FaultScore

Mercedes Benz CLK350 vs Dodge Colt

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 CLK350 Dodge Colt
Complaints on file 135 328
Model years covered 2006–2009 1982–1996
Worst model year 2006
Best model year 2008
Crashes reported 4 14
Fires reported 3 6
Injuries reported 4 15
Deaths reported 0 1
Most complained-about part Fuel & Propulsion Seat Belts
Share of complaints involving harm 8.1% 11%

Mercedes Benz CLK350 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 17 12.6%
Airbags 17 12.6%
Electrical System 13 9.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain 11 8.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 8 5.9%
Seats 6 4.4%
Lights 5 3.7%

Dodge Colt by year

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

What breaks

Seat Belts 217 66.2%
Engine & Cooling 20 6.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain 16 4.9%
Electrical System 10 3.0%
Brakes 8 2.4%
Fuel & Propulsion 7 2.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 7 2.1%
Seats 7 2.1%