RoadVitals

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
11
Latest Aug 23, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
30%
of 37 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Aug 23, 2021

I've just bought the car and it has only 70k, the engine doesn't want to go, it stalls but there is no check engine light on, I'll be driving and the car will just die, or start to diminish, and gas consumption , now all my lights fail, high beams, low beams, turn signals, Brake lights one after another, so I go to auto zone to purchase lights and one of the associates comes to help me, he stares that all the we ires are exposed,

NHTSA ID
11430148
Incident
Aug 1, 2021
Driver assistanceEngineSuspension
Filed Jun 23, 2019

THE DEALER SOLD THE CAR WITHOUT DISCLOSING THE MULTIPLE SAFETY ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE CAR; SUCH AS, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM, CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, ENGINE INSTABILITY, EMISSIONS DECEPTION, AND ODOMETER ACCURACY, AND FLOOD DAMAGE. DURING THE GENERATION OF THE PURCHASE, THE DEALER INSINUATED THE CAR WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS BUT THE VEHICLE'S HISTORY REPORTED 3 THAT I DISCOVERED 'AFTER' I PURCHASED THE CAR. REGARDING PROOF OF ENGINE INSTABILITY, I COULD NOT UPLOAD THE VIDEO ON THIS FORM.

NHTSA ID
11221966
Incident
Feb 26, 2019
Engine
Filed Dec 1, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A FAULTY BALANCE SHAFT, WHICH ULTIMATELY CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF ORANGE PARK (7018 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
11051743
Incident
Nov 3, 2017
Mileage
30,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2017

MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2004 & 2007 & EQUIPPED WITH MERCEDES' M272 HAVE A FAULTY BALANCE SHAFT WHICH WAS NOT PROPERLY ANEALED, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR. THE SUBJECT ENGINES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE GEARS IN THEIR BALANCE SHAFTS. THESE DEFECTIVE GEARS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, EXCESSIVELY, AND CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO OTHER EXPENSIVE ENGINE COMPONENTS WITHOUT WARNING. REPAIR REQUIRES REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE AND WAS QUOTED AT $7000-$8000 BY THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. MOST OTHER IMPORT SHOPS DO NOT WANT TO EVEN ATTEMPT THE REPAIR DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED ON THIS ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO (WE WERE NEVER EVEN NOTIFIED) BUT ONLY THOSE WHO HAD THE ISSUE AT THE TIME COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SETTLEMENT'S DISCOUNTED REPAIR COSTS (IT WAS A TERRIBLE SETTLEMENT!). WE DID NOT HAVE THE ISSUE UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO AT AROUND 77000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE, STALL OR BREAK DOWN COMPLETELY. MERCEDES BENZ AND ITS DEALERSHIPS BASICALLY SAY, OH WELL, YOU GOT A LEMON. WE ALSO CANNOT POSSIBLY PASS THE EMISSION TEST WITHOUT REPAIRS THAT COST MORE THAN THE BLUEBOOK VALUE OF THE CAR - WHICH HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED AND GARAGED SINCE PURCHASE. WE BELIEVE THIS BALANCE SHAFT MANUFACTURING FLAW PRESENTS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A MANDATORY RECALL AND REPAIRED ENTIRELY AT MERCEDES' EXPENSE.

NHTSA ID
11000641
Incident
Jun 9, 2017
Mileage
77,914 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 8, 2014

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MERCEDES DEALER REPLACED CAMSHAFT SENSOR THE VEHICLE HAD 52500 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR. THEY STATED IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THE CAMSHAFT PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAS 68000 MILES NOW AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO THIS VEHICLE. IT CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PREMATURE ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT IN A LAWSUIT FOR ME AND MAKE IT A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST MERCEDES BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL CONSUMERS WITH THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM AND MERCEDES ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10578249
Incident
Mar 5, 2012
Mileage
52,500 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2013

