2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 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 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350, 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
- Fuel system1428.6%
- Airbags714.3%
- Powertrain (other)510.2%
- Driver assistance48.2%
- Electrical48.2%
- Engine48.2%
- Visibility36.1%
- Seat belts24.1%
- Body & structure24.1%
- Exterior lighting12.0%
- Interior & seats12.0%
- Tires & wheels12.0%
- Transmission12.0%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK, THERE IS A VERY STEONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SMELL IA THERE UTIL AT LEAST HALF THE TANK IS USED. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN WITH "E" SERIES. MB ISSUED A RECALL. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR 2007 CLK350 EVENTHOUGH SAME PARTS ARE USED TO DELIVER THE FUEL.
WHEN I FILL MY CAR UP I CAN SMELL GAS IN MY GARAGE. ONCE I DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE AND IT GETS BELOW A HALF TANK OR SO I DON'T SMELL THE GAS ANYMORE. I AM WORRIED THAT THE GAS SMELL IN THE GARAGE MADE SOME FUMES INTO MY HOUSE AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I SEE SOME MODELS OF MERCEDES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON. I WOULD LIKE MERCEDES TO RECALL AND REPAIR THIS AT NO CHARGE TO ME. APPARENTLY MERCEDES COVERS MODEL YEAR 2003 TO 2009 ON THE E CLASS IN 2006 TO 2011 ON THE CLS CLASS. I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. *BF *TR *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH and making a turn, the contact became aware of an abnormal sound, and the driver's side roof air bags and driver's side door air bag inadvertently deployed. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact's neighbor later informed the contact that the rear driver's side tire was flat. The contact inspected the tire and noticed a blowout of the sidewall. The vehicle was towed to Costco, where the tire was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact stated that he had not been provided the diagnostic test information. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised the contact to be patient. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
SRS LIGHT COMES ON. HAD VEHICLE SCANNED AND APPEARS TO BE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG BUT DOESN'T SAY WHICH ONE. AFTER DELETING THE CODE, THE LIGHT STAYS OFF UNTIL SOMEONE RIDES WITH ME. ONCE THEY GET OUT THE LIGHT COMES ON. THE DIGITAL RING ON THE DASH THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL FLASHES IN SECTIONS AND INTERMITTENTLY. CANNOT FIND ANY CODE OR REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM ANYWHERE. NOT INTERNET AND NO CODE STORED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WOULD BE STOCK ON 1ST OR 3RD GEAR WITHOUT ANY ERROR CODE ENGINE LIGHT OR TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON. THAT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME. ON TAKE OFF AT RED LIGHT OR CRUISING ON 5TH 6TH OR 7TH SHIFT. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH NO MECHANICAL ISSUES. I AM GUESSING IT IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC OR HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STALLS UNINTENTIONALLY. A RESTART OF VEHICLE FIXES THE ISSUE.
I SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT APPEARED TO BE STUCK IN HIGH GEAR AND DID NOT SHIFT BACK DOWN TO A LOW GEAR. THIS HAPPENED TWICE OVER A 3 WEEK PERIOD. BOTH TIMES I ALMOST CAUSED A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT BY BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MB DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CONDUCTOR PLATE SENSOR BOARD THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION. THE FIX WAS $1300 TO REPLACE THE UNIT.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SRS LIGHT COMES ON. HAD VEHICLE SCANNED AND APPEARS TO BE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG BUT DOESN'T SAY WHICH ONE. AFTER DELETING THE CODE, THE LIGHT STAYS OFF UNTIL SOMEONE RIDES WITH ME. ONCE THEY GET OUT THE LIGHT COMES ON. THE DIGITAL RING ON THE DASH THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL FLASHES IN SECTIONS AND INTERMITTENTLY. CANNOT FIND ANY CODE OR REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM ANYWHERE. NOT INTERNET AND NO CODE STORED.
I SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT APPEARED TO BE STUCK IN HIGH GEAR AND DID NOT SHIFT BACK DOWN TO A LOW GEAR. THIS HAPPENED TWICE OVER A 3 WEEK PERIOD. BOTH TIMES I ALMOST CAUSED A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT BY BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MB DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CONDUCTOR PLATE SENSOR BOARD THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION. THE FIX WAS $1300 TO REPLACE THE UNIT.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT A SLOW SPEED AND THE CAR JUST QUITS. SOMETIMES IT WILL START ITSELF BACK UP AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TURN IGNITION OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THE CAR WILL JUST QUIT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AFTER SOME QUICK THINKING AND REALIZING WHAT JUST HAPPENED THE ONLY THING TO DO IS DRIFT TO THE BERM OF THE ROAD WITH NO PWR STEERING OR BRAKES. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES WHEN I START THE CAR IT WILL QUIT AND TAKES TWO TO THREE MORE TRIES. ALSO HAD A SEVERE RAW GAS COMING FROM THE CAR AFTER A FILL UP. THE GAS FUMES WERE SO SEVERE THAT WE HAD TO PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE FOR FEAR OF AN EXPLOSION IN OUR GARAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MB DEALER IN PITTSBURGH AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE GAS PROBLEM AS THE GASKETS AROUND THE GAS TANK WERE DRY-ROTTED AND I PAID APPROX $600.00 FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH I FEEL THAT MB SHOULD HAVE COVERED SINCE AT 66000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. AS USUAL THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE STALLING ISSUE. MB KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE IT DOESN'T SHOW UP ON THERE COMPUTER HOOK-UPS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAPPENS TOO. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, CAM SHAFT SENSOR AND VALVES HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
EVERY MERCEDES FROM THE YEAR 2005-2008 WITH THE M272 V6 ENGINE AND M278 V8 ENGINE GETS A CODE CALLED P0016-P0017 WITCH IS THE RIGHT HAND SIDE CAMSHAFT INTERNALLY TO GO BAD. MBUSA HAD A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AND IT STATES THAT NON OF THE CARS HAVE THAT ISSUE WHEN IN REALITY THEY DO MBUSA STATES THAT THE CAR IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD IN THE YEAR 2015 BUT IN THE CLASS ACTION IT CLEARLY STATES 10 YEARS OR 125,000 MILES. IVE CALLED MBUSA MANY OF TIMES BUT NO REPLY PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THE BONDING BETWEEN THE GLASS PANEL AND THE SLIDING ROOF FRAME DETERIORATED WHICH RESULTED IN THE TWO PARTS SEPARATING. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE LOCAL DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF LONG BEACH (2300 E SPRING ST, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755, (562) 374-7759) WHERE IT EXPLAINED OVER THE PHONE THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT GOING TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEALER HAD TO REPAIR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,835.
TL* THE CONTACT'S PARTNER OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS PARTNER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHADE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FELL ONTO THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN FRANCISCO LOCATED AT 500 8TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUN SCREEN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT UNLESS THERE ARE ASSISTED MANUALLY, IF NOT NOTICED THEY HANG OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IF A DRIVER HAD DELIVERED A PASSENGER TO A DESTINATION AND THAT PASSENGER FAILED TO ASSIST THE SEAT BELT INTO THE ENCLOSURE AND EXITED LEAVING A PORTION OF THE BELT DRAGGING ON THE GROUND AND POSSIBLY GETTING CAUGHT ON A OBSTRUCTION OF SOME TYPE, OR CAUSING SOME UNINTENDED ACTION. *TR
MERCEDES CLK 350 IS A COUPE MODEL. WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FORWARD TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE REAR SEAT, THE FRONT SEAT HEADREST AUTOMATICALLY RETRACTS INTO THE SEAT. THE HEADREST GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN SO THAT THERE IS NO SPACE BETWEEN THE HEADREST AND THE TOP OF THE SEAT BACK. IF ONES HAND IS THERE AS SUPPORT WHILE GETTING IN, THE HAND IS CAUGHT AND HELD UNTIL THE SEAT BACK IS BROUGHT BACK INTO THE PROPER POSITION. THE FORCE IS SO STRONG AND THE MATERIAL ON THE HEADREST AND SEAT BACK SO FIRM THAT THEY CAN BREAK A FINGER OR A CHILDS HAND. *JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
The glued seam on the convertible top has come unglued above the back window. The car has been garage kept and only has 66,000 miles. When riding down the road, I am afraid the top may continue to peel back and try to come loose. This isn't only a safety concern, it is a security concern, and protection from weather. It seems to be a known issue in the Mercedes forums.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY SUN ROOF GLASS BLEW OFF OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT OPEN AT THE TIME. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE IF ANYONE WAS HIT. I DID NOT SEE ANYONE. MERCEDES BENZ DOES NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY IF ANYONE WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT, OR SWERVED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED TO ASSURE THAT THIS TYPE OF SITUATION DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS A PRODUCT LIABILITY SITUATION AND THIS SHOULD BE NOTED SOMEWHERE. *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 contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear taillights became inoperable and would not illuminate as designed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 49,000.
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
MERCEDES CLK 350 IS A COUPE MODEL. WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FORWARD TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE REAR SEAT, THE FRONT SEAT HEADREST AUTOMATICALLY RETRACTS INTO THE SEAT. THE HEADREST GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN SO THAT THERE IS NO SPACE BETWEEN THE HEADREST AND THE TOP OF THE SEAT BACK. IF ONES HAND IS THERE AS SUPPORT WHILE GETTING IN, THE HAND IS CAUGHT AND HELD UNTIL THE SEAT BACK IS BROUGHT BACK INTO THE PROPER POSITION. THE FORCE IS SO STRONG AND THE MATERIAL ON THE HEADREST AND SEAT BACK SO FIRM THAT THEY CAN BREAK A FINGER OR A CHILDS HAND. *JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE SEPARATED FROM OUTER WALL ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP .WHEN I DID TIRE ROLLED OFF OF CAR IN FRONT OF ME DOWN THE ROAD. *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
THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP IN LOW GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION WON'T CHANGE GEARS. *KB
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 .