2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Owner Complaints

After the Mercedes dealer replaced the corroded rear sub frame under the 20 year extended warranty, my brake line failed so I took it back & found out that the brake lines were corroded. I paid nothing for the subframe since it was under the warranty but I ended up paying $4114 to replace the corroded brake lines. The dealer should have checked for corrosion while the subframe was out of the car, especially since this is a known issue. The parts were only $380 and $3800+ was labor. My brakes completely failed while driving on Christmas Eve. I took the car to the dealership on 12/26/25 and they told me that the car was unsafe to drive & I had to leave it. This should be covered by Mercedes under the rest subframe warranty since from what I’ve read, is a related issue. This was extremely dangerous. I was scheduled to travel back to NY, almost 300 miles from VA, where I got the car fixed. The dealership did not do their due diligence when the rear subframe was replaced so they had to drop the subframe to fix the brake lines, resulting in the huge labor charge. I got the upgraded nickel lines to avoid corrosion in the future but this is definitely a safety hazard that could have put me and my family in complete danger, had I not gone out on Christmas Eve to grab something from the store. I am looking for reimbursement from the dealership and/or MB for the extra hours of labor that they charged me. This brake issue is very concerning and was extremely scary. My brake went all the way to the floor, all the lights came on and this happened without any type of prior warning. Something needs to be done to make sure that the brake line repair is also done at the same time that the rear subframe is done. Also, after the brake line was repaired, I had an issue with the brakes. I did not have this issue prior to the brake line replacement & now they are asking me to pay $1300 for front brakes & rotors. I had no issues with my brakes at all, nor did any sensors go off.

NHTSA ID

11711966

Incident

Dec 24, 2025

I just had 2 tires replaced and on the way home I hit a pothole both front air shocks failed. I filed a claim and the insurance company won’t pay out either. Normal wear and tear does not make both air shocks failed.

NHTSA ID

11704776

Incident

Mar 15, 2025

have a 2014 cls-550 with extensive subframe rust. It is currently sitting at the dealership for $3,158 in repairs for a vehicle that is less than 10 years old. There needs to be a recall on the subframe for the c, cls, e, and like models. This is not the Mercedes’-Benz quality I expected. After extensive research, members all over the globe are experiencing the same issue. This isn’t user error. It’s manufacturer error. You need to make this right with your customers. Period. I have attached photos of my subframe. I’m severely disappointed with having to perform major maintenance on a vehicle with only 82k miles. This needs to be a recall. I cannot stress this enough. Stand by your product. You’re more than welcome to contact me. My vehicle will be in the shop for over a week and no loaner vehicle is available for use. The car is currently at Mercedes Benz of South Mississippi. I have owned multiple Mercedes’ products from c class, clk class, and two cls550s. This is what I sent to Mercedes Benz corporate. This was the response: Thank you so much for contacting Mercedes-Benz USA regarding your concerns of the condition of your 2014 CLS550's rear subframe. We understand the circumstances you've faced as a result of your vehicle's required repairs, and we are delighted to guide you in the best direction as a valued member of our Mercedes-Benz family. Our goal is always to advocate for our customer's concerns. While we would love to cover all repairs outside of warranty terms, it's simply unrealistic. It is our recommendation that you submit your photos to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, as they are an entity that can investigate any considerations for recalls based on customer's claims. Your concerns will be documented to your account with Mercedes-Benz as well. We hope you find the following information useful, and we wish you all the best.

NHTSA ID

11496131

Incident

Sep 9, 2022

Front passenger assembly strut went out suddenly while driving almost caused an accident.No warning signs just gave out. Vehicle is in the shop but cannot be repaired because the part is out of stock and no ETA on when vendor will restock them.

NHTSA ID

11468097

Incident

May 21, 2022

WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN GARAGE, WE BEGAN NOTICING A PROFUSE GAS/FUEL SMELL. IT BECAME INCREASINGLY STRONG IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 3 DAYS AFTER SMELL WAS NOTICED, I CONTACTED THE LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP TO ADVISE OF THE ISSUE. I ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, AND DISCOVERED THAT PREVIOUS YEARS SPECIFICALLY; 2006-2011 CLS CLASS VEHICLES EXHIBITED THE SAME DEFECT WHICH WAS ADDRESSED WITH THE NHTSA AND TO WHICH MB-USA AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR "COVERED FUEL TANK COMPONENTS" FROM THE ORIGINAL 4 YEARS TO 15 YEARS. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE LEFT SIDE SENDER UNIT TO BE CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE COVERED COMPONENTS. HOWEVER, THEY ADVISED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE (I.E. IT BEING NEWER). AS SUCH, I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS VEHICLE RENTAL NEEDED DURING THE TIME OF REPAIRS. THE STRONG ODOR AND FUMES OF FUEL STEMMING FROM A COMPONENT DEFECT POSES A SEVERE SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD, WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR IGNITION FROM STRAY SOURCES, DIZZINESS, HEADACHES, ETC. THIS IS A QUALITY DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CAR MANUFACTURER TO CORRECT. PLEASE ADVISE AS A RECALL IS WARRANTED.

