2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 Owner Complaints

THE INTERIOR OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND BURNT. UPON CLOSE EXAMINATION ALL OF THE WIRING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE HEADLAMP ENCLOSURE WAS DETERIORATED. THE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE WIRES WERE CRUMBLING AND HAD FALLEN APART, BARE WIRES HAD BEEN TOUCHING INSIDE OF THE HOUSING. THE WIRING ON THE INTERIOR OF THE HOUSING IS NOT EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. THE WIRING ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSING EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS EXHIBITS THE SAME FAILURE, IN THAT THE PROTECTIVE INSULATING PLASTIC COATING IS DETERIORATED AND EXPOSED COPPER WIRES ARE TOUCHING EACH OTHER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10712547

Incident

Apr 20, 2015

Mileage

156,000 mi

WE JUST PURCHASED A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 430. FOR BARELY TWO WEEKS AND CAN'T DRIVE IT. WE ARE HAVING MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE TRUNK TO OPEN BECAUSE OUR BATTERY IS TOTALLY DEAD. WE CANNOT JUMP CABLE THE CAR BECAUSE THE BATERY IS IN THE TRUNK AND THE TRUNK WILL NOT EVEN OPEN WITH THE MANUAL KEY THAT IT COMES WITH. I HAVE CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AND DO EXACTLY WHAT I WAS ASK TO DO BUT STILL DIDNT WORK. I WENT ON YOU TUBE, GOOGLE, AND SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR ANSWERS BUT NOTHING. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR CLK'S CONVERTIBLE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER AND A DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE. THIS IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT FROM THE MAKER AND THAT WAS UNEXPECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10573653

Incident

Mar 10, 2014

I OWN A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT SPORADIC FAILURE OF THE ABS, BAS, ESP SYSTEMS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE. ON OCCASIONS THE GAS PEDAL STICKS AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP TO DANGEROUS SPEED. THE CAR HAS TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND ONCE STOP AND RESTART, IT WOULD RUN NORMAL AGAIN, AND THE CAR SHOWS "NO MALFUNCTION". RECENTLY ON JULY OF 2013, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SPED UP ON IT OWN AND ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE ABS/BAS/ESP REPORTED AS FAILED, BUT THE CAR DID STOP WHEN I PUT IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY THE BRAKE. I TOOK TO MERCEDES-BENZ AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM I WANT THEM TO RUN THE "COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS" AND I WANT THEM TO GIVE ME THE REPORT. BELOW ARE A FEW OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURES THAT ARE ON THE REPORT: ETC - ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CODE 120 THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SPEED OF THE TRACTION SYSTEM IS SPORADICALLY IMPLAUSIBLE CODE 121 THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SPEED OF THE TRACTION SYSTEM IS SPORADICALLY IMPLAUSIBLE ME2-SFI - MOTOR ELECTRONICS 2.8 CODE P20DD-001 B37 (ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR) : SIGNAL 1 / SHORT CIRCUIT TO POSSITIVE / POTENTIONMETER ABOVE MAXIMUM VALUE (P0123) ESP - ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM CODE C1504-009 THE SYSTEM IS SWITCHED OFF. CODE C1100-001 L6/1 (LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR) CODE C1101-001 L6/2 (RIGHT FRONT SPEED SENSOR) EZS - ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH CODE B1156-005 THE CONTROL UNIT HAS SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND OR OPEN CIRCUIT. TELE AID [USA] - TELEMATIC SYSTEM CODE N1100 NO SIGNAL IS RECEIVED FROM THE RIGHT-SIDE SPEED SENSORS. CODE N1101 NO SIGNAL IS RECEIVED FROM THE LEFT-SIDE SPEED SENSORS. I SEARCHED ON GOOGLE AND FOUND MANY OWNERS REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THEIR ABS/BAS/ESP SYSTEMS WITH CLK430 ON WWW.MBWORLD.ORG I BELIEVE THESE ARE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS AND MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL THE CLK430 AND FIX THE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10534614

Incident

Aug 2, 2002

Mileage

12,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN A CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL OR REVERSE, WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL AS A RESULT. THE CHILD THEN TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT IT WAS REPAIRED FOR BODY DAMAGES. A COMPLAINT WAS ALSO FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REKEYED, WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10412231

Incident

Jul 11, 2011

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LED PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 MERCEDES CLK 430 HAS BECOME MORE OF A PROBLEM WITHIN THE PAST MONTH. IT HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY NOW. WHENEVER I START THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR INDICATOR DOES NOT INDICATE WHICH GEAR I'M IN AND THE CAR PROCEEDS IN LOW MODE UNTIL I PULL OVER AND RESTART IT. THE SAFETY HAZARD LIES IN THE FACT THAT I DON'T CHECK MY GEAR INDICATOR CONSTANTLY, SO IF IT FAILS AND I DON'T NOTICE, THE LOW/SLOW MODE THAT THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO COULD GET ME KILLED ON ANY STREET WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS AT LEAST 35. THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THE PAST YEAR AND MY SAFETY SEEMS TO BE IN JEOPARDY MORE AND MORE AS THE THESE ISSUES INCREASE IN SEVERITY. I MADE THE FINANCIAL SACRIFICE FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE MERCEDES ARE SUPPOSE TO BE SOME OF THE SAFEST VEHICLES ON THE ROAD......IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT CONSUMERS IN MY SITUATION DON'T HAVE A VOICE WHEN WE'RE SIMPLY INNOCENT VICTIMS IN THE MAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10401158

Incident

Apr 2, 2011

Mileage

165,456 mi

SHIFT LEVER INOPERATIVE/ ERRATIC: 2000 CLK430 BEING DRIVEN WHEN TRANSMISSION REFUSED TO SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR, THEN SECOND GEAR, AND FINALLY NOT AT ALL! HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP, SHOP FOUND SHIFTER HAD GONE BAD. I DIDN'T KNOW THE TRANSMISSION WAS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. $1500 LATER IT NOW RUNS OUT FINE. MILEAGE WAS 77K. *TR

NHTSA ID

10368110

Incident

May 12, 2010

Mileage

77,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THE PIXELS IN THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD WERE SCRAMBLED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN TO BE EXAMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,099.

