2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK320

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

THE SFLOOR SHIFTER AND LINKAGE JUST WENT OUT RANDOMLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE COMPLACENT AND NON-REPAIRABLE WITHOUT ANY FAULT OR DAMAGE BY ME OR PREVIOUS OWNER THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS BEEN UNSERVICEABLE AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ORIGINAL DISCONTINUED PART AND I BELIEVE ALL 2000 CLK 320 BENZ CABRIOLET MODELS HAVE THE SAME DEFECT WITHIN THE LINKAGE AND SHIFTER WHICH IS IT BECOMES STUCK AND GEARS LOCK CAUSING INABILITY TO GO INTO GEAR AND SAFELY MANUVER THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS MADE TO BE MANUVERED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BENZ SERVICE CENTER AND STILL WAS UNABLE TO BE FIXED BASICALLY THE SOLENOID GOES OUT WITH THE SHIFTER THEN THE VEHICLE BECOMES INOPERABLE OR STARTABLE WHILE THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN PERFECT CONDITION A COMPONENT IS CAUSING MAJOR LOSSES AND SAFETY HAZARDS. GEAR SLIPPING AND MISFIRES AS WELL TO THE ECM UNIT. AS WELL AS SENSOR ISSUES CAUSING EMISSIONS FAILURES AND FALSE READS.

NHTSA ID

11713026

Incident

Aug 3, 2025

EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE FAILED THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE MECHANICAL AND SHOULD NOT FAIL REMAINS FAILED WHETHER ELECTRICAL POWER IS ON, ACCESSORY IS POWERED OR SWITCH IN CA IN, ALSO REMAIN FAILED WITH KEY

NHTSA ID

11153622

Incident

Nov 24, 2018

Mileage

225,000 mi

P-7OO- I'M HAVING SAME CODE FROM LAST YEAR. I REPLACE WHAT NEED BE REPLACE. I BROUGHT RECEIPTS THAT CAME UP TO BE $1100. IT WILL NOT PASS EMISSION. I HAVE GOTTEN A EXTENSION THAT EXPIRE 05/16/18. I'M TIRED!!!

NHTSA ID

11094144

Incident

Apr 16, 2018

THIS CAR HAD NO MECHANICAL ISSUES. THE CAR WAS STARTED AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS PUT DOWN. WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. TWENTY MINUTES LATER SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE HOOD VENT NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER USED ON THE SITE OF THE SMOKE. CAR WAS STARTED TO CHECK FOR POSSIBLE PROBLEM AREA. ALL INDICATORS WERE GOOD. CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. FEW MINUTES LATER, FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER FOOTWELL AND THEN SPREAD TO THE ENGINE AREA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE ENGINE AND CAR INTERIOR WERE BURNED AND THE AIR BAGS EXPLODED.

NHTSA ID

10409767

Incident

Jun 25, 2011

Mileage

32,000 mi

THE SRS WARNING (AIR BAG) LIGHT ON MY MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 STAYS ON. THE LIGHT WAS RESET BY A LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IN 2007 BUT CAME BACK ON 1 MONTH LATER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10220017

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10198954

Incident

Sep 12, 2006

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR, DATE, AND TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT FULLY ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE MILEAGE INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,450 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID

10197913

Incident

Mar 1, 2006

Mileage

82,000 mi

MERCEDES BENZ CLK320 W208 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LED PROBLEM. IT HAS A FAULTY DISPLAY READOUTS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING. IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM SINCE YOU CAN'T SEE WHICH GEAR YOU ARE IN AND THAT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER ERROR THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. IT ALSO HAS PROBLEMS DISPLAYING TEMPERATURE AND TIME, BUT THE MAIN CONCERN IS THE DISPLAY OF GEARS! *JB

NHTSA ID

10197713

Incident

Jul 27, 2007

Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor housing leaks. 3.2. Pump fitting leaks. 3.3. Washer fluid hose cannot be snapped into place on pump fitting. 3.4. Washer fluid hose will not stay on pump fitting, although connector OK. 4. Washer fluid line. 4.1 Connector will not stay on pump fitting because it is broken. 4.2 Sealing ring in connector missing. 4.3 Sealing ring in connector fitted, but deformed and therefore leaks. 4.4 Damage to washer line by animal. 5. Seal on heating washer fluid reservoir/washer fluid reservoir. Remedy Replace defective component parts only. Do not replace any adjacent component parts that are intact. Note: Repair kits for washer line hoses do exist to allow patches for line damage.

Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. Seating of the microphones in the headliner. Side edges are covered by the textile cover (see picture "1") B. Assembly of microphones (B25/20 or B25/21) in the headliner. C. Dirt inside the microphone housing Remedy 1. Press finger on rear of microphone (on adhesive tape) 2. Remove microphone cap from the front 3. Eliminate protruding material residues of the microphone cutout at the headliner, e.g. with a soldering iron. The microphone must be seated in the headliner as shown in picture "2". 4. Push microphone from behind until it is firmly pressed into the headliner 5. Maintain pressure and press/clip cap into microphone from the front. Note: The cover cap must be clearly heard and felt to engage. 6. This procedure must be carried out on both microphones (B25/20 and B25/21) Note: • It is recommended to replace the cover caps. • The non-woven cloth in the cover cap protects the microphone from soiling and must not be removed. NOTE: The information contained in this document is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge to properly and safely perform diagnosis and repairs on Mercedes-Benz vehicles, using Mercedes-Benz approved tools and equipment. It informs service technicians about conditions that could occur in certain vehicles and provides information that could assist in proper vehicle diagnosis, service, or repair. It does not indicate that a defect is present in any vehicle referenced in this document nor does it imply warranty coverage. DO NOT assume that a symptom or condition, or a described cause of a symptom or condition, affects any particular vehicle or groups of vehicles, or that a described repair applies to any particular vehicle or groups of vehicles. There can be multiple causes resulting in the same or similar symptoms or conditions described in this document, and trained professional service technicians must use their diagnostic skills to make evaluations on a case-by-case basis. The information contained in this document does not guarantee warranty coverage nor does it extend the vehicle’s warranty in any way.

Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. A leak test must be performed to determine if physical fogging exists or if the headlamp is leaky. Remedy In advance, observe LI82.10-P-078301 "Headlamps or Front Fog Lamps Leaking or Fogged". 1. Prepare headlamp/check for external damage: For headlamps with a closed system 1. Check the headlamps for any external damage and check also for correct seating of the Gore-diaphragm/correct latching of the cover caps. 2. If the headlamp exhibits any external damage, replace the headlamp. For headlamps with an open system 1. Check the headlamps for any external damage and seal off the vent then make sure the cover caps are latched correctly into place. 2. If the headlamp exhibits any external damage, replace the headlamp. Note: A headlamp with external damage is not a warranty or goodwill case. 2. Leak test of headlamp with overpressure: • Connect test adapter to pressure tester. (Figure 1) • Check test adapter for leak tightness. To do so, connect plug and coupling (picture 2) and apply a maximum overpressure of 30 mbar. The pressure must remain constant. If the pressure does not remain constant, use a new adapter. • Seal all the outlet openings using sealing compound and the given diaphragm with the plunger (picture 3). (Picture 4) Make allowance for the different headlamp variants here (there are different outlet openings). • Check if the headlamp needs to be removed to gain access to the diagnostic socket on the headlamp housing. • Plug the adapter onto the diagnostic socket on the headlamp housing. (Picture 5). • Apply a maximum of 30 mbar overpressure to the headlamp housing. Note: If the maximum overpressure of 50 mbar is exceeded the headlamp seal will be damaged. • If a pressure drop of less than 10 mbar is measured within 30 seconds, the headlamp is not leaky and the problem is down to natural physical fogging. • If a pressure drop of more than 10 mbar is measured within 30 seconds, the headlamp is leaky. Note: The leaky position can be localized with the aid of soap suds. Replace any leaky headlamps. Note: Desiccant packs can be installed for headlamps that are not leaky. See: • LI82.10-P-064766 Fogged headlamp, desiccant pack installed - open ventilation system • LI82.10-P-078304 Fogged headlamp, desiccant pack installed - closed ventilation system

Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. Headlamps comply with all applicable standards. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the lamp unit is a "closed system". Remedy Headlamp: Remedy 1 Clearing fogged/condensed LED headlamps and LED rear lamps: 1. Drive vehicle into workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4 °F) and connect the exhaust extraction. Note: Do not perform an engine wash before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the hood or trunk. 4. Switch on the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Clearing fogged/condensed halogen/xenon headlamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4°F). Note: Do not perform an engine wash before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine. 3. Open the hood. 4. Switch off the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Note: If there is no visible reduction in the formation of condensation, check the headlamp for a defect. (See Remedy 2) It is not physically possible to defog the headlamps completely. Fogging does not impair the operation or the service life of the headlamp. Remedy 2 A Damaged headlamp can be identified as follows: 1. Check the headlamp for external damage and that the cover caps and the diaphragm are correctly seated. 2. Check the electrical connectors of the plugs and pins. 3. Check for leak tightness in accordance with LI82.10-P-078307. The test can only be conducted on headlamps. 4. If the headlamp or the rear lamp has any external damage, replace the component part in accordance with the WIS instructions. Note: External damage to the headlamp/rear lamp or faulty seating of the cover caps does not present a warranty or goodwill case. With headlamps, it is possible to install desiccant packs if the problem occurs repeatedly. Open ventilation system: LI82.10-P-064766. Closed ventilation system LI82.10-P-078304

Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical impairment of the rear lamps. Remedy Rear lamp: Remedy 1: Clearing fogged/condensed rear lamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4 °F) Note: Do not wash the vehicle or subject it to high-pressure cleaning before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the trunk. 4. Switch on the exterior lighting. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation -> a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (defogging progress).

Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage • Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). • Objects wedged between the seat backrest and seat cushion (e.g. seat belt buckle). • Light initial creases due to vehicle handling. • Light creases in the outer covers originating from the production process (missing finish). Heat treatment of the seat covers using heat gun and plastic wedge. Be very careful to not overheat the seat material!