NHTSA ID

11338036

Incident

Jun 26, 2020

Mileage

82,000 mi

ON MARCH 8 2020 I WAS DRIVING MY 2014 MERCEDES BENZ CLS550 STRAIGHT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED, GLASS SHATTERING EVERYWHERE. GLASS HIT MY FACE AND WENT DOWN MY BACK AND CUT MY HANDS. I DIDN'T CRASH THE CAR NOR WAS ANY OTHER DAMAGE DONE THAN THE SUNROOF. I PULLED OVER WHEN IT WAS SAFE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NO OBJECT HAD CAME THROUGH THE SUNROOF. THE FRONT OF THE SUNROOF WAS INDENTED INWARD AND GLASS WAS ANGLED OUTWARD AS IF IT HAD EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 760,000 MERCEDES BENZ YEARS 2001-2011 FOR DEFECTIVE SUNROOF. MY CAR BEING A 2014, FALLS OUT OF THAT DEMOGRAPHIC. THERE IS A CURRENT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE NEWER MAKES AND MODELS OF MERCEDES FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, "EXPLODING SUNROOF." I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE SHOP ON MARCH 9, 2020 TO MERCEDES BENZ OF MARIN. MERCEDES BENZ OF MARIN WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS SO I HAVE REACHED OUT TO MERCEDES BENZ USA WHO IS DOING AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUE. I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK, HOWEVER I AM NOT OPTIMISTIC AS MERCEDES HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL THUS FAR AND MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER ONE MONTH. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A RECORDED ISSUE AND MERCEDES IS NOT DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE TO FIX IT IS CRIMINAL, AS I HAVE A FAMILY AND LUCKILY NO ONE ELSE WAS IN THE VEHICLE, NOR DID I CRASH INTO SOMEONE ELSE OR SOMETHING AND GET SEVERELY INJURED OR DIE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11321079

Incident

Mar 8, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND OR REVERSING WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO PARK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF WILMINGTON LOCATED AT (3801 LANCASTER PIKE, WILMINGTON, DE 19805 (302) 995-2211) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GPS/TRACKING DEVICE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,434.

NHTSA ID

11317698

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

76,434 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRAIN, NECK, AND LOWER BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID

11187069

Incident

Feb 17, 2019

Mileage

62,000 mi

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM THE NAME DEALERSHIP ONLINE. THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS WITHIN APPROX. 20 MINS AFTER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE FOR OPERATION. I WAS TOLD BY THE SELLER AND DEALERSHIP... TEXT MESSAGE SAVED, THAT THEY STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND THAT THE VEHICLE BEING SOLD ONLINE HAD NO PROBLEMS AND PASS ALL REQUIRED USED CAR INSPECTIONS, CARFAX TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. I RESIDE IN MS, SEARCHED ONLINE SOME TIME PRIOR TO BUYING. I READ THE DEALERSHIP REVIEWS WHICH WERE SATISFACTORY UNTIL I LATER, AFTER I PAID, FOUND SOME CONCERNING REMARKS AFTER THE TRANSACTION BUT PRIOR TO DELIVERY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, TEST DRIVE OR GIVEN A REASON SATISFACTION GUARANTEE AFTER RECEPTION. I DID NOT RECEIVE ITEMS AS DESCRIBED BUT WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD BE DELIVERED BUT THEY HAVE NOT TIL THIS DATE. I'VE REACHED OUT DOZENS OF TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RESOLUTION WITHOUT ANY RETURN CALLS OR MESSAGES FROM THEM. MY ISSUE LAYS HERE, IF A BUYER PURCHASES A VEHICLE ONLINE, THEY SHOULD BE AFFORDED SOME CONDITIONS OF A SATISFACTORY PURCHASE OF AT LEAST 30 DAYS... I WASN'T EVEN GIVEN ONE, THE VERY NEXT DAY AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE... I NOTED MINOR VEHICLE BODY DAMAGE, NOT DISCLOSED AND OTHER PRIOR REQUESTS PAID FOR NOT DELIVERED, TO BE LATER DISCLOSED IF NECESSARY. THE VERY NEXT DAY, WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER DELIVERY, THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS WITHIN APPROX. 20 MINS AFTER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE FOR OPERATION. THE REPAIR IS WHAT I'VE TRIED TO RESOLVE HOWEVER, MY SELLER AT ATLANTA AUTOS, DWAYNE HOWELL, WHOM QUICKLY ACCEPTABLE MY BANK DRAFT AND EVEN MADE ME WAIT UNTIL IT CLEARED BEFORE ARRANGING DELIVERY HAS YET TO RETURN ANY OF MY COMMUNICATIONS VIA TEXT, CALLS OR EVEN EMAIL. THE BUSINESS MANAGER, GREG MILES THE SAME.

NHTSA ID

11055895

Incident

Dec 10, 2017

Mileage

73,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON CHICAGO EXPRESSWAY, VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND BECAME INOPERATIVE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK ON EXPRESSWAY, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM CAR. MESSAGE ON CAR DISPLAY WAS "INOPERATIVE" "SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL". *TR

NHTSA ID

10667190

Incident

Dec 18, 2014

Mileage

7,800 mi