AI DamageMercedes-Benz CLK Class: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz CLK Class across 5 model years: 35 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 11% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 6% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (23% of all).
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (14% of all).
- Tires: 4 complaints (11% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1998–2005
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2006–2009
- 4.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1999–2003
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2003–2006
- 5.4 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2001–2006
- 5.4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl 2003
- 5.5 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2007–2009
- 6.2 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2007–2008
- automatic, 5-speed 1998–2006
- automatic, 7-speed 2005–2009
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 35 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 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 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 vehicle was involved in an accident. The impact was so severe that the entire front grill and bumper were ripped off. There was damage on every side of the vehicle. Only the right rear air bag deployed.
While making a left turn to pull into the garage, the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high speed. The consumer's foot was on the brake pedal when this occurred. The consumer applied excessive force to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from accelerating, but it failed to do so.
Bought the car in oct.of 2013. Third brake warning comes on from time to time. Have checked my brake lights with someone pushing the brake pedal while I observed more than once and they work fine. Two of my co-workers have told me recently while following me that my third brake light does not always work.
We smelled the odor of gasoline in our garage, so took our vehicle to mercedes of henderson. We were informed that the fuel tank was cracked around the top mounting bolt and needed to be replaced. Upon further investigation, we noted that this is an ongoing problem with the mercedes e and clk class vehicles.
I have had seat belt trouble. When I first bought the car it was weak to retract. Than 9 months later it gave out on me. I looked into it online and it turns out almost all these vehicles have this problem before 100,000 miles.
The contact stated the front driver's side shoulder seat belt retractor failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who informed the seat belt assembly would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
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 2026-11-05.