RoadVitals

2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
19
Latest Jul 15, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
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.
5

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320, 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

  • Electrical624.0%
  • Airbags520.0%
  • Seat belts416.0%
  • Body & structure312.0%
  • Visibility28.0%
  • Interior & seats14.0%
  • Engine14.0%
  • Tires & wheels14.0%
  • Transmission14.0%
  • Driver assistance14.0%

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

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320 THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JUNE 9, 2017. THE ENGINE IS MELTED AND DESTROYED LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED DESPITE IT HAPPENED AROUND A BUSY AREA. I AM COMPLETELY IN SHOCK STILL, NOT KNOWING WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED UNTIL I CAME ACROSS A WEBSITE STATING THAT OTHER MERCEDES BENZ MODELS HAVE HAD THEIR ENGINES CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE MORE THAN ONCE IN CONSECUTIVE ATTEMPTS. (WHILE READING THAT LAST PARAGRAPH, I DO RECALL TRYING TO DO JUST THAT SINCE THE CAR DECIDED TO STALL ON ME). I REMEMBER I WAS WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION TO MAKE A TURN INTO A U.S. POST OFFICE PARKING LOT AREA. HOWEVER, BEFORE I COULD EVEN MAKE THE TURN, IT STALLED ON ME IN THE INTERSECTION. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO START IT AS PEOPLE BEGAN HONKING THEIR HORNS AT ME WITHOUT ANY LUCK. ON THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE TRY I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE AND PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. I DID NOT GIVE A THOUGHT OF WHY THE MERCEDES GAVE ME STARTING PROBLEMS JUST A MINUTE AGO AS I GRABBED MY PURSE AND HEADED TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILE I GOT IN LINE,I STARTED TO HEAR PEOPLE YELL ABOUT A FIRE-A CAR FIRE. WE ALL WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE THIS AND AS I GOT A GOOD LOOK AT IT, I REALIZED THAT WAS MY CAR ON FIRE. I CALLED 911 WHILE I WAS SHAKING.

NHTSA ID 11001570 · filed Jun 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE FUMES THAT OMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID 10615371 · filed Jul 22, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

NHTSA ID 10821305 · filed Jan 20, 2016

2003 MERCEDES (CONVERTIBLE) 350 CLK TRAVELING APPROX 35 MPH ON 2-LANE ROAD VEERED RIGHT AND STRUCK A PARKED CAR, CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $20,000 DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE MERCEDES (TOTAL LOSS). NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, ALTHOUGH THE REAR SEAT ROLL BARS DID DEPLOY. DRIVER HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL, SUFFERING CONCUSSION. APPARENTLY THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10328049 · filed Apr 29, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ON MAR. 18, 2017 I WAS IN A PARKING LOT PREPARING TO LEAVE. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE MECHANISM THAT BRINGS THE SEAT BELT FORWARD SO I CAN GRAB IT BEGAN TO MOVE BACK AND FORWARD ERRATICALLY. WHEN IT STOPPED THE SEATBELT FAILED TO COME ALL THE WAY OUT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND THE MECHANISM CAME OUT LIKE IT SHOULD BUT THE SEATBELT WOULDN'T COME OUT. I PLAYED WITH SEATBELT UNTIL I GOT IT TO COME OUT, HOWEVER, IT WOULDN'T RETRACT TO FIT SNUG AGAINST MY BODY. I SHUT OFF THE CAR AGAIN AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND THE MECHANISM CAME OUT AS IT SHOULD BUT THE SEATBELT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. I TRIED TO MANUALLY RETRACT THE SEATBELT BUT IT DIDN'T WORK SO I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT A SEATBELT.

NHTSA ID 10966695 · filed Mar 18, 2017

I OWN A 2003 CLK320 COUPE. YESTERDAY, I TOOK MY CAR INTO FRESNO MERCEDES AND WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY TREATMENT. THE UPPER DRIVER'S SEAT IS COMING APART AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS A DEFECT. THINGS CHANGED WHEN THEY REALIZED THE WARRANTY HAD RECENTLY EXPIRED AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DEFECT. IT SUDDENLY BECAME A "GOTCHA" SITUATION AND UNPLEASANT. I UNDERSTAND WARRANTY EXPIRATION, BUT DO NOT UNDERSTAND RUDE ATTITUDE. I WAS NOT EVEN GIVE THE NUMBER OF WHO MERCEDES USES TO REPAIR "DEFECTS" THERE ARE TWO MERCEDES IN THIS HOUSEHOLD AND BMW IS LOOKING BETTER ALL OF THE TIME. *JB

NHTSA ID 10181882 · filed Feb 7, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320 THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JUNE 9, 2017. THE ENGINE IS MELTED AND DESTROYED LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED DESPITE IT HAPPENED AROUND A BUSY AREA. I AM COMPLETELY IN SHOCK STILL, NOT KNOWING WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED UNTIL I CAME ACROSS A WEBSITE STATING THAT OTHER MERCEDES BENZ MODELS HAVE HAD THEIR ENGINES CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE MORE THAN ONCE IN CONSECUTIVE ATTEMPTS. (WHILE READING THAT LAST PARAGRAPH, I DO RECALL TRYING TO DO JUST THAT SINCE THE CAR DECIDED TO STALL ON ME). I REMEMBER I WAS WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION TO MAKE A TURN INTO A U.S. POST OFFICE PARKING LOT AREA. HOWEVER, BEFORE I COULD EVEN MAKE THE TURN, IT STALLED ON ME IN THE INTERSECTION. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO START IT AS PEOPLE BEGAN HONKING THEIR HORNS AT ME WITHOUT ANY LUCK. ON THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE TRY I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE AND PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. I DID NOT GIVE A THOUGHT OF WHY THE MERCEDES GAVE ME STARTING PROBLEMS JUST A MINUTE AGO AS I GRABBED MY PURSE AND HEADED TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILE I GOT IN LINE,I STARTED TO HEAR PEOPLE YELL ABOUT A FIRE-A CAR FIRE. WE ALL WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE THIS AND AS I GOT A GOOD LOOK AT IT, I REALIZED THAT WAS MY CAR ON FIRE. I CALLED 911 WHILE I WAS SHAKING.

