RoadVitals

2000 Mercedes-Benz Cl Class

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Nov 28, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jun 12, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz Cl Class, most frequently naming the fuel system category. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; SUSPENSION

Jun 12, 2007
19,924 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
The risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2007060002View on NHTSA.gov

INTERIOR LIGHTING

Feb 2, 2006
36,911 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.
The risk: DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2006080004View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

May 13, 2004
54,454 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES.
The risk: CONSEQUENTLY, THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER MAY DISSIPATE MORE HEAT THAN THE PLASTIC FUSE HOLDER WAS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND, WHICH COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE HOLDER AND DISABLING OF THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE ABILITY TO DEFROST OR DEFOG THE WINDSHILED IN COLD OR HOT AND HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2004 070010View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE03058ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE

Opened Dec 17, 2003
Closed Apr 22, 2004

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Nov 28, 2003
Fire reported

ON 11/25/03, MY WIFE AND I WERE DROVE OUR 2000 CL 500 MERCEDES TO OUR LOCAL POST OFFICE TO MAIL A LETTER. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE PUT THE CAR IN PARK . RIGHT AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK WE HEARD A SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BLOWING OUT. I GOT OUT AND IMMEDIATLEY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CAR BEHIND US BEEPED HIS HORN AND YELLED YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE. I QUICKLY PULLED MY 7 MONTH PREGNANT WIFE FROM THE CAR AS WE WACHED OUR CAR BURN TO THE GROUND IN LESS THEN 20 MINUTES. WHEN I NOTIFIED MERCEDES TO LET THEM KNOW THAT MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE IS POSSIBLE DANGEROUS FLAW IN THIS VEHICLE, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THIER PROBLEM AND THAT THIS KIND OF THING IS NOT COVERED. I WAS FLOORED WHEN I HEARD THIS. WHAT CAN I DO? *AK

NHTSA ID
10047737
Incident
Nov 25, 2003
Mileage
45,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

887039

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

SEAL BETWEEN EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR HOUSING AND DOOR. *TT

02012005

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO IN-USE DAMAGE TO INTERNAL COMPONENTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES DUE TO A PRODUCTION DEFICIENCY DURING THE PERIOD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED, RESULTING IN THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, OR A READILY RECOGNIZABLE RATTLING NOISE WILL BE HEARD ORIGINATING FROM EITHER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF FROM UNDER THE CAR. (S430, S500 CL500) *TT

805727

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER EIS REPLACEMENT CIRCUIT 15X DELAYED AFTER IGNITION START. *TT

601

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

THIS IS TO ADVISE THAT MERCEDES-BENZ USA WILL CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN OF CERTAIN 2000 AND 2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES EXHIBITING LEAKAGE IN THE POWER STEERING DAMPER HYDRAULIC LINE FITTINGS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz Cl Class by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005010
2004440
2003520
2002192049.3
2001440
2000Viewing141
1999000
1998000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.