FaultScore

Mercedes Benz CL Class vs Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Mercedes Benz CL Class Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson
Complaints on file 52 129
Model years covered 2000–2004 1982–2003
Worst model year 2003 2000
Best model year 2004 1996
Crashes reported 11 12
Fires reported 14 1
Injuries reported 8 11
Deaths reported 8 0
Most complained-about part Suspension Engine & Cooling
Share of complaints involving harm 78.8% 18.6%

Mercedes Benz CL Class by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Suspension 9 17.3%
Electrical System 7 13.5%
Engine & Cooling 5 9.6%
Airbags 4 7.7%
Lights 4 7.7%
Seat Belts 4 7.7%
Tires 3 5.8%
Seats 3 5.8%

Harley-Davidson Harley Davidson by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 44 34.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain 14 10.9%
Electrical System 13 10.1%
Suspension 13 10.1%
Brakes 9 7.0%
Fuel & Propulsion 8 6.2%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 5 3.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 3.9%