31 of the 160 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz CLK320 are about the electrical system — 19% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
31
Complaints
19%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE FAILED THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE MECHANICAL AND SHOULD NOT FAIL REMAINS FAILED WHETHER ELECTRICAL POWER IS ON, ACCESSORY IS POWERED OR SWITCH IN CA IN, ALSO REMAIN FAILED WITH KEY
NHTSA complaint #11153622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2005 MERCEDES CLK320 CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND TOTALED. IT STARTED WITH SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AC VENTS. WHEN I TURNED THE AC OFF THE SMOKE GOT WORSE AND FIRE PROCEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #11092499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320 THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JUNE 9, 2017. THE ENGINE IS MELTED AND DESTROYED LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED DESPITE IT HAPPENED AROUND A BUSY AREA. I AM COMPLETELY IN SHOCK STILL, NOT KNOWING WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED UNTIL I CAME ACROSS A WEBSITE STATING THAT OTHER MERCEDES BENZ MODELS HAVE HAD THEIR ENGINES CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE MORE THAN ONCE IN CONSECUTIVE ATTEMPTS. (WHILE READING THAT LAST PARAGRAPH, I DO RECALL TRYING TO DO JUST THAT SINCE THE CAR DECIDED TO STALL ON ME). I REMEMBER I WAS WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION TO MAKE A TURN INTO A U.S. POST OFFICE PARKING LOT AREA. HOWEVER, BEFORE I COULD EVEN MAKE THE TURN, IT STALLED ON ME IN THE INTERSECTION. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO START IT AS PEOPLE BEGAN HONKING THEIR HORNS AT ME WITHOUT ANY LUCK. ON THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE TRY I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE AND PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. I DID NOT GIVE A THOUGHT OF WHY THE MERCEDES GAVE ME STARTING PROBLEMS JUST A MINUTE AGO AS I GRABBED MY PURSE AND HEADED TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILE I GOT IN LINE,I STARTED TO HEAR PEOPLE YELL ABOUT A FIRE-A CAR FIRE. WE ALL WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE THIS AND AS I GOT A GOOD LOOK AT IT, I REALIZED THAT WAS MY CAR ON FIRE. I CALLED 911 WHILE I WAS SHAKING.
NHTSA complaint #11001570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING, MULTIPLE ERROR LIGHTS, ON MULTIPLE DATES.
NHTSA complaint #10944180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT LED INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS THAT INDICATE WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BOTH FAILED AND ARE UNABLE TO READ. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE ONLY BECAUSE I CANNOT TELL WHICH GEAR I AM IN AND OFTEN TIMES I MUST GUESS AT WHAT GEAR IT IS IN. THIS GUESSING TAKES MY EYES AND CONCENTRATION OFF THE ROAD AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT I KNOW THAT EVERY CLK320 HAS THIS SAME ISSUE AND MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS FIX. IT SEEMS THEY SHOULD AS IT COULD LEAD TO MANY ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10713137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK I STOP TO GET GAS. I GET IN MY CAR TO LEAVE AND KEY WILL NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. ALSO STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I WAS STRANDED AND HAD CAR TOWED THE MB DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID FIRST I HAVE TO BUY NEW KEY BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING WHICH COST ME $380. GOT NEW KEY AND THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THEN THEY SAID MY EIS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY REPLACED THE EIS, THEN I GET A CALL SAYING CAR STILL WILL NOT START. NOW THEY SAY I NEED A ESL(ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK) NOW MY TOTAL JUMPED UP TO 2,200. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED THAT ALL THESE PROBLEMS CAN GO OUT AT THE EXACT SAME TIME WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS COMMON PROBLEM IN MERCEDES.
NHTSA complaint #10695181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,680.