NHTSA ID

10334128

Incident

May 1, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR DISPLAY LIGHTS NO LONGER ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AS A RESULT, HE HAS DIFFICULTY SEEING WHAT GEAR IS BEING USED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ID

10268256

Incident

Jan 1, 2003

Mileage

25,000 mi

FRONT BUMPER COVER / AIR DAM BROKE ON ORDINARY WHEEL STOP IN PUBLIC PARKING LOT. CAR HAS INADEQUATE CLEARANCE AND FRONT BUMPER COVER / AIR DAM IS CONSTRUCTED SO THAT IT HOOKS ON WHEEL STOPS AND BREAKS. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU PARK IF YOU BRING THE FRONT TIRES TO WITHIN A FOOT OF THE WHEEL STOPS. ACCORDING TO MBUSA, THE FRONT BUMPER COVER IS AN AIR FOIL / SAFETY DEVICE PROVIDING STABILITY TO THE CAR. ONCE IT IS BROKEN, THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER COVER HAS TO BE REPLACED, BUT OF COURSE IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10247537

Incident

Jun 30, 2000

Mileage

3,000 mi

CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF AT TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH TRAFFIC BUILD UP BEHIND ME. AFTER AN HOUR OF WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK, IT SUDDENLY STARTED AGAIN. TOOK IT TO GARAGE WHICH CHANGED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FOR $308.55. APPARENTLY, FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES CLK CARS!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10217128

Incident

Feb 4, 2008

Mileage

76,000 mi

THE FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO BE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND AND PARKING LOT WHEEL BUMPERS ARE HIGHER. WHEN PARKING THE 2000 CLK MODEL 430, THIS MISMATCH CAUSES THE PLASTIC BUMPER TO DRAG ALONG THE CONCRETE BUMPER STOP, AND BECAUSE OF VERY WEAK DESIGN OF THE BUMPER, IT WILL CRACK THE BUMPER AT ITS WEAKEST POINTS, CAUSING THE BUMPER TO HANG LOOSE AND BECOME A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE BUMPER SHOULD BE RECALLED TO BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT IS HIGHER FROM THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10214700

Incident

Dec 14, 2007

Mileage

48,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LED CLUSTER DISPLAY LIGHTS ARE NOT VISIBLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $1200.00. SHE STATED TEN TO FIFTEEN PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10205797

Incident

Oct 15, 2007

Mileage

80,000 mi

LED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT FUNCTION. CANNOT SEE GEAR I AM IN OR TIME, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ETC.

NHTSA ID

10202951

Incident

May 19, 2006

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIXELS ON THE CLUSTER ARE DEFECTIVE. HE STATED THAT HE CAN ONLY SEE HALF OF THE PIXELS ON THE SCREEN. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID

10194270

Incident

Jun 26, 2007

Mileage

75,000 mi

CLUSTER DEFECT. SCREEN IS SCRAMBLED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10175065

Incident

Mar 30, 2004

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CPS) FAILED ON MY 2000 CLK 430. WAS REPLACED BY DEALER FOR $296. FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES, INCLUDING ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ENGINE SHUTS OFF OR REFUSES TO TURN OVER WHEN HOT (ALTHOUGH BATTERY KEEPS CRANKING), THEN AFTER 20-30 MINUTES IT TURNS ON FINE WHEN COOLED DOWN. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161748

Incident

Jul 2, 2006

Mileage

59,000 mi

I HAD A MICHELIN LOW PROFILE TIRE LOSE PRESSURE AND IT FAILED AT 30 MPH. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED IN ONE PIECE FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. I HAD JUST EXITED I-10 AND IF THE TIRE HAD FAILED AT 60 MPH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING. I HAVE THE TIRE (7600 MILES) AND PICTURES. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOOK AT ONE AND DETECT A LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL FROM THE CARS INSTRUMENTATION IF A TIRE IS LOSING PRESSURE UNTIL IT FAILS AND COMES APART. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161067

Incident

May 15, 2006

Mileage

7,678 mi

2000 MERCEDES CLK 430 WATER SPILLED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE RESULTING IN THE SHIFTER BECOMING INOPERATIVE. *MR *SC

NHTSA ID

10134481

Incident

Aug 1, 2005

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED THE FAILURE ON THE QUALITY OF GAS IN THE STATE. A FACTORY REP REFUSED TO COME OUT BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10083399

Incident

Sep 17, 2003

Mileage

20,000 mi

WHILE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE IN USE AND IT'S RAINING THERE IS A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD WHICH MAY CAUSE VISUAL DIFFICULTIES, AND MAY RESULT A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED WINDSHIELD AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

NHTSA ID

875314

Incident

Jul 1, 2000