RoadVitals

2003 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.
5
Latest Aug 19, 2010
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.
2
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.
0
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.
7
3 injuries, 9 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Cl Class, most frequently naming the seat belts, airbags and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 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

  • Seat belts325.0%
  • Airbags216.7%
  • Interior & seats216.7%
  • Transmission18.3%
  • Driver assistance18.3%
  • Steering18.3%
  • Suspension18.3%
  • Electrical18.3%

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

2 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
07V263000

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
04V285000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK

Jun 9, 2004
16,690 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION.
The risk: IF THE TRUNK LID IS MANUALLY LIFTED, IT MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF IT COMES DOWN WHILE SOMEONE IS REACHING INTO THE TRUNK.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH TRUNK LID SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES- BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2004 050015View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 19, 2010
Fire reported

I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG. THE ABC OR ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED AND WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING, THE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK , SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE AND I NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE THICK SMOKE AND POOR VISIBILITY. I HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE THE CL55 TOWED TO MY MECHANIC MY MECHANIC, WHO SPECIALIZES IN HIGH END MERCEDES BENZ TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MERCEDES CL 55,65,600 MODELS FROM 2003-2006. MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE LATER MODELS. THE ORIGINAL STICKER PRICE OF THE CL MODEL IS ABOUT $120,000. MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE ABC SYSTEM ON THE AMG MODELS BUT DID NOT MAKE A FACTORY RECALL. I HAVE KNOW MET SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL CAR, 2003-6 CL55 AMG AND ALL OF THEM HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE ABC SYSTEM REPLACED WHICH IS WELL OVER $5500. ALSO , A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO MERCEDES BENZ, CALLED BENZWORLD.COM, HAVE NUMEROUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE ABC SYSTEM. THERE IS A CAMPAIGN OF CURRENT OWNERS WHO ARE PLANNING TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE BREAKDOWN OF THE ABC SYSTEM WHILE DRIVE COMES VERY SUDDENLY AND WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING. I AM VERY LUCKY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME. THE REPAIR IS NOT ONLY VERY COSTLY ( $5500 ), BUT WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK DOWN AGAIN EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED BY ORIGINAL MERCEDES PARTS BECAUSE OF THE FLAWED DESIGN. INSTEAD OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE MERCEDES HAVE A MANDATORY RECALL ON THE 2003-2006 CL AMG MODELS TO ADDRESS THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10350476
Incident
Aug 2, 2010
Mileage
81,200 mi
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed May 27, 2010
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported3 deaths reported

TL*THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2003 MERCEDES CL55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JUNE 11,2006, THEY WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE( LIMOUSINE) AT 45 MPH. WHEN THE DRIVER DOWN SHIFTED, THE DRIVER DROVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE FRONT END OF THE MERCEDES WAS DESTROYED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER THE CRASH. THE FRONT OF THE LIMOUSINE WAS "SHEERED" OFF. THERE WERE THREE FATALITIES AND ONE INJURY. THE CONTACT WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND ADMITTED TO THE ICU. THE POLICE RESPONDED AND FILED A POLICE HOMICIDE CASE REPORT # 246/7/9-06. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE CONSUMER WHO WAS A PASSENGER IN THE MERCEDES BENZ, STATED THE SEAT BACK FAILED DURING THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE DRIVER OF THE MERCEDES BENZ WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER IN THE MERCEDES BENZ WERE PRONOUNCED DEAD AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO EXPIRED. UPDATED EVOQ 08/26/10 UPDATED 11/05/10 INFO RECEIVED 01/19/11 UPDATED EVOQ 03/28/12 UPDATED 11/25/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN HIM. UPDATED 12/02/13

NHTSA ID
10332499
Incident
Jun 11, 2006
Mileage
15,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Nov 25, 2009
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported3 deaths reported

2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55 LOW-SPEED (25-35MPH) HIGH-ACCELERATION HEAD-ON IMPACT WITH A LIMOUSINE (APPROX. 45MPH) WHERE THE CL55 DASH MOUNTED AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST, AND THE CL55'S INTEGRATED SEATBELT WORN BY THE PASSENGER AND SOLE SURVIVOR RESULTED IN THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT-BACK BY 45-DEGREES WITHOUT IMPOSING A NOTABLE INJURY TO THE PASSENGER'S RIGHT SHOULDER. DUE TO THE INSTANTANEOUS NATURE OF THIS INCIDENT THE DRIVER INSTINCTIVELY BRACED HIMSELF....ON THE ACCELERATOR BEFORE IMPACT. THE 516FTLBS OF TORQUE OF THE CL55 SPEARED THROUGH THE FRONT END OF THE LIMOUSINE SHEARING THE LIMO'S ENTIRE FRONT CLIP, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION OFF UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOLDING THE LIMO WHERE ITS DRIVER SAT. TO MY AMAZEMENT I WATCHED THIS OCCUR WITH VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE EVEN AS THE FRONT END OF THE CL55 ALSO CRUMPLED WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THUS SAFETY SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR THE CL500 ARE BEING APPLIED IN THE AMG VERSIONS OF THE SAME VEHICLES WITH POWER INCREASES NOW OVER 100% ABOVE A 302HP '03 CL500. SUCH POWER IS ABLE TO CAUSE ADVERSE AFFECTS ON THE ABILITY OF AN ACCELEROMETER TO MEASURE DECELERATION DURING AN IMPACT UNDER A FULL THROTTLE CONDITION. A SIMPLE PUSH-BUTTON CRASH SENSOR WOULD HAVE SOLVED THIS MATTER. LIKEWISE, SUCH POWER INCREASES ARE OVERCOMING THE INTEGRATED SEATBELT'S ABILITY TO RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT. OTHER THAN A SKIRMISH ATTEMPT TO HIDE BEHIND FEDERAL STATUTES, NOTHING HAS SINCE BEEN DONE TO AMEND THE DESIGN FLAWS ASSOCIATED WITH APPLYING THE CL500 SAFETY SYSTEMS IN THE AMG VERSION VEHICLES. POWER OPTIONS AVAILABLE HOWEVER, KEEP INCREASING. CONSEQUENCES ARE REAR-HEAD INJURIES TO BOTH FRONT-SEAT OCCUPANTS AFTER SUSTAINING A SERIES OF FRONTAL INJURIES. RESTRAINED PASSENGER CHOSE TO SACRIFICE HIS LIMBS AGAINST THE DASH WHILE THE DRIVER BRACED OUTWARD. OLD PART WAS SALVAGED BY INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT NOTICE IN DEC. 2006. CASE REPORT WITH PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEDICAL RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10293508
Incident
Jun 21, 2006
Mileage
12,000 mi
Interior & seatsSeat beltsTransmission
Filed Mar 11, 2009
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported3 deaths reported

