Mercedes Benz SLK230 owners have reported 9 electronic stability control related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common electronic stability control problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's electronic stability control (9 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control problems |
Tl the contact owns a 2001 mercedes-benz Slk230. While driving approximately 75 mph, the esc warning indicator suddenly illuminated and the esc activated. As a result, the front passenger side brake suddenly activated and the vehicle turned to the right. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Brakes are applied unexpectedly while traveling different speeds. I have had the crap scared out of me the last time this happened while traveling at about 50mph. The car left skid marks for about 50ft and almost caused someone to rear end me as well as my car almost going sideways into another vehicle. Something n eds to be done about the safety of this vehicle. Mercedes corporate will not do anything nor will the dealership. I am so scared to drive it. I now have it parked until something happens to have me feel safe to drive this vehicle again. I have attached a picture of the skid marks. I have additional but it won't allow me to attach more than one.
I was driving on the freeway doing about 55 mph when all of the sudden the car brakes by it self with no warning whats so ever , that was a very scary situation I had vehicles behind me and they had to brake too, that was for about 3 to 5 seconds , I was shaking and scare because I didn't know what happen, another time around the corner from my house as I was turning it did it again for like two seconds, this is very scary because you don't know when is it going to do it again.
The right wheel started automatically braking, without me doing anything, when I was travelling at 55 mph. It almost caused to run off the road. I felt fortunate that there were not other cars around me, then the bas/esp light will came on. It felt extremely dangerous!.
My vehicle would would suddenly come to an abrupt stop without applying the brakes. It would do this at any speed. It was happening everyday. We had to stop driving it. We towed it to the dealer and they told us the yaw sensor was bad. There are many complaints about this on the internet. It is dangerous and could cause a deadly accident. The cost to repair was $1000.
Yah sensor/ electronic stability control: 2001 mercedes slk 230; incident; while driving the vehicle on a clear and dry day, it brakes hard to the right in the middle of traffic suddenly and unexpectedly causing the tire to screech and sending me into the right hand lane of traffic. Went into dealership was told it was ( yah sensor ) which tells the car that its going into a skid and allow the electronic stability control to stabilize the vehicle. The sensor was placed on order. Dealer did not advice me that this is what I call (a major safety issue') nor that it may happen again before it can be repaired and allowed me to drive this vehicle home. It happen twice on the way. Can you please look into this problem and issue a recall or atleast a notable concern before someone is severely hurt or killed thank you. . . . . .
For the last several months, esp/bas light will com on while traveling on highway, and brakes are applied involuntarily intermittently, creating a safety hazard. On occasion is also happened at low speed in city traffic. Contacted the Mercedes Benz dealer, they immediately blamed yaw rate sensor, or accelerator sensor module replacement ranging between $300-700. 00 in repair cost in addition to another related problem with stop light switch, although they are aware of the faulty parts, no recalls are made, and NHTSA also is aware, but have closed the investigation. The car suddenly brakes last time to an screeching halt in middle of highway traffic. After searching mb forums it is obvious that this is a very common problem with a batch of sensors, and switches fitted on 2001 models, of m, e, clk, and slk's. . Read more...
While driving on an interstate highway in wet conditions (raining on and off), my car suddenly jerked to the right; it felt as if my right rear wheel brakes had applied for a second or so. I noticed that the yellow triangle in the middle of the dash board that alerts me to the application of the esc was blinking (and continued to blink until I stopped the car and turned off the engine). As I recall, my car went into the lane to my right before I regained control. I had both hands on the wheel at the time. Because of the wet conditions, I assumed I may have skidded without my realizing it, causing the esc to kick in. When I got off the highway at the next opportunity, I turned off the motor and got out. Upon restarting the car, the esc light had gone out, and I assumed everything was okay. But the same thing happened again before I got to my destination (pittsburgh). I called a local dealer, who advised me it might be a defective sensor and that it should be okay to make the return drive to no. Virginia before getting the vehicle fixed. I had the same problem a few times on the return trip and then brought the car into my dealer. The dealer service form identified the problem as "necessary to replace the yaw rate sensor. " the repair charge was $807. 85.
I have less than 50k miles and had to replace the mass air flow sensor twice and now check engine light is on again for the same service needed. I have paid out of pocket not to mention the inconvenience of having it in the shop so many times also have had to replace transmission sensors and tail light, which mercedes did not reimburse for original charge, just re- replaced. Now problems happening with rear mirror. This is ridiculous mercedes should stand by there product that is supposed to last forever and I have had nothing but problems.