2008 Mercedes-Benz Clk 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz Clk, 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
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
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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 .