2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 Owner Complaints

The seat occupancy sensor on the passenger seat of this car is malfunctioning. This is a RECOGNIZED PROBLEM for Mercedes cars. There are numerous websites and YouTube videos describing this problem, offering replacement sensors, offering bypass kits and describing how to make this repair. (Please see attached for small sample). But Mercedes does not acknowledge this problem and has not responded to correspondence about the problem. Instead, the local dealer has said that it will cost >$1,000 to diagnose the problem and that they will probably have to replace the entire bottom section of the seat, which would cost at least $5,000 for parts and labor. This problem WILL cause the child safety seat feature to malfunction and may keep the passenger side airbag from deploying in a collision. The consumer stated the seat occupancy is defective and the parts are not available for his vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11506625

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

The Instrument cluster has no light so I cannot see the speed. The dealer refuses the recall. RECALL - #06V028000

NHTSA ID

11502207

Incident

Jan 16, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 (NA) MERCEDES BENZ CL55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10748332

Incident

Aug 11, 2015

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND RESET THE LIGHT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM, WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE CORRODED AND CAUSED THE STEEL LINING OF THE HOSES TO CORRODE AND LEAK HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ID

10503626

Incident

Nov 1, 2008

Mileage

37,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABC SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,471. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10502119

Incident

Sep 1, 2012

Mileage

105,000 mi