2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class, 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
- Airbags110.0%
- Body & structure110.0%
- Brakes110.0%
- Engine110.0%
- Fuel system110.0%
- Interior & seats110.0%
- Other / unspecified110.0%
- Powertrain (other)110.0%
- Transmission110.0%
- Visibility110.0%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOR OVER 60 DAYS, MERCEDES HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE PARTS TO THEIR DEALERSHIP IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS TO ACCOMPLISH A REPAIR FOR SAFETY RECALL #2006-020005. *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
OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS DESPITE MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. SPECIFICALLY WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF WARRANTY DEFECTS INCLUDING: - WINDSHIELD FLUID CLOGGING - SUNROOF MOTOR REPAIR - DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE - BATTERY/ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - CRACKED KEYS - RADIO FAILURE - SEAT ADJUSTMENT KNOB FALLING OFF (2X) - CENTER CONSOLE BREAKAGE - REAR VIEW MIRROR DIMMING PROBLEMS THE MOST DISTURBING ISSUE TO DATE WAS THE CAR RECENTLY SHUTTING DOWN POWER WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME ON A MAJOR FREEWAY. HE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE AND DIMINISHED STOPPING POWER. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.
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
OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS DESPITE MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. SPECIFICALLY WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF WARRANTY DEFECTS INCLUDING: - WINDSHIELD FLUID CLOGGING - SUNROOF MOTOR REPAIR - DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE - BATTERY/ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - CRACKED KEYS - RADIO FAILURE - SEAT ADJUSTMENT KNOB FALLING OFF (2X) - CENTER CONSOLE BREAKAGE - REAR VIEW MIRROR DIMMING PROBLEMS THE MOST DISTURBING ISSUE TO DATE WAS THE CAR RECENTLY SHUTTING DOWN POWER WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME ON A MAJOR FREEWAY. HE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I FILLED THE FUEL TANK, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF GAS FUMES. THE WHOLE GARAGE SMELLED STRONGLY OF GAS FUMES AND GAS WAS DRIPPING ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. IF THE HOT WATER HEATER DECIDED TO IGNITE, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIMILAR ISSUE TO NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA 13-003. THE CLS CLASS AND THE E CLASS SHARE THE SAME CHASSIS AND FUEL TANK. IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE EXPAND YOUR INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE CLS CLASS VEHICLES. *TR
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
OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS DESPITE MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. SPECIFICALLY WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF WARRANTY DEFECTS INCLUDING: - WINDSHIELD FLUID CLOGGING - SUNROOF MOTOR REPAIR - DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE - BATTERY/ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - CRACKED KEYS - RADIO FAILURE - SEAT ADJUSTMENT KNOB FALLING OFF (2X) - CENTER CONSOLE BREAKAGE - REAR VIEW MIRROR DIMMING PROBLEMS THE MOST DISTURBING ISSUE TO DATE WAS THE CAR RECENTLY SHUTTING DOWN POWER WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME ON A MAJOR FREEWAY. HE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS DESPITE MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. SPECIFICALLY WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF WARRANTY DEFECTS INCLUDING: - WINDSHIELD FLUID CLOGGING - SUNROOF MOTOR REPAIR - DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE - BATTERY/ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - CRACKED KEYS - RADIO FAILURE - SEAT ADJUSTMENT KNOB FALLING OFF (2X) - CENTER CONSOLE BREAKAGE - REAR VIEW MIRROR DIMMING PROBLEMS THE MOST DISTURBING ISSUE TO DATE WAS THE CAR RECENTLY SHUTTING DOWN POWER WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME ON A MAJOR FREEWAY. HE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
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
MY SPRINTER 2500 DIESEL VAN YEAR 2006 JUST SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I AM DRIVING ALONG ON A MAIN STREET IN SAVANNAH AND THE VAN JUST SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN. THEY KEEP REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR BUT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ANSWER. I NEED HELP. MY HUSBAND IS TOTALLY WHEELCHAIR BOUND AND HE IS IN THE VAN. I REALLY NEED HELP! *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
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE WAS EITHER TURNED OFF AND BACK ON OR PLACED INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT AFTER 1000 MILES, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE VALVE BODY BUT AFTER TWO MONTHS THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT AWAITS ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND A COMPLAINT WAS TAKEN. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - *NM
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
OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS DESPITE MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. SPECIFICALLY WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF WARRANTY DEFECTS INCLUDING: - WINDSHIELD FLUID CLOGGING - SUNROOF MOTOR REPAIR - DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE - BATTERY/ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - CRACKED KEYS - RADIO FAILURE - SEAT ADJUSTMENT KNOB FALLING OFF (2X) - CENTER CONSOLE BREAKAGE - REAR VIEW MIRROR DIMMING PROBLEMS THE MOST DISTURBING ISSUE TO DATE WAS THE CAR RECENTLY SHUTTING DOWN POWER WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME ON A MAJOR FREEWAY. HE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
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 .