2013 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 2013 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
- Brakes120.0%
- Electrical120.0%
- Fuel system120.0%
- Powertrain (other)120.0%
- Seat belts120.0%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I brought the car to my Mercedes dealer for a State required safety and emissions inspection. It passed but they said the rear brake line were rusted and needed replacement at a cost of $2546.00. This model and numerous others were recently provided an extended warranty for rusted subframes. This is a $5-$7K repair. They do not cover the brake lines or include them as part of the repair. The sub-frame rust from the inside out so it is not initially obvious of impending failure. There is a pending class action lawsuit against MBUSA that mentions the failure to include the brake line and other components. The rusted brake lines are indicative of internal rust of the subframe. I am facing potential brake failure if I don't act on this expensive repair when clearly Mercedes is not acting in good faith to repair the entirety of their faulty components.
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
Car looses communication with the Electronic Ignition System (keyless system) and while rolling to a stop light, slams the car into park while still rolling. It also will throw itself into park while first accelerating - almost causing the car following me to crash into my rear end.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUEL HAD LEAKED FROM UNDER THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE LOCAL DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
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
Car looses communication with the Electronic Ignition System (keyless system) and while rolling to a stop light, slams the car into park while still rolling. It also will throw itself into park while first accelerating - almost causing the car following me to crash into my rear end.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
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 .