I have read in the "The sweet smell of success-brake lamps" thread that there are major issues with the design of the tail lights for the SLK models and that a general recall will take place at some point to install a redesigned tail light. Reading back through the service records for my car I can see that twice the tail light was replaced while the car was under warranty--I guess it was during one of those sessions that they replaced the tail light with the newer "facelift" version so that now I have the mismatch in style. I went down to the dealer yesterday to show them the recall notice from Benz I printed off the other thread--it seemed news to their service manager but he suggested that I wait until the recall to do anything about replacing the tail light and getting back to a match. I guess my question is if the replacement will be a complete new tail light assembly or just some sort of bulb or contact replacement that would be done on the existing tail light--if that was the case it wouldn't help me other than maybe fixing a potential future meltdown problem, but if it was a complete unit then the style problem would be solved. Also, I've never had a car that has been involved in a recall--how do those things work and how are you notified and what then is the procedure for getting the work done? Any thoughts would be most appreciated.
From what I read in the MB response to the NHTSA they are desigining a new tail light assembly, or at least that was how it appeared.
As for a recall, these are done by VIN number so the registered owners to a particular VIN are notified, usually by mail. The only downside is that if MB has old information, i.e. a previous owner in their database, the new owner would most likely not get notified.
You can always call your MB Service Advisor, give them your VIN and they can tell you if there are any open campaigns or recalls for your vehicle. If there is a recall, you simply schedule a service appointment, take the car in and they fix it, free of charge.
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"The true delight is in the finding out, rather than in the knowing." - Isaac Asimov
'99 SLK230 Sport
'00 ML320
'95 BMW 525iA (RIP)
'99 Honda Passport
You can always call your MB Service Advisor, give them your VIN and they can tell you if there are any open campaigns or recalls for your vehicle. If there is a recall, you simply schedule a service appointment, take the car in and they fix it, free of charge.
When you bring your car for service they will update the owner information. Also there is "change of owner" postcard in the manual, or i believe if your register in owners-only - they will update the owner information for that VIN
i am interested in this also as i have a brake light out. do i need to call benz and have them update the owner info as i just purchased the car from a private buyer?
i am interested in this also as i have a brake light out. do i need to call benz and have them update the owner info as i just purchased the car from a private buyer?
You can also just call them, that's what I did. From the manual:
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car� found in the Service and Warranty Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
If anyone actually does get a recall letter for this problem would they please post a message on this site so that we will know that something is happening. Also it would be nice to know just what Benz ends up replacing when they get around to it--the whole assembly or just some sort of patch. Guess I'm a paranoid, but always expect to be the last to know.
I called the Benz 800 number today to see if they had my correct address for any potential recall notice. They said they had not been notified about any recall coming up for the SLK cars of any sort. Seems a little odd that something that would involve all cars of this model should be news to them. Maybe it's the Chrysler aspect of the company coming to the surface.
I called the Benz 800 number today to see if they had my correct address for any potential recall notice. They said they had not been notified about any recall coming up for the SLK cars of any sort. Seems a little odd that something that would involve all cars of this model should be news to them. Maybe it's the Chrysler aspect of the company coming to the surface.
I was at a dealer today, and their database does not show any open recalls for the SLK R170.
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