RoadVitals

2004 Mercedes-Benz Clk 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.
7
Latest Dec 21, 2011
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 Jul 7, 2008
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz Clk Class, most frequently naming the seat belts, tires & wheels and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 8 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 belts225.0%
  • Tires & wheels225.0%
  • Transmission225.0%
  • Airbags112.5%
  • Other / unspecified112.5%

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
08V303000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Jul 7, 2008
404 units potentially affected
The defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2008 070001View on NHTSA.gov
03V534000

SEAT BELTS

Dec 19, 2003
4,348 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY HAVE A BURR ON A METAL COMPONENT OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE PRESENCE OF THE BURR COULD PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM LOCKING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.Manufacturer number 2003120006View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Seat belts
Filed Dec 21, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. 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.

NHTSA ID
10440867
Incident
Dec 19, 2011
Mileage
111,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 20, 2007

KEYES MERCEDES BENZ SOLD ME A VEHICLE ,CLK 320, WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES , AND WAS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10185625
Incident
Mar 4, 2007
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 20, 2006

WHILE USING THE CUP HOLDER ON MY 2004 MERCEDEZ BENZ CLK VIN [XXX] COFFEE SPILLED AND CAUSED THE RADIO AND A/C UNIT TO MALFUNCTION. THIS RESULTED IN ALMOST $2,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. THE CUP HOLDER IN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE RADIO AND A/C CONTROLS. I KNOW THAT MERCEDES HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH THE SLK MODELS WITH SPILLS CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION TO SHORT OUT. BASED ON THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER IS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT SPILLING WHEN FACED WITH A SUDDEN STOP OR A HOLE IN THE ROAD. I REQUESTED THE REPAIR TO BE COVERED BY MERCEDES BENZ BUT THEY REFUSED TO HONOR MY REQUEST. SINCE THE DESIGN IS SO FLAWED, AND THE DAMAGE TO ELECTONIC EQUIPMENT SO FORESEEABLE IT IS WRONG TO DO THIS TO CONSUMERS. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10155791
Incident
Mar 15, 2006
Mileage
17,900 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 16, 2005

SPARE TIRE FOLDS OVER WHEN INSTALLED IN A TURN UNDER 55 MPH LEAVING CAR EXTREMLY UNSTABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117970
Incident
Feb 18, 2005
Transmission
Filed Apr 8, 2005

ON MONDAY, APRIL 4TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CLK55 CONVERTIBLE TO MY OFFICE, GOING 55 MPH AND LOST ALL POWER. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR GOING AGAIN, WITH NO SUCCESS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN DRIVE A FEW MILES PER HOUR TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE TRANSMISSION ARE BROKEN. THE TORQUE CONVERTER PART HAS BEEN ORDERED FROM GERMANY, AND IT IS ON BACKORDER FOR THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, IT COULD HAVE LED TO A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO YOU TO MAKE YOU FORMALLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER INDIVIDUALS. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF A $2 BILLION MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANY, AND HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED IN OUR BUSINESS WITH AN OPERATING ROOM PRODUCT, OR ANY CRITICAL DEVICE, WE WOULD BE OBLIGED TO IMMEDIATE FULLY INVESTIGATE AND NOTIFY THE FDA IF A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10116614
Incident
Apr 4, 2005
Mileage
5,600 mi
Seat beltsTransmission
Filed Jan 6, 2005

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM ARM MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED FOR LEAKING FLUID, AND NOT CHANGING GEARS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10106935
Incident
Jun 7, 2004
Airbags
Filed Nov 30, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. *NM *SC

NHTSA ID
10101418
Incident
Aug 17, 2004

Manufacturer communications

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

LI27.60-P-059296

POWER TRAIN

Selector lever blocks in position "P" (brake applied)

LI68.05-P-059193

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink

LI83.00-P-052510

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Malfunctions of various control units and/or on-board power supply problems caused by water in the control unit tray under the driver/front passenger seat (dislocated, pinched or leaking condensation hose)

2006020008

POWER TRAIN

INSPECT TRANSMISSION PILOT BUSHING AT ELECTROCHYDRAULIC UNIT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY. THE TRANSMISSION PILOT BUSHING MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE CONTROL UNITS WITH NON-TEMPERED SEALING RINGS WHICH MAY CAUSE A SMALL LEAK TO OCCUR. *TT UPDATED 04-11-07. *KB

2003110006

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

INSTALLATION OF WIRING HARNESS ADAPTER FOR ENGINE COOLING FAN MALFUNCTION. *TT

010104

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2003 SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *JB

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 Clk Class by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006310—
2005000—
2004Viewing720—
2003101049.3
2001140233.6
2000103—

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.