NHTSA ID 11001570 · filed Jun 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DROVE OVER THREE ROAD BUMPS AND THE ROLLOVER BAR IN THE REAR HEAD RESTRAINT DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY EACH TIME. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE ROLLOVER BAR BACK INTO PLACE THE FIRST TWO TIMES. THE THIRD TIME, HE HAD AN ISSUE PUTTING THE ROLLOVER BAR BACK DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS ONLY A 20 PERCENT CHANCE THAT THE ACTUAL ROLLOVER BAR COULD BE REPAIRED. OTHERWISE, HE WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE ENTIRE ROLLOVER BAR SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

NHTSA ID 10355575 · filed Sep 14, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUNROOF GLASS BONDING SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF WAS RUSTED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE RUST WAS LEADING TO STRUCTURAL INSTABILITY OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S WAS SERIAL NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 19V918.

NHTSA ID 11424913 · filed Jul 15, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11322761 · filed Apr 29, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I OWN A 2003 CLK320 COUPE. YESTERDAY, I TOOK MY CAR INTO FRESNO MERCEDES AND WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY TREATMENT. THE UPPER DRIVER'S SEAT IS COMING APART AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS A DEFECT. THINGS CHANGED WHEN THEY REALIZED THE WARRANTY HAD RECENTLY EXPIRED AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DEFECT. IT SUDDENLY BECAME A "GOTCHA" SITUATION AND UNPLEASANT. I UNDERSTAND WARRANTY EXPIRATION, BUT DO NOT UNDERSTAND RUDE ATTITUDE. I WAS NOT EVEN GIVE THE NUMBER OF WHO MERCEDES USES TO REPAIR "DEFECTS" THERE ARE TWO MERCEDES IN THIS HOUSEHOLD AND BMW IS LOOKING BETTER ALL OF THE TIME. *JB

NHTSA ID 10181882 · filed Feb 7, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320 THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JUNE 9, 2017. THE ENGINE IS MELTED AND DESTROYED LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED DESPITE IT HAPPENED AROUND A BUSY AREA. I AM COMPLETELY IN SHOCK STILL, NOT KNOWING WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED UNTIL I CAME ACROSS A WEBSITE STATING THAT OTHER MERCEDES BENZ MODELS HAVE HAD THEIR ENGINES CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE MORE THAN ONCE IN CONSECUTIVE ATTEMPTS. (WHILE READING THAT LAST PARAGRAPH, I DO RECALL TRYING TO DO JUST THAT SINCE THE CAR DECIDED TO STALL ON ME). I REMEMBER I WAS WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION TO MAKE A TURN INTO A U.S. POST OFFICE PARKING LOT AREA. HOWEVER, BEFORE I COULD EVEN MAKE THE TURN, IT STALLED ON ME IN THE INTERSECTION. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO START IT AS PEOPLE BEGAN HONKING THEIR HORNS AT ME WITHOUT ANY LUCK. ON THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE TRY I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE AND PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. I DID NOT GIVE A THOUGHT OF WHY THE MERCEDES GAVE ME STARTING PROBLEMS JUST A MINUTE AGO AS I GRABBED MY PURSE AND HEADED TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILE I GOT IN LINE,I STARTED TO HEAR PEOPLE YELL ABOUT A FIRE-A CAR FIRE. WE ALL WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE THIS AND AS I GOT A GOOD LOOK AT IT, I REALIZED THAT WAS MY CAR ON FIRE. I CALLED 911 WHILE I WAS SHAKING.

NHTSA ID 11001570 · filed Jun 26, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 MERCEDES BENZ SUFFERED THREE TIRE SIDEWALL FLATS. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHEN THE DEALER WENT TO REPLACE A DAMAGED TIRE, THEY FOUND THAT THE REMAINING TIRES ONLY HAD 2MM OF TREAD LEFT. THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT BUTTON WAS REPLACED. WATER LEAKED FROM THE TOP CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10117539 · filed Apr 4, 2005

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES CLK 320. SHE HAS HAD FAILURES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE MAY 2004. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A GRINDING NOISE, OFTEN HESITATED, AND FELT AS THOUGH IT HAD SLIPPED GEARS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING THE VEHCICLE'S SPEED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL STALLING INCIDENTS. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,800 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID 10184527 · filed Mar 8, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES CLK 320. SHE HAS HAD FAILURES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE MAY 2004. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A GRINDING NOISE, OFTEN HESITATED, AND FELT AS THOUGH IT HAD SLIPPED GEARS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING THE VEHCICLE'S SPEED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL STALLING INCIDENTS. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,800 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID 10184527 · filed Mar 8, 2007

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

Data on this page last refreshed .