CLK 2006 DEFECTIVE BALANCE SHAFT/TIMING CHAIN: PURCHASED OUR CAR NEW, HAVE MAINTAINED IT AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, ALL RECOMMENDED REPAIRS AND SERVICES COMPLETED WHEN RECOMMENDED AND DUE, ALL DONE AT THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED OUR CAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MONTHS AGO, FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH, HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WITHOUT WARNING, ON JULY 18, 2013 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT W/ TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WILL PAY FOR THE PARTS; $1,700, HOWEVER AT THIS TIME HAS NOT ALLOTTED FUNDS TO COVER THE LABOR, WHICH THEY NEED TO DO TO MAKE THIS RIGHT, TOTAL QUOTE $7,300. AT THIS POINT WE DO NOT KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. PEOPLE BUY A MERCEDES BECAUSE THEY ARE THE BEST AND A THE LEADER IN THE INDUSTRY. I EXPECT THEM AT THE LEAST TO COVER ALL EXPENSES RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE PARTS OR PAY US THE PURCHASE PRICE OF OUR CAR SO WE CAN START OVER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532024
Incident
Jul 18, 2013
Mileage
123,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 15, 2013

AFTER ONLY 80,000 MILES, MY $55,000 CAR NOW NEEDS $5,200 WORTH OF REPAIRS TO FIX A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE BALANCE SHAFT. WITHOUT THIS REPAIR, DRIVING MY CAR IS UNSAFE, YET MERCEDES IS NOT OFFERING TO HELP FIX A PROBLEM THEY CREATED. ADD MY NAME TO THE LONG LIST OF MERCEDES OWNERS DISSATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF A MERCEDES; THEIR FAILURE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKE AND THEIR TOTAL LACK OF CONCERN FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524796
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 2, 2011

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2006 MB 350 CLK. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WAS TOLD IT WAS A BALANCE SHAFT ISSUE AND WOULD COST ABOUT $5000 TO REPAIR. *KB

NHTSA ID
10416677
Incident
Dec 1, 2010
Mileage
78,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 9, 2011

THE '06 CLK 350 I AM ABOUT TO PURCHASE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTICS FOR THE CEL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BALANCE SHAFT, WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO MISFIRING AND OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS. I DO NOT KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS, OR EVEN WHEN THE CEL FIRST CAME ON. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE ENGINE MUST BE REMOVED AND TORN DOWN TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, AND THE COST WILL BE UPWARDS OF $4000. IT HAS LESS THAN 54000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10405800
Incident
Jun 9, 2011
Mileage
53,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 17, 2011

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BALANCE SHAFT CONCERN.*TR

NHTSA ID
10383145
Incident
Oct 20, 2010
Engine
Filed Nov 19, 2007

2006 CLK 350 COUPE / CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVELS (MESSAGE). I'VE OWNED MY CAR SINCE MARCH 18, 2007. I'M WRITING TO INFORM YOU THAT I HAVE RECEIVED A MESSAGE THREE TIMES STATING "CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVELS" THE MESSAGE CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JULY 2007. I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND I ARRIVED AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THEY CLOSED AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE, SO THEY PLACED OIL IN MY CAR AND TURNED ME AWAY. THANKFULLY A VERY PROFESSIONAL YOUNG MAN FROM THAT SAME DEALERSHIP RECTIFIED THIS EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND HAD A TALKING TO THE MAN THAT TURNED ME AWAY. MY CAR WAS MISDIAGNOSED. A WEEK LATER THE SAME LIGHT CAME ON. CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL. AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, I CALL MERCEDES BENZ ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY ASKED ME NOT TO ADD ANY OIL AND TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I TOOK IT TO MD SAN DIEGO. THEY CONDUCTED AND OIL CONSUMPTION TEST TO FIND WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEY ASKED ME TO COME BACK IN 1,000 TO 1,200 MILES OR IF THE LIGHT CAME ON. AUGUST 7, 2007 - I WAS NEAR NEWPORT BEACH, AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY HAD TO RE-DO THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BECAUSE THE TEST NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP EACH TIME. (I QUESTIONED THE VALIDITY OF THIS STATEMENT). THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO COME BACK IN 1,000 - 1,200 MILES OR WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN 1,000 MILES (AUGUST 2007) TO THE NEWPORT BEACH DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND MERCEDES BENZ WOULDN'T AUTHORIZE THE (WARRANTY) WORK FOR THE ENGINE TO BE TAKEN APART TO FIND OUT WHERE THE OIL IS GOING TO. IT IS NOW NOVEMBER 19, 2007 AND THE SAME LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING MY CAR BACK IN. HOPEFULLY THEY CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM THIS TIME, OR IT MIGHT BE THAT I HAVE BEEN SOLD A LEMON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10209333
Incident
Nov 19, 2007
Mileage
24,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .