RoadVitals

2008 Mercedes-Benz Clk

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.
4
Latest Mar 10, 2014
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.
1
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.
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Clk, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and interior & seats categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 5 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

  • Brakes120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Interior & seats120.0%
  • Exterior lighting120.0%
  • Transmission120.0%

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

1 campaign 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

Safety investigations

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

EA13008ClosedEngineering Analysis

Loss of rear lighting assembly

Opened Dec 20, 2013
Closed May 12, 2014

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) or illuminate dimly.In some reports, complainants also alleged that the failure was accompanied by a burning smell emanating from the trunk of the vehicle.When examined, these vehicles showed evidence of overheating at the lighting assembly harness connector, including damaged (blackened) wiring and plastic.The rear lighting failures typically involved one side of the vehicle however in some cases both assemblies failed (although probably not simultaneously).ODI identified 5 fire and one injury allegations during the course of this investigation.Two fires occurred while the vehicles were parked.One originated in the vicinity of the driver?s side light assembly where the fire and associated damage was confined to the trunk area, and the fire self extinguished due to oxygen starvation.As a result of the fire, the vehicle was repurchased by Mercedes and salvaged.The second fire originated on the passenger's side and required fire department response to extinguish; the fire damaged the tail light and surrounding body panels as well as the trunk area and wiring.The vehicle was repaired and returned to service.Two firesoccurred while the vehicle was being driven.In the first instance, the driver detected an odor and pulled over to observe smoking and a small flame at the lighting assembly wiring in the trunk.The owner was able to extinguish the fire before any significant damage occurred.In the second instance, the driver smelled smoke, pulled over, and opened the trunk to find smoke and sparks emanating from the forward facing side of the tail light.The driver was able to extinguish the sparks and drive the vehicle to the dealer. A fifth fire was reported by a fleet manager who observed a vehicle with fire damage originating near one of the tail light assemblies.The injury incident occurred when a technician burned their hand while diagnosing a failed light.The technician touched the tail light wiring which was hot enough to burn him although the injury did not require medical attention.On April 10th, 2014, Mercedes notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy the rear light assemblies in approximately 252,867 MY 2008 - 2011 C-Class vehicles including the C300, C350 and C63 AMG models.Each rear light assembly has separate bulbs that act as brake, tail lamp, backup and turn signal indicators.The bulbs are mounted in a bulb carrier which uses a common electrical ground circuit at the harness connection.According to Mercedes, oxidation due to the use of dissimilar metals on the harness and bulb carrier electrical connectors can result in increased resistance and a subsequent dimming or loss of lighting function.The heat caused by the increased resistance/oxidation can also lead to the melting of the surrounding plastic, or in some cases, present a fire hazard.In conducting recall 14V-171, Mercedes dealers will inspect the left and right bulb carriers and harness connectors for the presence of dissimilar electrical connectors and/or evidence of related thermal damage; affected bulb carriers and/or harness connectors will be replaced free of charge.Mercedes notes that service replacement bulb carriers produced from January 2012 eliminate the dissimilar metal condition and that these bulb carriers will not requ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGLed to recall 14V177000

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 10, 2014

THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRUNK SIMPLY FELL OFF. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE THAT SIMPLY JUST WENT AHEAD AND GOT IT FIXED WITHOUT POSTING IT. THIS IS A DEFECT WHERE THE RED LENS SEPARATES FROM THE LIGHT HOUSING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER SHOWS RED WHEN BRAKING. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTINUES TO RE-OCCUR EACH TIME IT IS REPLACED AT A COST OF $352.50 EACH TIME, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING YOU LOOSE YOUR BRAKE LIGHT. MERCEDES BENZ IS APPARENTLY STICKING THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND OVER THIS ONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568245
Incident
Mar 7, 2014
Mileage
51,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 27, 2010
1 injury reported