NHTSA complaint #10689619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE FUMES THAT OMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10615371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #10433587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS CAR HAD NO MECHANICAL ISSUES. THE CAR WAS STARTED AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS PUT DOWN. WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. TWENTY MINUTES LATER SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE HOOD VENT NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER USED ON THE SITE OF THE SMOKE. CAR WAS STARTED TO CHECK FOR POSSIBLE PROBLEM AREA. ALL INDICATORS WERE GOOD. CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. FEW MINUTES LATER, FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER FOOTWELL AND THEN SPREAD TO THE ENGINE AREA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE ENGINE AND CAR INTERIOR WERE BURNED AND THE AIR BAGS EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #10409767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED ALL OF THE SERVICE LIGHTS AND SENSORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD TURN ON AND OFF. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS WOULD ALSO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY SUSPECT THAT IT COULD BE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #10341826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,050. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/12/10 *CN UPDATED 11/26/10
NHTSA complaint #10340457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN SHE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, IT FAILED INSPECTION SINCE THE LIGHT WAS ON. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. A MECHANIC INFORMED HER OF RECALL 08V303000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT WHEN SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER; SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10307825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VOLTAGE REGULATOR WENT OUT IN MY BENZ. IT SURGED AND DESTROYED OTHER COMPONENTS OF MY VEHICLE. NOT TOO MENTION THAT THIS IS HIGHLY IN SAFE. I RESEARCHED ON LINE, AND MERCEDES BENZ HAD DONE A VOLUNTARY RECALL, BUT THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE NOW, AND ARE DENYING IT. THEY SAY MY VIN DOESN'T MATCH, AND I QUESTIONED THERE INTEGRITY. THIS IS SUCH A DANGEROUS ISSUE, AND I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD SON THAT MUST RIDE IN THIS CARE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS, AND IT IS DANGEROUS, BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT- NOW THAT IS UNDER OWNERSHIP. (AP) DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG SAID THURSDAY IT IS RECALLING SOME 1.3 MILLION MERCEDES-BENZ CARS WORLDWIDE TO FIX PROBLEMS WITH THEIR ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIES. THE GERMAN-U.S. AUTO MAKER SAID IT WILL CHECK THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IN THE ALTERNATOR ON SIX- AND EIGHT-CYLINDER MODELS AND REPLACE THE REGULATOR IF NEEDED. IT SAID IT WOULD INSTALL BATTERY CONTROL SOFTWARE ON THE E-CLASS AND CLS-CLASS MODELS BUILT FROM JANUARY 2002-JANUARY 2005. THE COMPANY ALSO SAID THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE E, SL AND CLS-CLASS MADE SINCE JUNE 2001 WOULD BE UPDATED. THE COMPANY SAID THE RECALL WAS PART OF ITS EFFORT TO IMPROVE ITS RENEWED EMPHASIS ON ITS CARS AND IS NOTIFYING ITS CUSTOMERS IN WRITING OF THE RECALL. THE COMPANY HAS SET UP A HOT LINE FOR EUROPEAN CUSTOMERS AT 800-1-777-7777. IN THE UNITED STATES, CUSTOMERS CAN CALL 1-800-FOR-MERC.
NHTSA complaint #10276470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I OWN A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320. MY CONCERN IS OVER ITS FAULTY DISPLAY READOUTS THAT I HEAR MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE LEFT HALF OF THE DISPLAY IS VERY WEAK/DIM AND GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO READ. IT'S HAZARDOUS AS I HAVE TO SQUINT TO READ THE DISPLAY WHICH TAKES MY EYES OFF THE ROAD LONGER THAN THEY SHOULD BE. AS PART OF THIS CLUSTER, THE TEMPERATURE PIXELS ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL WHICH HAS BEEN UNREADABLE FOR SOME TIME NOW. THE MAIN DISPLAY ISSUE STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO BUT I FEAR WILL WORSEN. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS OR IS ONE BEING CONSIDERED? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION."
NHTSA complaint #10268270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CLUSTER RECALL FOR MB CLK 430 2002 W208 COMMENTS: DEAR NHTSA REP., I OWN A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320 THE VIN# IS:________. MY CONCERN IS OVER ITS FAULTY DISPLAY READOUTS THAT I HEAR MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE LEFT HALF OF THE DISPLAY BLANK AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. IT'S HAZARDOUS AS I HAVE TO SQUINT TO READ THE DISPLAY WHICH TAKES MY EYES OFF THE ROAD LONGER THAT THEY SHOULD BE. AS PART OF THIS CLUSTER, THE TEMPERATURE PIXELS AND THE GEAR SELECTION PIXELS, WHICH LEADS ME AT TIMES TO INCORRECTLY DOWN SHIFT NOT KNOWING IF I AM IN 1ST, 2ND, 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, ARE HARDLY FUNCTIONAL WHICH HAS BEEN MAINLY UNREADABLE FOR SOME TIME NOW. I WENT TO THE MB DEALER AND REQUESTED TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE ONLY WAY IS TO CHANGE THE PART, BUT THIS PART IS CLOSE TO U$1,200 INCLUDING LABOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. AS I STATED BEFORE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT, SO I THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. FROM NHTSA WEB SITE.
NHTSA complaint #10266587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR IS ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANS THE SRS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FROM LOCKING PROPERLY. THERE IS ALSO A TELE-AIDE INDICATOR FLASHING IN THE CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V534000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 05/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/07/09.
NHTSA complaint #10265466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE RECALL ID# 08V303000-ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS AFFECTING MY CAR AND MERCEDES REFUSES TO FIX IT. IT IS A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION THAT MADE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MB THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL DID NOT EXIST. THEN THEY SAID THAT IT EXISTED AND APPLIED TO THE 2003 CLK (WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE) BUT NOT TO MY VIN. THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME TO GET THIS SOFTWARE CALIBRATED WHEN IT'S UNDER A RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR AND CLASS.
NHTSA complaint #10250530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2002 MERCEDES BENZ 430 CLK DASH BOARD INFORMATION LIGHTS (LED PIXELS) ARE DIMMING AND GOING DARK, THEREBY ELIMINATING THE ABILITY TO SEE DRIVING DATA (E.G. SPEED, TEMPERATURE, ETC.). DEALER STATES THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON (ANECDOTAL INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET CONFIRMS THIS), AND REPAIR WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1,500.
NHTSA complaint #10229161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I A 2003 CLK 320 MERCEDES-BENZ WITH ONLY HAS 46,054 MILES ON IT. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STOPPED WORKING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON 5/4/2008. I GET A DIGITAL READ-OUT, BUT NOTHING FROM THE NEEDLE THAT MONITOR THE SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10228225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.