FaultScore

Mercedes Benz CLK Class vs Lexus ES 350

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 CLK Class Lexus ES 350
Complaints on file 40 100
Model years covered 2000–2006 2007–2014
Worst model year
Best model year
Crashes reported 2 1
Fires reported 1 1
Injuries reported 3 1
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Electrical System Airbags
Share of complaints involving harm 15% 3%

Mercedes Benz CLK Class by year

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

What breaks

Electrical System 8 20.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain 7 17.5%
Engine & Cooling 5 12.5%
Tires 4 10.0%
Seat Belts 3 7.5%
Airbags 2 5.0%
Body & Structure 2 5.0%
Lights 2 5.0%

Lexus ES 350 by year

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

What breaks

Airbags 64 64.0%
Other & Unspecified 9 9.0%
Body & Structure 7 7.0%
Electrical System 6 6.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 3.0%
Engine & Cooling 2 2.0%
Steering 2 2.0%
Brakes 2 2.0%