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1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK Recalls, Complaints & Specs

1 safety recall lists the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

1
safety recall
2
owner complaints to NHTSA

1 safety recall for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Brake lights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 05V505000 Reported 69,278 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

    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.

    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…

2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 24,671 miles. Complaints peaked in 2008 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“On 02/02/2009 i had my vehicle, a 1998 mercedes-benz 230slk serviced for a routine oil change. During that service the serviceman inspected my tires and brought to my attention that they were bald. Th”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 13, 2009 · Tires

“While driving on highway all the sudden and without warning, car stopped in middle of highway, all electrical system of car was shot out and could not operate the brake steering and car was towed to a”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 26, 2008 · Electronic stability control (esc)

Compare Mercedes-Benz SLK model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz SLK model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK12
1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK16
2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK23
2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK219
2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK225
2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK19
2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK10
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK16
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK12
2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK10
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK10
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK12

Checking a specific 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK

How do I know if my 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK; your car may already have been repaired under it.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 05V505000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.