1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230, and owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 52,806 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 9 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“While driving, the steering column shaft sheared off completely leaving the car with no steering control. Thanks to god this occurred right after a highway exit and while turning into my driveway. If”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 15, 2021 · Steering
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercedes benz slk230. While driving at various speeds, the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the base of the”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 26, 2015 · Exterior lighting
Compare Mercedes-Benz SLK230 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz SLK230 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 | 0 | 34 |
| 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 | 0 | 59 |
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 | 0 | 22 |
| 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 | 0 | 31 |
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 | 0 | 5 |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 | 0 | 5 |
| 2004 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 | 0 | 4 |
Checking a specific 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230
How do I know if my 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 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.
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.
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
- C3003,469 complaints
- E3502,170 complaints
- E3201,164 complaints
- ML350952 complaints
- GLK350904 complaints
- ML320742 complaints
- C250726 complaints
- C230657 complaints
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.