Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2004 Mercedes Benz CL500 with NHTSA between 2015 and 2020.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 Mercedes Benz CL500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
743.8%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Suspension
425.0%
Median failure at 67,000 miles
Lights
212.5%
Median failure at 123,965 miles
Brakes
16.3%
Median failure at 127,600 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
Median failure at 127,600 miles
Engine & Cooling
16.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 124,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
426.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
320.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
640.0%
150,000+ miles
213.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2015peak 4Jul 2020
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 124,000 milesLithia Springs, GAFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT END CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WAS A FIRE REPORT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 01/06/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10762189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 127,600 milesNewark, NJ
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED MOMENTARILY TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MOST EVIDENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SEVERAL GAUGES FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION OR READINGS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT TRUNK FAILED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT WHEN OPENED; THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WORKSHOP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN GREEN FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE; AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE LEAK OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) AND POWER STEERING FLUID. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PRESSURE BUILT UP IN THE VALVE BODY WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ OF WEST CALDWELL (1220 BLOOMFIELD AVE, WEST CALDWELL, NJ 07006, (973) 227-3600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,600.
NHTSA complaint #11337154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,600 milesNewark, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED MOMENTARILY TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MOST EVIDENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SEVERAL GAUGES FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION OR READINGS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT TRUNK FAILED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT WHEN OPENED; THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WORKSHOP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN GREEN FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE; AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE LEAK OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) AND POWER STEERING FLUID. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PRESSURE BUILT UP IN THE VALVE BODY WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ OF WEST CALDWELL (1220 BLOOMFIELD AVE, WEST CALDWELL, NJ 07006, (973) 227-3600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,600.
NHTSA complaint #11337154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,600 milesNewark, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED MOMENTARILY TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MOST EVIDENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SEVERAL GAUGES FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION OR READINGS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT TRUNK FAILED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT WHEN OPENED; THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WORKSHOP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN GREEN FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE; AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE LEAK OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) AND POWER STEERING FLUID. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PRESSURE BUILT UP IN THE VALVE BODY WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ OF WEST CALDWELL (1220 BLOOMFIELD AVE, WEST CALDWELL, NJ 07006, (973) 227-3600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,600.
NHTSA complaint #11337154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SRS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS TILTED AND LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT LINE PUMP AND STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PUMP AND THE STRUT WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *AS
NHTSA complaint #11234248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesTemple Hills, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I PURCHASED THIS CAR JUNE 2016. ENROUTE TO VACATION, IN EARLY AUGUST, THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL PANEL STOPPED OPERATING. MID-WAY TO VACATION, WHILE STOPPING FOR GAS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN COMPLETELY DARK. I WAS UNABLE TO GAUGE HOW MUCH GAS, SPEED, ETC., ALSO AT THAT TIME WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR, THE JUMPED AS IF SOMEONE HIT THE CAR. LATER I LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE SUSPENSION. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE VACATION. UPON REACHING MY VACATION DESTINATION, THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO CALL TO GET MY BATTERY JUMPED. TWO DAYS LATER THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP. AFTER RETURNING FROM VACATION, A WEEK LATER, THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP AGAIN. IN MY OPINION THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I REACHED OUT TO THE RECALL REPRESENTATIVES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT UNDER RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10910748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesTemple Hills, MD
SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED THIS CAR JUNE 2016. ENROUTE TO VACATION, IN EARLY AUGUST, THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL PANEL STOPPED OPERATING. MID-WAY TO VACATION, WHILE STOPPING FOR GAS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN COMPLETELY DARK. I WAS UNABLE TO GAUGE HOW MUCH GAS, SPEED, ETC., ALSO AT THAT TIME WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR, THE JUMPED AS IF SOMEONE HIT THE CAR. LATER I LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE SUSPENSION. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE VACATION. UPON REACHING MY VACATION DESTINATION, THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO CALL TO GET MY BATTERY JUMPED. TWO DAYS LATER THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP. AFTER RETURNING FROM VACATION, A WEEK LATER, THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP AGAIN. IN MY OPINION THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I REACHED OUT TO THE RECALL REPRESENTATIVES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT UNDER RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10910748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesTemple Hills, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED THIS CAR JUNE 2016. ENROUTE TO VACATION, IN EARLY AUGUST, THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL PANEL STOPPED OPERATING. MID-WAY TO VACATION, WHILE STOPPING FOR GAS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN COMPLETELY DARK. I WAS UNABLE TO GAUGE HOW MUCH GAS, SPEED, ETC., ALSO AT THAT TIME WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR, THE JUMPED AS IF SOMEONE HIT THE CAR. LATER I LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE SUSPENSION. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE VACATION. UPON REACHING MY VACATION DESTINATION, THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO CALL TO GET MY BATTERY JUMPED. TWO DAYS LATER THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP. AFTER RETURNING FROM VACATION, A WEEK LATER, THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP AGAIN. IN MY OPINION THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I REACHED OUT TO THE RECALL REPRESENTATIVES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT UNDER RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10910748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,762 milesSpringfield, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL I BOUGHT MY 04 CL500 BENZ IN APRIL OF 2015, AFTER A FEW MONTH I NOTICED THE CLUSTER FLICKERING THEN SOON AFTER THE BACK LIGHT WENT OUT BUT GAGES STILL WORKING THEN TODAY WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY A POOF OF SMOKE HIT ME IN THE FACE I FIGURED SOMETHING WAS ON FIRE SO I PULLED OVER OPENED ALL MY DOORS AND HOOD BUT NO FLAMES JUST SMOKE WHEN SMOKE STOPPED I LOOKED TOWARD WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM WITCH WAS THE CLUSTER NOW IM STUCK WITH A HORRBLE SMELL AND NO GAGES
NHTSA complaint #10862317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesNEW Orleans, LA
SUSPENSION
RECALL #1-ABC PUMP LEAK. AT 67,000 MILES IN MARCH 2013, THE ABC PUMP BROKE AND LEAKED FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. HAD THE NECESSARY REPAIRS MADE AT THE COST OF $3500 WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. RECALL #2-INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE-AT 87,000 MILES IN MARCH 2016, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON I-10. DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO A SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 OF THE 4 SAFETY RECALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. VEHICLES EXPERIENCING 1 OF THE 4 ISSUES HAVE BEEN COVERED BY RECALLS, BUT A VEHICLE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED 2 OF 4 ISSUES SO FAR IS NOT COVERED. WHERE IS THE COMMON SENSE IN THIS? ON AVERAGE, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY 7500 MILES PER YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10852491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesNEW Orleans, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECALL #1-ABC PUMP LEAK. AT 67,000 MILES IN MARCH 2013, THE ABC PUMP BROKE AND LEAKED FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. HAD THE NECESSARY REPAIRS MADE AT THE COST OF $3500 WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. RECALL #2-INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE-AT 87,000 MILES IN MARCH 2016, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON I-10. DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO A SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 OF THE 4 SAFETY RECALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. VEHICLES EXPERIENCING 1 OF THE 4 ISSUES HAVE BEEN COVERED BY RECALLS, BUT A VEHICLE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED 2 OF 4 ISSUES SO FAR IS NOT COVERED. WHERE IS THE COMMON SENSE IN THIS? ON AVERAGE, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY 7500 MILES PER YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10852491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesNEW Orleans, LA
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , SUSPENSION) AND 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10852256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesNEW Orleans, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , SUSPENSION) AND 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10852256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesSpringfield, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE GOING ABOUT 45MPH AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER SO NOW IM DRIVING WITH NO FUEL LEVEL SPEED OR HOW HOT MY ENGINE IS GETTING I CALLED MERCEDES AND THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT IT SHOULD NOT MATTER!! IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER ONES. BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX A SAFE MAULFUNCTION
NHTSA complaint #10783549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesLithia Springs, GAFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT END CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WAS A FIRE REPORT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 01/06/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10762189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,930 milesGilroy, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE I WAS DRIVING HWY 1 TO MONTEREY CA. CLUSTER DASH LIGHTS BLACKED OUT. NOW DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND CAN SEE INFORMATION FROM IT.
NHTSA complaint #10692683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,930 milesGilroy, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE I WAS DRIVING HWY 1 TO MONTEREY CA. CLUSTER DASH LIGHTS BLACKED OUT. NOW DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND CAN SEE INFORMATION FROM IT.
NHTSA complaint #10692683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.