AI Damage2008 Mercedes-Benz CL550: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL550 filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 29% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 14% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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 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.
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 2008 mercedes-benz cl550. While driving approximately 10 mph over a speed bump, a loud noise was heard underneath the vehicle. The contact noticed that the front grill assembly was detached and the plastic piece fractured into pieces.
Transmission cooler which is in radiator cracked and allowed transmission fluid to enter motor cooling system and coolant to enter transmission completely ruining the transmission all components and computer talked to mercedes they would do oohing about total cost to repair $5000.00
There was also gas leaking underneath (driver's rear side). I was told to replace the fuel gasket, after doing that, the odor is now inside the car, constant fuel odor, it never disappear. Driving the car is impossible, and gas leaking underneath continues, same spot.
On june 16, 2014, the seatbelt on my vehicle would not release from the seat, leaving me unable to buckle my seat. On top of the obvious safety hazard, illegality of driving without a seat belt, constant dinging from the vehicle to remind me that I was not buckled, which did not allow me to speak with my clients by…
My 2008 mercedes benz cl550 is having a problem with brake. There is a thug-thug sound when I press down on the brake pedal. It goes away ~2 seconds after the gear is put into parking or neutral position.
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 12,539 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the CL550 has 4 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL550?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, seat belts, fuel system. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (29%), warning lights, check engine (29%), fuel system, fuel smell (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL550?
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 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL550 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 2008 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.