AI Damage2004 Mercedes-Benz CL500: common problems
Owners of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL500 filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 78% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 44% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 22% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (78% of all).
- Suspension: 4 complaints (44% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (11% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle hesitated momentarily to shift from 1st to 2nd gear. The contact stated that the failure was most evident while the vehicle was being driven at speeds under 40 mph.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz cl500. When the vehicle was started, the srs indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the front driver's side of the vehicle was tilted and low. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the suspension was faulty.
Upon reaching my vacation destination, the next day the car would not start and I had to call to get my battery jumped. Two days later the battery died again and I had to call for a jump. After returning from vacation, a week later, the battery died again and I had to call for a jump again.
Takata recall I bought my 04 cl500 benz in april of 2015, after a few month I noticed the cluster flickering then soon after the back light went out but gages still working then today while driving in the city a poof of smoke hit me in the face I figured something was on fire so I pulled over opened all my doors and…
The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the front end caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There was a fire report and it was determined that the fire started from the under the hood of the vehicle. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,368 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the CL500 has 6 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL500?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, suspension, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (22%), warning lights, check engine (22%), battery drain (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL500?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL500 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.