2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl Class Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Cl Class, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension625.0%
- Engine520.8%
- Electrical416.7%
- Interior & seats28.3%
- Brakes28.3%
- Visibility14.2%
- Body & structure14.2%
- Other / unspecified14.2%
- Tires & wheels14.2%
- Airbags14.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SAG & THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CLUSTER SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY DARK WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS CHARGES US EACH OCCURRENCE TO "FIX IT.". NOW I FIND BOTH PROBLEMS ARE IN SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 04V228000 AND 06V028000 THESE ARE RECALLS. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED CORRECTLY THIS TIME WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO USE US AS A CASH HORSE & GETTING RIPPED OFF AS IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE PANEL IS COMPLETELY DARK & WE CANNOT SEE ANY GAUGES OR INDICATORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V263000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ABC VALVE BLOCK AT THE COST OF $2,200 AND STATED THAT THERE WERE MATERIALS IN THE FLUID OF THE ABC SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOCKAGE. THERE IS A HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE SYSTEM AND THE FLUID ONLY ENTERS ONE WAY AND EXITS THE SAME WAY; THEREFORE, THE BLOCKAGE IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED. CURRENTLY, A WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED WITH THE REAR ABC VALVE. THE REPAIR ALSO COST $2,200. THE DEALER ACCUSED THE CONTACT OF BEING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 11/26/08 *CN UPDATED 12/01/08.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN ABNORMAL SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST. THE ABC SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKING NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE JUNE 07, 2007 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL 500. HE STATED THAT THE ABC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HE WAS CHARGED $171.90 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND $2,568.03 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (RECALL#07V263000) FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING AFTER HE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,997.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXTENSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN 2002 CL500 MERCEDES BENZ. VEHICLE SEATS MOVE ON THEIR OWN WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN; LOCK IN WHATEVER POSITION IT CHOSE; HYDRAULICS IN THIS VEHICLE GO UP AND DOWN AT WILL. VEHICLE WILL LEAN ON ONE SIDE, THEN DROP TO WHERE IT IS UNDRIVEABLE, THEN RAISE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE KEY HAS DECODED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE NEW KEY HAD TO BE RECODED AS IT STARTED THE CAR AND THEN WOULD NOT START THE CAR. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE CAR STILL STARTS FINE ONE DAY AND NOT AT ALL THE NEXT AND THEN WILL BE FINE ON THE THIRD DAY. I CAN GO ON AND ON. WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $10,000 IN REPAIRS THAT DO NOT REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. I STILL HAVE A VERY LARGE BALANCE ON THIS NIGHTMARE OF A "VEHICLE" BUT DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DRIVE. IT IS PRESENTLY BEING REPAIRED FOR A WINDOW ISSUE. IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT GO UP. WHEN IT DID GO UP THE WINDOW BROKE. GLASS HAS BEEN REPLACED, REGULATOR REPLACED, MOTOR REPLACED AND NOW I AM BEING TOLD IT IS THE CONTROL MODULE. $1200.00 LATER I STILL HAVE AN OPEN WINDOW AND STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. PRESENTLY THE DASHBOARD MIDDLE CONSOLE SERVE NO PURPOSE OTHER THAN DECORATION SINCE THE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AT WILL ALSO. THE VEHICLE EXTERIOR LIGHTS (HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, TURNING SIGNALS) WORK WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO AND WE HAVE REPLACED BULBS EXCESSIVELY JUST TO FIND THAT THERE WAS NEVER ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BULBS. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THIS CAR IS A NIGHTMARE. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ONGOING SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS CAR. IT HAD ONLY 27,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE HOWEVER BECAUSE IT WAS A 2002, IT HAD NO MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. WE PURCHASED SEPARATE WARRANTY WHICH COVERED PRACTICALLY NONE OF THE ISSUES MENTIONED BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL "ELECTRICAL". THIS VEHICLE HAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING ON THE REED VALVE. PROBABLY ANOTHER ISSUE. *TR
LEFT REAR OF CAR SINKS AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK. REPAIRED MEASURES INCLUDE REPLACING VALVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABC SUSPENSION, THE ABC PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE ALSO FLUSHED THE ABC FLUID AND REPLACED THE FILTER ON MANY OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING FOR MORE THAN A DAY THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NOT OBSERVED ANY ABC FLUID LOSS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACING OR WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 -INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,600.
2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SAG & THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CLUSTER SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY DARK WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS CHARGES US EACH OCCURRENCE TO "FIX IT.". NOW I FIND BOTH PROBLEMS ARE IN SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 04V228000 AND 06V028000 THESE ARE RECALLS. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED CORRECTLY THIS TIME WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO USE US AS A CASH HORSE & GETTING RIPPED OFF AS IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE PANEL IS COMPLETELY DARK & WE CANNOT SEE ANY GAUGES OR INDICATORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V263000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ABC VALVE BLOCK AT THE COST OF $2,200 AND STATED THAT THERE WERE MATERIALS IN THE FLUID OF THE ABC SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOCKAGE. THERE IS A HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE SYSTEM AND THE FLUID ONLY ENTERS ONE WAY AND EXITS THE SAME WAY; THEREFORE, THE BLOCKAGE IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED. CURRENTLY, A WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED WITH THE REAR ABC VALVE. THE REPAIR ALSO COST $2,200. THE DEALER ACCUSED THE CONTACT OF BEING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 11/26/08 *CN UPDATED 12/01/08.*JB
THE BRAKES CHATTERED AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ROTORS, PER DEALERSHIP. *AK *CB *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RUBBER SEAL THAT WAS HELD BETWEEN THE MIRRORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DOOR THAT WAS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE RUBBER ONLY, BUT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MIRROR ATTACHMENT AT A COST OF $1,000 EACH. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ROLL BARS WERE STUCK IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COULD NOT OPEN COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 8/27/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A NOISE AND THEN THE REAR HEADREST POPPED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THE HEADREST DOWN AND THEN HE/SHE NOTICED CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT GO DOWN. THE CONSUMER TO THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE ROLL BAR AND MECHANICS WERE BROKEN. ALSO THE FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS PLAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. UPDATED 09/09/09*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ROLL BARS WERE STUCK IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COULD NOT OPEN COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 8/27/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A NOISE AND THEN THE REAR HEADREST POPPED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THE HEADREST DOWN AND THEN HE/SHE NOTICED CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT GO DOWN. THE CONSUMER TO THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE ROLL BAR AND MECHANICS WERE BROKEN. ALSO THE FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS PLAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. UPDATED 09/09/09*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR DUNLOP D401, SIZE 90/90-19 52H TIRES, WHICH WERE PURCHASED FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMP AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS HANGING FROM THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE TIRE COMPANY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. THE POWERTRAIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,875.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT A VEHICLE CROSSED THE MEDIAN AT A HIGH SPEED AND STRUCK CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S DOOR. UPON IMPACT IMPACT SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK CONSUMER NOTICE MERCEDES BENZ BODY SERVICE, NO RESPONSE AS TO WHY? *BF
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .