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FaultScore report

2002 Mercedes Benz CL600 problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL600 with NHTSA between 2006 and 2018. The largest single group is the suspension.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercedes Benz CL600 All 2002 cars
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Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

18

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

76,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

19%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2002 compares with every other Mercedes Benz CL600

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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

What breaks on a 2002 Mercedes Benz CL600

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 6 33.3%

Median failure at 63,500 miles

Engine & Cooling 4 22.2%

Median failure at 80,700 miles

Brakes 3 16.7%

Median failure at 76,000 miles

Stability & Traction Control 1 5.6%

Median failure at 76,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 5.6%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

Lights 1 5.6%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

Steering 1 5.6%

Median failure at 10 miles

Electrical System 1 5.6%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 12.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 12.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 12.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 8 50.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 12.5%

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.

Jun 2006 peak 3 Sep 2018

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 51,000 miles Fulton, NY 1 injured

SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THEN THE CARS SUSPENSION STARTED ACTING ERRATIC, I COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TILL A SHORT TIME LATER. MY CARS SUSPENSION RAISED AND LOWERED IN A VIOLENT WAY. MY HEAD WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND BACK IN THE HEAD REST. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. I CONTACTED MERCEDES, AND THEY TOLD ME IN SO MANY WORDS, TOO BAD FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #10408522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Fulton, NY 1 injured

SUSPENSION

THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM SUSPENSION GOES ERRATIC, RAISING AND LOWERING AS IT PLEASES. DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10402966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 10 miles SAN Diego, CA

STEERING

LEAKING ABC FLUID. THE ABC SISTEM WAS BROKEN

NHTSA complaint #11129621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10 miles SAN Diego, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

LEAKING ABC FLUID. THE ABC SISTEM WAS BROKEN

NHTSA complaint #11129621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fulton, NY

SUSPENSION

ABC HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HIGH PRESSURE HOSE CORROSION AND FAILURE OF FITTINGS. CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, SMOKE POURED FROM UNDER VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLE FIRE. THE FLUID SPRAYED ALL OVER EXHAUST. VEHICLE RIDE HEIGHT WAS THROWN QUICKLY TO GROUND.

NHTSA complaint #10759767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Fulton, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO MERCEDES, THIS IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD, THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. OIL WILL SPRAY ALL OVER THE EXHAUST, AND PLASTIC CREATING A VACUUM. LUCKY MY FAMILY HASN'T DIED FROM THIS FIRE HAZARD. ITS ALL OVER THE MB FORUMS, EVERYONE ON REPAIR PAL, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THIS IS COMMON AND LIFE THREATENING HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE REDESIGNED OIL COOLER. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ ON THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10586673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Fulton, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO MERCEDES, THIS IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD, THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. OIL WILL SPRAY ALL OVER THE EXHAUST, AND PLASTIC CREATING A VACUUM. LUCKY MY FAMILY HASN'T DIED FROM THIS FIRE HAZARD. ITS ALL OVER THE MB FORUMS, EVERYONE ON REPAIR PAL, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THIS IS COMMON AND LIFE THREATENING HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE REDESIGNED OIL COOLER. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ ON THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10586673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Fulton, NY

ENGINE

THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO MERCEDES, THIS IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD, THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. OIL WILL SPRAY ALL OVER THE EXHAUST, AND PLASTIC CREATING A VACUUM. LUCKY MY FAMILY HASN'T DIED FROM THIS FIRE HAZARD. ITS ALL OVER THE MB FORUMS, EVERYONE ON REPAIR PAL, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THIS IS COMMON AND LIFE THREATENING HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH THE REDESIGNED OIL COOLER. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ ON THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10586673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Scottsdale, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

OEM REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC HOSE DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING AGAIN, CAN CAUSE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK ONTO HOT EXHAUST AND START A COMPLETE FIRE..

NHTSA complaint #10490454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Romeoville, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTROL PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000.

NHTSA complaint #10477017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Universal City, TX

SUSPENSION

ABC HOSE LEAKED HYDRAULIC FLUID IN HUGE PUDDLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. NOT LONG AFTER THE WHEELS WERE SITTING ON TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. MERCEDES SERVICE DIAGNOSED AS HOSE THAT REQUIRES TRANSMISSION TO BE REMOVED TO FIX. WAS TOLD RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2004 SO I HAD TO PAY FULL REPAIR PRICE ($4,700).

NHTSA complaint #10455052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Universal City, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABC HOSE LEAKED HYDRAULIC FLUID IN HUGE PUDDLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. NOT LONG AFTER THE WHEELS WERE SITTING ON TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. MERCEDES SERVICE DIAGNOSED AS HOSE THAT REQUIRES TRANSMISSION TO BE REMOVED TO FIX. WAS TOLD RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2004 SO I HAD TO PAY FULL REPAIR PRICE ($4,700).

