Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK Class
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
220.0%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Equipment & Accessories
110.0%
Median failure at 1,100 miles
Seat Belts
110.0%
Median failure at 103,000 miles
Lights
110.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 21,000 mi
Body & Structure
110.0%
Median failure at 29,000 miles
Steering
110.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 57,528 mi
Electrical System
110.0%
Median failure at 32,879 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
110.0%
Median failure at 24,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
222.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
222.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
222.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
111.1%
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.
Sep 2002peak 1Jan 2014
Recalls on the 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK Class
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202274010,460 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the sunroof glass may not be properly attached to the sliding roof frame. Over time, the glass can become loose and could separate from the vehicle. Note: Vehicles that were inspected under Transport Canada recalls 2019-668 and 2021-478 also require this inspection. Safety Risk: A sunroof that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the bonding of the sunroof glass. Dealers will replace the sliding roof, if necessary.
Recall 2021478432 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles inspected under Mercedes-Benz recall 7891003 (Transport Canada recall 2019-668) that require a second inspection. On certain vehicles, the sunroof glass may not be properly attached to the sliding roof frame. Over time, the glass can become loose and could separate from the vehicle. Note: This recall affects 2006 and 2007 models originally equipped with a sunroof. Additionally, some 2001-2011 models may have had an affected sunroof installed during a repair. Safety Risk: A sunroof that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the bonding of the sunroof glass. Dealers will replace the sliding roof, if necessary.
Recall 201966830,219 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the sunroof glass may not be properly attached to the sliding roof frame. Over time, the glass can become loose and could separate from the vehicle. Note: This recall affects 2006 and 2007 models originally equipped with a sunroof. Additionally, some 2001-2011 models may have had an affected sunroof installed during a repair. Safety Risk: A sunroof that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the bonding of the sunroof glass. Dealers will replace the sliding roof, if necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 57,528 milesCharlotte, NCFire
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TWO OTHER VEHICLES WERE MODERATELY DAMAGED BY THE FLAMES. HE NOTICED EXCESSIVE POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE GROUND WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED. A POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP OR THE LINES/FITTINGS/HOSES WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR "B" SERVICE, BUT NO FAILURE COULD BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AND A COPY OF THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,528.
NHTSA complaint #10240228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesScottsdale, AZCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN TO PULL INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING, BUT IT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHEN IT SMASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A 3 FEET LONG BRAKE MARK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10073868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lorane, OR1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NEW HID CAR LIGHTS ARE TO BRIGHT. THESE NEW LIGHTS HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS HAVING HIGH BEAMS ON ALL THE TIME. HID LIGHTS BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS.
NHTSA complaint #10041631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN THE CONSUMER JACKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE JACK FAILED TO REMAIN STURDY AND THE VEHICLE HAD FELL TO THE GROUND. NLM SCC
NHTSA complaint #8018653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 103,000 milesELK River, MN
SEAT BELTS
I HAVE HAD SEAT BELT TROUBLE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS WEAK TO RETRACT. THAN 9 MONTHS LATER IT GAVE OUT ON ME. I LOOKED INTO IT ONLINE AND IT TURNS OUT ALMOST ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE 100,000 MILES. THERE ARE DOZENS OF FORUMS IN COMPLAINTS PLENTY OF PEOPLE SAYING THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM TO IN EACH. ITS A HAZARD THAT PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THESE CARS AND DECIDE THEY DON'T HAVE $500 TO BUY A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR PLUS $200 IN LABOR. ALSO IT OFTEN LEAVES NO WARNING THAT IT WON'T RETRACT. THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT ONE DAY AND SOMEONE WILL DIE AND ITS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX A SEATBELT THAT SHOULD BE WORKING. MINE GAVE OUT OF NO WHERE SO WHEN I WAS AWAY FROM HOME IF I WOULD OF GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT THAT'S A PROBLEM WORTH FIXING. MY GIRLFRIEND IS AN EMT AND SHE SAYS THAT A SEAT BELT PLACED TO HIGH OR TOO LOW CAN CAUSE U TO BE CRUNCHED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL OR FLY UP OVER INTO THE WINDSHIELD. SO ONE THAT GOES LOOSE ON YOU WHILE DRIVING WILL CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY BECAUSE JUST THE FACT THAT THERE IS MOVING SPACE WILL CAUSE YOU TO WIGGLE LOOSE FROM YOUR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10558710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,879 milesBloomfield, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND RADIO WERE DEFECTIVE. HE MENTIONED THAT THE PIXELS ON BOTH WERE MISSING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,879.
NHTSA complaint #10400021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,528 milesCharlotte, NCFire
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TWO OTHER VEHICLES WERE MODERATELY DAMAGED BY THE FLAMES. HE NOTICED EXCESSIVE POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE GROUND WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED. A POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP OR THE LINES/FITTINGS/HOSES WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR "B" SERVICE, BUT NO FAILURE COULD BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AND A COPY OF THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,528.
NHTSA complaint #10240228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesWest Jordan, UT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. RUSTED AND CORRODED TRANS AT 24,000 MILES CAUSED BY FAULTY MERCEDES VALEO RADIATOR. MERCEDES OWN STAR BULLETIN TELLS DEALERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT MY DEALER DECIDED NOT TO CHECK IT OUT AND NOW MERCEDES AND DEALER ARE REFUSING TO HELP WHEN THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MANY OF THEIR MODELS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10232784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesWindermere, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 430. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE FRONT BUMPER WERE FAILING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS TO DETACH FROM THE BUMPER. THE DEALER DID NOT STATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 34,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #10190664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesDanville, CA
TIRES
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2003 MERCEDES CLK 500, HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THIS HAPPENED ON A COLD CLEAR DAY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. HE TIRE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS NAIL IN THE TIRE, BUT NOT IN THE SECTION OF THE BLOWOUT. THE TIRE WAS A BRIDGESTONE POTENZA. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED 21/2 MONTHS AGO. THIS BLOWOUT SPLIT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE NAIL. THE CONTACT WILL SUBMIT THE TIRE SIZE WITH THE HARD COPY AND SHE STILL HAD THE OLD TIRE THAT BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY FOR THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 72000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10184003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesSAN Francisco, CA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. NO IMPACT REPORTED. THEN, SIX MONTHS LATER THE SAME TIRE BLEW OUT AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10089624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesScottsdale, AZCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN TO PULL INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING, BUT IT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHEN IT SMASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A 3 FEET LONG BRAKE MARK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10073868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lorane, OR1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NEW HID CAR LIGHTS ARE TO BRIGHT. THESE NEW LIGHTS HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS HAVING HIGH BEAMS ON ALL THE TIME. HID LIGHTS BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS.
NHTSA complaint #10041631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.