2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, 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
- Electrical125.0%
- Fuel system125.0%
- Interior & seats125.0%
- Transmission125.0%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TODAY, I WAS INFORMED BUY THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER SERVICE SPECIALIST AT INTAKE, AT THE ONLY DEALER IN FAYETTEVILLE N.C. 3203 BRAGG BLVD. WHEN TAKING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE THAT THE REVERSE CAMERA FOR BACKING UP SAFELY, COAXIAL CABLE WAS DAMAGED CAUSING THE CAMERA TO MALFUNCTION DUE TO OPENING AND CLOSING THE TRUCK. APPARENTLY, THE TRUCK SLICES THE COAXIAL CABLE EACH TIME YOU OPEN AND CLOSE THE TRUCK UNTIL THE CABLE BREAKS, STOPPING THE CONNECTION OF THE CAMERA TO THE VIEWER. I DON'T BELIEVING THIS DEFECT IN THE USE OF THE TRUCK CAUSING THE CABLE TO BE CUT UP SHOULD BE AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE TO FIX EACH TIME IT HAPPENS FROM SIMPLY USING OUR TRUNKS. I ALSO HAVE A DISABILITY RETIREMENT DUE TO INJURES TO MY NECK AND BACK WORKING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, AND THAT BACK UP CAMERA HELPS TO INSURE SAFE BACK UPS FOR PEOPLE SUCH AS MYSELF. *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
I SMELL GAS FUMES IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. I AM WORRY BECAUSE THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG WERE THE BABY CAR SEAT IS, HE IS INHALING ALL THAT FUMED.
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
SITTING @ RED LIGHT NOT MOVING AND BOTH HEAD RESTS DEPLOYED. HADN'T HIT ANY POT HOLES NOR WAS MY VEHICLE JARRED IN ANY WAY. HAD TO PAY $165 FOR DEALER TO RESET THEM AS IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY....UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF THE HEADREST MECHANISM MUST BE DEFECTIVE TO DEPLOY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS SITTING PERFECTLY STILL. UPDATED 12/9/2015 *JS
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ CLS 550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AFTER BEING SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND DRIVEN OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CODES NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 04/25/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THERE WAS A LONG DELAY TO ENGAGE. UPDATED 05/02/12
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 .