NHTSA complaint #10455052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Universal City, TX

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ABC HOSE LEAKED HYDRAULIC FLUID IN HUGE PUDDLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. NOT LONG AFTER THE WHEELS WERE SITTING ON TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. MERCEDES SERVICE DIAGNOSED AS HOSE THAT REQUIRES TRANSMISSION TO BE REMOVED TO FIX. WAS TOLD RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2004 SO I HAD TO PAY FULL REPAIR PRICE ($4,700).

NHTSA complaint #10455052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Fremont, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 2002 CL-600 THAT HAS A TERRIBLE ENGINE OIL LEAK. THE DEALER WANTS $5,800 TO REPAIR THE OIL COOLER. SEARCHING THE WEB SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES 12 CYLINDER ENGINES. BECAUSE LEAKING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL ONTO A HOT MOTOR IS A SERIOUS FIRE SAFETY ISSUE, MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL ALL 12 CYLINDER CARS AND INSTALL A BETTER DESIGNED OIL COOLER.

NHTSA complaint #10414034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Fulton, NY 1 injured

SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THEN THE CARS SUSPENSION STARTED ACTING ERRATIC, I COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TILL A SHORT TIME LATER. MY CARS SUSPENSION RAISED AND LOWERED IN A VIOLENT WAY. MY HEAD WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND BACK IN THE HEAD REST. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. I CONTACTED MERCEDES, AND THEY TOLD ME IN SO MANY WORDS, TOO BAD FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #10408522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Fulton, NY 1 injured

SUSPENSION

THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM SUSPENSION GOES ERRATIC, RAISING AND LOWERING AS IT PLEASES. DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10402966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,400 miles NJ, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES CL600 AND IT HAS A ENGINE OIL LEAK. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE LEAK MIGHT CAUSE THE FIRE IN ENGINE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BUT THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE IT. THE MERCEDES IS ASKING 5500 USD TO FIX IT. I CANT CAUSE I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY. AS I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON OF A PROBLEM FOR CL600.

NHTSA complaint #10395688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Allen, TX

SUSPENSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL-600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION IN THE VEHICLE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED AND THE ABC PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE LEAKED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HYDRAULICS, SEAL RINGS, AND VALVES. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE REPAIR COSTS TOTALLED APPROXIMATELY $10,000. HE HAD NOT NOTICED ANY FAILURES SINCE RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V228000 (SUSPENSION). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN UPDATED 03/16/09.

NHTSA complaint #10259130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Richardson, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CAMPAIGN#2005060019 SEPTEMBER2005 -CYLINDER SHUT-OFF OIL PRESSURE SENSOR DEFECT 2002 CL600 ON 10.12.2005 CERTIFIED MB DEALER \RETAILER CLOSED THE CAMPAIGN FOLLOW PRIOR TO DATE CODE 1291LISTED IN THIS CAMPAIGN .ON OR ABOUT 1 YEAR THE PART WITH DATE CODE 1631 DEFECTED AND MAKE ESTIMATE DAMAGES DETERMINED FROM MB DEALER EWING AUTO HOUSE FOR $10000.INCLUDE IN THIS ESTIMATE IS ME CONTROL UNIT WHICH WARRANTY BY MB IS LISTED 8YEARS AND 80000MILES.MB USA AND EWING AUTO HOUSE DINAY ENY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. IF OIL TRAVEL THROUGH CABLE HARNESS AND PRACTICALLY FILL UP ME-SFI VOLTAGE CONTROL SUPLAY UNIT,VOLTAGECONVERTER,IGNITION MODULES,OXYGEN SENSORS FOLIW LOST CONTROL DRAIVABILITY ON TNE CAR ON 05.03.2008.WITH OTHER REPAIR BILL FOR $3000.WAY THIS DEFECT IS NOT SAFETY RECALL .

NHTSA complaint #10250393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Granada Hills, CA

SUSPENSION:REAR

BOUGHT CAR FEB. 2005; IT HAS BEEN IN (WARRANTY COVERED) REPAIR 6 TIMES FOR GRINDING IN REAR WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THE ABS SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS REPAIRS TO REAR & FRONT AXLES & BALL BEARINGS & HYDRAULICS. STILL THE NOISE CONTINUES. ALSO WHEN TRAVELING OVER 40 MPH, THE REAR JUMPS TO SIDE WHEN SMALL BUMPS ARE HIT.

NHTSA complaint #10158817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.