I HAVE SENT A COMMUNICATION TO MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC ON 7/15/2010, NEXT DAY AFTER MY INJURY FROM ONE OF THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC FEATURE (HEAD REST AUTOMATICALLY THRUSTS DOWN WHEN THE LEVER IS LIFTED AND SEAT MOVES FORWARD). IT'S A 2 DOOR SPORTS VEHICLE, SO IT WILL BE ALWAYS THE ACTION OF THE CONSUMER/VEHICLE OWNER TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE BACK SEATS. ON 7/14/2010 @ AROUND 1900: MY RIGHT ARM FLESH/SKIN GOT WEDGED/MANGLED INTO THE HEAD REST 'STEEL' OF THE CAR PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE HEAD- REST-STEEL AUTOMATICALLY RAMMED/THRUST/PUSH LOWER CONTINUOUSLY DOWNWARDS; WHILE I WAS GETTING THINGS FROM THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR-MB (MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 350, YEAR 2008 MODEL) CAR. MY OUTER RIGHT ARM AREA (ABOUT AN INCH PROXIMAL TO MY WRIST) WAS RESTING ON THAT PART OF THE SEAT WHEREIN I NEEDED TO LIFT THE LEVER/MECHANISM TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD WHEN THE STEEL CAUGHT MY SKIN/FLESH AND PRESSED IT INSIDE THE INSERTION CONTINUOUSLY. MY HUSBAND TOOK PHOTOS OF MY INJURY AND BROUGHT ME TO THE ER AFTERWARDS - DUE TO THE CONTUSION AND WOUND (V SHAPED) I SUFFERED FROM THE INCIDENT. MY ARM LOOKED LIKE IT WAS BURNED AND VERY SWOLLEN. I LOOKED INTO THE MERCEDES SAFETY MANUAL - AND IT DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE SAFETY PURPOSE OF THAT AUTOMATIC FEATURE OF THE MERCEDES CLK 350. I OWN 2 BRANDS OF CARS USUALLY (LEXUS AND MB) - OTHER BEST CARS - DOES NOT HAVE THIS FEATURE REALLY (SO IT'S NOT ACTUALLY A SAFETY FEATURE THAT IS PROVEN TO MEET THE SAFE OUTCOME FOR ALL VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS - WHATEVER MERCEDES INTENDS FOR IT TO PROTECT, ALL THE MORE IT BECOMES HAZARDOUS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, SPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN). I CAN NOT FATHOM, IF INSTEAD OF MINE ' THAT AN INFANT OR A CHILD'S ARM SKIN/FLESH/FINGERS GETS CAUGHT IN IT; THEN MAYBE, MERCEDES BENZ WILL BE BY THAT TIME RE-DESIGN OR RE-ENGINEER THAT FEATURE ' WHICH CAN BE TOO LATE BECAUSE INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED IN ASSOCIATION TO IT ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10345740
Incident
Jul 14, 2010
Mileage
25,257 mi
Filed Mar 23, 2010

THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT PULLED AWAY FROM THE ANCHOR PLUG AND KEEPS MOVING TOWARD THE GAS AND BREAK PEDDLES. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES BUT BECAUSE OF TALK OF SUCH A CONDITION CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH A GAS OR BREAK PEDDLE I HAD TO PURCHASE AN ENTIRE SET OF NEW MATS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD MAT.

NHTSA ID
10321556
Incident
Feb 1, 2010
Mileage
11,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 3, 2009
Crash reported

2008 CLK 550 - TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN DRIVE, WHEN SHIFTER INDICATED THAT CAR WAS IN PARK. WE WERE ADVISED THAT A SHIFT LINKAGE CLIP BROKE. THE CAR DROVE UNCONTROLLED INTO A LOW WALL DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED 5 MINUTES BEFORE IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10282730
Incident
Aug 29, 2009
Mileage
17,600 mi

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)

LI05.10-P-058758

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine noises (rattling) after engine start

LI82.85-P-055696

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

COMAND: No sound, SDARS message in central display "Device Unavailable"

LI-05-20-P

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MERCEDES-BENZ: THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON WITH MULTIPLE POSSIBLE TROUBLE CODES STORED. THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAMSHAFT AND/OR SCORING OF A PISTON. *RM

SB-32-25-82

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM; SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

MERCEDES-BENZ: SHOCK ABSORBER PROCEDURE. *RM

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009001—
2008Viewing411—
2007310—
2006100—
2005100—
2004000—
2003200—
2002200—
2001200—
2000100—
1999000—
1998301—

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.