AI DamageMercedes-Benz CL550: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz CL550 across 6 model years: 23 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 26% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 6 complaints (26% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (17% of all).
- Air bags: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (9% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 23 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 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.
On October 17, 2023, my vehicle experienced a significant issueâa fire incidentâwhile I was leaving the garage of my house. According to the fire department & my insurance adjuster, it appeared that electrical components started the fire.
The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, as she attempted to buckle the driver's seat belt, the belt was not able to be locked into the buckle. The contact attempted several times to latch the seat belt however, the contact stated that it felt like there was an obstruction in the buckle.
it has a strong gas smell in the inside. There was a recall pertaining to, "Due to the irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the filter may crack when operated in high temperatures." I live in California and it has been very hot here.
The contact stated that while making a u-turn going 5 mph, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate once the accelerator pedal was depressed. The abs warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz cl550. While driving 20 mph, the side impact air bag on the driver's seat deployed without warning or an impact. The contact's wife sustained bruises to the left arm that required medical attention.
The fuel tank is leaking fuel. The fuel tank has cracks in it causing it to leave a puddle of fuel. The company had the same issues with other vehicles. This is a serious safety concern .
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other models of this make
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.