2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK500, 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 system420.0%
- Electrical315.0%
- Tires & wheels315.0%
- Exterior lighting210.0%
- Airbags210.0%
- Steering210.0%
- Powertrain (other)15.0%
- Seat belts15.0%
- Interior & seats15.0%
- Engine15.0%
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
GAS TANK LEAKS, CAR IN MOTON IN THE STREET
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL ALL AROUND THE AUTOMOBILE. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THE CEL WILL COME ON WITH CODE P0456. A SMOKE TEST OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK SHOWED THERE WAS A LEAK. PART NO: W0133-2075480. THIS PART IS THE SAME DESIGN AS WHAT IS ON THE CLS. THIS SAME FUEL SMELL ISSUE IS ON THE E CLASS AND CLS CLASS AND A WARRANTY EXTENSION HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 15 YEARS BUT NOTHING FOR THE CLK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH HEAT AND FUEL AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MERCEDES NA . AFTER DISCUSSING WITH MERCEDES THEIR STANCE IS THIS IS A NORMAL WARE ITEM. I DO NOT BUY IT.
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
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK500. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 147,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN EMPTY READING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,760.
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 size: 245/40/17 Had a blowout without any warning, causing me to hit the center console and mirror receiving cuts and bruises. Immediately was pulled to the side of the road. When I got out to see what had happened, the rubber separated from the tire, which knocked off the back end of my car, scraped the entire passenger side of the car, knocking off the door handle and unclear as to what it damaged underneath my car. I have filed a complaint with the company, dealt with a Jesse Han and contacted the CEO Darren Thomas in regards to repairing the damage done. This has gone on since June and they keep giving me the run around. There are multiple problems with Sumitomo tires and the company owes for damages
While driving at 60mph on the a highway, without warning the passenger rear tire had a blowout. I immediately pulled off the road and when looking to see what happened, clearly seen was the rubber from the tire completely separated from the tire, causing major damage to my car. The rubber that came unattached ripped the passenger door handle off, scratched up the entire passenger side of my car, ripped off the passenger rear bumper and underneath damage as well. When taking the tire to try and get replaced, the manager of Walmart told me this was definitely a tire manufacturer defect and I should seek for the manufacturer to cover all damage due to this defect. I have filed a complaint with Sumitomo and I have gotten no response or help with this matter. In the meantime my car is not drivable due to this damage. Because they have taken no responsibility, I am filing a complaint with The Dept. Of Transportation in order to get something done.
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
LOW BEAM IS OUT, DISCOVERED THAT ON BOTH SIDES ALL THE HEADLIGHT WIRES HAVE LOST ALL THE INSULATION. PICTURES CAN BE TEXTED.
DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER, CAR EVENTUALLY GAINED POWER AND ACCELERATION, ONCE DRIVING SLOWER THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF AFTER ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD CAME ON. SELLING DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS A SENSOR BUT THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING ALWAYS FLICKER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, A MESSAGE READING "THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SRS, SEE A MECHANIC SOON" ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE AIR BAGS. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS IN BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER, CAR EVENTUALLY GAINED POWER AND ACCELERATION, ONCE DRIVING SLOWER THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF AFTER ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD CAME ON. SELLING DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS A SENSOR BUT THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING ALWAYS FLICKER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. *TR
DATE OF PURCHASE WAS 01/10/2005 SERVICE#1.1ST WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS ON 01/18/2005 MILEAGE IN WAS 788 MILES, THE FRONT & REAR, BOTH HAD TO BE RE-ALIGNED, REPLACED PARTS WERE WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-L SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-R SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND CAR WAS TESTED TO VERIFY PULL TO THE RIGHT, THEY FOUND CAMBER ON LEFT FRONT OUT OF SPECS ALSO VEHICLE HAS A 0.14 SPLIT IN CASTER R&R TWO LOWER ENCAP PANELS INSTALL CASTER KIT ON RIGHT FRONT AND INSTALL CAMBER KIT ON LEFT FRONT PERFORM FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT ROAD TEST CAR AFTER THE CAR WAS COMPLETED. SERVICE #2. AT 1,766 I REQUESTED ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AGAIN. SERVICE #3 04/25/2005 AT 6174 MILES AND 05/10/2005 AT 6,310 MILES AFTER HIGH SPEED PANIC STOP ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTH A SEMI TRAILER TRUCK SWERVED INTO THE PASSING LANE CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID THE TRAILER ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IMMEDIATELY CAUSED THE CAR TO BEGIN TO SHAKE, SHIMMY AND RATTLE DOWN THE FREEWAY UNTIL I COULD REACH A SAFE STOPPING POINT. I COULD NOT STOP ON THE FREEWAY I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT AND TRAFFIC WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. THIS PANIC STOP REQUIRED ME TO GET ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT. SERVICE #4. 06/21/05 AT 8,548 MILES SERVICE DIRECTOR OF MERCEDES-BENZ TOM FOX TEST DROVE MY CAR AND HE AGREED THAT THE CAR PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT CHANGING LANES BY IT''S SELF. THE CARS WINDOWS ALSO DO NOT ROLL UP ALL THE WAY, THEY REACH THE TOP AND THEN ROLL BACK DOWN HALF WAY. THE HOOD (FIRE) INSULATION HAS SHRUNK AND RIPPED OFF THE TOP OF THE HOOD AND IS FALLING INTO THE ENGINE. TOM STATED WHEEL ALIGNMENT IN NOT TOTALLY FIXABLE, THE WINDOW MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE HOODS FIRE INSULATION ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN DIEGO IS ALLOWING ME TO PICK UP MY CAR TOMORROW 06/27/2005. THEY (MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN DIEGO) ARE TYING TO TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR TO PULL TO THE RIGHT?
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
DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER, CAR EVENTUALLY GAINED POWER AND ACCELERATION, ONCE DRIVING SLOWER THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF AFTER ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD CAME ON. SELLING DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS A SENSOR BUT THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING ALWAYS FLICKER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. *TR
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
The driver side seat belt. The seat belt won't retract. Yes, the seat belt is available for inspection upon request. The driver side seat belt is useless, because there is no tension in restrain your body from moving. No, the dealer will not fix the issue. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership. No warning lamps, messages, etc... prior to the driver side seat belt failed.
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE DRIVER SEAT WAS FOLDED FORWARD AND BACKWARD, IT WOULD LOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND CAUSED ALL OTHER ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS FOR THAT SEAT TO FAIL; THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WOULD FAIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SEAT RAILS, FRAME AND MADE ALL OTHER NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
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
DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH AND ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED; ALL OF THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING WENT OUT. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, AND PUT IT IN PARK. THAT NIGHT HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND UNTIL TODAY THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
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 .