1. EXITING A CURVE ON A WINDY ROAD AT APPROX. 30MPH, DRIVER APPLIED THROTTLE CAUSING AN AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT INTO A 516FTLB TORQUE LUNGE. WITH NO STEERING CONTROL IN 1-SECOND WE WERE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. DRIVER FOUGHT TO REGAIN CONTROL DURING SECOND NO. 2. THEN A LIMO BLEW THROUGH A STOP SIGN ON A MERGE LANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. BOTH DRIVER'S BRACED ON THEIR GAS PEDALS. 2. THE MERCEDES CL & SL CLASSES HAVE THE SAME FRONT SEATS WITH AN INTEGRATED SEAT BELT SYSTEM. SINCE IT WAS ONLY CONNECTED TO THE SEAT, THE SEAT FAILED WITHOUT EVEN A BRUISE TO MY RIGHT SHOULDER (BY OVER 30-40 DEGREES). I WAS LEFT AGAINST THE DASH BOARD (WITH MY SEATBELT ON) THROWING LIMBS AT MY SURVIVAL. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, AFTER BREAKING MY LEFT FEMUR TWICE, SMASHING TWO KNEES, BREAKING MY FOREARM, HITTING MY HEAD ATOP MY LEFT HAND ON THE DASH AND LEAVING MY BODY WHEN I PUSHED BACK AND RETURNED I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO THINK THE AIR BAG HAS YET TO GO OFF. THEN IT DID, PICKING ME UP BY MY HEAD, SMASHING IT AGAINST THE MOONROOF BEFORE FINALLY COMING TO REST IN A MANGLED SEAT POSITION. 3. IN THE 2.75 YEARS IT TOOK TO GET TO WRITING THIS CORRESPONDENCE, MERCEDES HAS INCREASED THEIR CL POWER OPTIONS BY ANOTHER 150HP AND 250FTLBS OF TORQUE TO 650HP/750FTLBS OF TORQUE WITH THE SAME SEAT/BELT ARRANGEMENT. NHRA RULES REQUIRE 5-POINT HARNESSES ATTACHED TO FRAME/ROLLCAGE COMPONENTS FOR A CAR CAPABLE OF TRAVERSING THE 1/4MILE IN 12 SECONDS OR LESS. THE CL55-65'S RANGE FROM MID 12'S TO MID 11'S. AND FAIL TO CONNECT ANY PORTION OF THE BELT TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. IT MAKES NO SENSE ESPECIALLY IN A CAR THAT WEIGHS 4400LBS TO LEAVE THEIR OCCUPANTS FENDING FOR THEMSELVES IN MID FLIGHT WHILE "BUCKLED UP". *TR

NHTSA ID
10261599
Incident
Jun 11, 2006
Mileage
9,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 6, 2004

VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A KEYLESS GO DEVICE. WHEN THIS DEVICE IS USED TO START THE VEHICLE IT IS NOT MOBILE. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, PUT IT INTO GEAR OR ACCELERATE. DEALERSHIP HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO TURN THE MOTOR OFF, AND FLAT BED THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE MODULE THAT OPERATES THIS DEVICE. THERE'S TSB ON THIS ISSUE. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10076149
Incident
Jun 5, 2004
Mileage
8,000 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

010104

SUSPENSION

THE HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC DISTRIBUTION HOSE OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) MAY DETERIORATE OVER TIME DUE TO EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY AND HIGH TEMPERATURES. VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN OF ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) (12 CYLINDER ONLY). *NM

2004050015

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK

THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN. COVER LETTER, RECALL CAMPAIGN BULLETIN AND LETTER TO OWNERS. *TT LITERATURE FROM WARRANTY SERVICES GROUP REGARDING LABOR TIME INFORMATION. *TT

2004070012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

REPLACEMENT OF ABC PRESSURE SUPPLY VALVE UNIT HYDRAULIC LINE. *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—
2003Viewing520—
2002192049.3
2001440—
2000141—
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.