problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz Slk — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Slk years?

Slk NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted30 complaints1998: 3 complaints1999: 9 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 23 complaints2002: 30 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 8 complaints2006: 3 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 4 complaints2012: 0 complaints
Slk NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Slk years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Mercedes-Benz Slk problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting333%
Body & Structure222%
Visibility & Wipers222%
Brakes111%
Electrical System111%

Does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz Slk have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V505000LightingNovember 1, 2005 · 69,278 units

Defect

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 GET AN INTERIM NOTICE DURING NOVEMBER 2006, ASKING THEM TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REAR TAIL LAMP REPLACEMENT LATER IN 2007. HOWEVER, IF THEY EXPERIENCE AN ACTUAL REAR LAMP FAILURE BEFORE THEY RECEIVE THAT NOTICE, THEY SHOULD COME TO THEIR DEALER IMMEDIATELY FOR A FREE REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BULB WAS REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 2, 2006

“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. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 5, 2007

“THE MIRROR IS SELF-DIMMING USING A LIGHT-SENSITIVE LIQUID BEHIND THE MIRROR. THE LIQUID LEAKED OUT OF THE MIRROR AND CREATED ACID STAINS ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE MIRROR IS NOW BLURRY AND SHOWS GHOST IMAGES OF ANYTHING BEHIND. IT ALSO NO LONGER AUTO-DIMS WHEN BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS APPROACH FROM BEHIND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 1, 2011

“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. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BULB WAS REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 2, 2006

“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. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BULB WAS REPLACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 2, 2006

1999 Mercedes-Benz Slk — common questions

Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz Slk reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz Slk have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 Mercedes-Benz Slk. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz Slk years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Slk years to avoid are 2002, 2012. The cleanest record among Slk years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.