FaultScore report
Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLK350 with NHTSA between 2015 and 2020. The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
FaultScore 37/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz CLK350.
How this is worked out23
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
58,551 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 54,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 62,000 mi
Median failure at 75,027 miles
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Median failure at 74,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 50,000 mi
Median failure at 130,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 50,000 mi
Median failure at 130,000 miles
Median failure at 130,000 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON 12/31/2017 MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVE WAY OF 800 VILLA FLORENCE DR. NAPLES FLORIDA AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGN OF TROUBLE CAR CUT IN FIRE FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING IN TRUNK OF THIS CAR EXCEPT TO LIGHT WEIGHT BEACH CHAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11067382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON 12/31/2017 MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVE WAY OF 800 VILLA FLORENCE DR. NAPLES FLORIDA AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGN OF TROUBLE CAR CUT IN FIRE FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING IN TRUNK OF THIS CAR EXCEPT TO LIGHT WEIGHT BEACH CHAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11067382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 12/31/2017 MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVE WAY OF 800 VILLA FLORENCE DR. NAPLES FLORIDA AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGN OF TROUBLE CAR CUT IN FIRE FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING IN TRUNK OF THIS CAR EXCEPT TO LIGHT WEIGHT BEACH CHAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11067382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE (650 SUNRISE HWY, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11362009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MANY OWNERS OF LATE-MODEL MERCEDES-BENZ CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.5L V6 ENGINES (M272 OR M273) HAVE EXPERIENCED PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE POOR IDLE, LOSS OF POWER AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A P2006 CODE (OR SOMETIMES OTHER CODES). THE SHAFTS WILL FAIL INSIDE THE MANIFOLD AND BIND, CAUSING THE LEVER TO BREAK AND THE CAPS SHOWN TO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE POPPING OFF THE MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #11361155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MANY OWNERS OF LATE-MODEL MERCEDES-BENZ CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.5L V6 ENGINES (M272 OR M273) HAVE EXPERIENCED PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE POOR IDLE, LOSS OF POWER AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A P2006 CODE (OR SOMETIMES OTHER CODES). THE SHAFTS WILL FAIL INSIDE THE MANIFOLD AND BIND, CAUSING THE LEVER TO BREAK AND THE CAPS SHOWN TO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE POPPING OFF THE MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #11361155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
MANY OWNERS OF LATE-MODEL MERCEDES-BENZ CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.5L V6 ENGINES (M272 OR M273) HAVE EXPERIENCED PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE POOR IDLE, LOSS OF POWER AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A P2006 CODE (OR SOMETIMES OTHER CODES). THE SHAFTS WILL FAIL INSIDE THE MANIFOLD AND BIND, CAUSING THE LEVER TO BREAK AND THE CAPS SHOWN TO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE POPPING OFF THE MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #11361155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE SUNROOF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE 650 SUNRISE HWY, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570 WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NO LONGER BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11325411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL WITH MILEAGE 43,000. FILLED UP THE GAS TANK ON TWO OCCASIONS. AFTER EACH OCCASION, PLACED CAR IN GARAGE AFTERWARD AND CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. THE SMELL OF RAW GAS WAS OVERWHELMING AS SOON AS GARAGE DOOR WAS SHUT. DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING SMELL AND SAFETY CONCERN, CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. NO LEAKS ON GARAGE FLOOR WERE FOUND. CAR PARKED IN GARAGE THE NEXT DAY WITHOUT THE SMELL OF RAW GAS.
NHTSA complaint #11173029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY PARTNER TOLD ME THAT HIS PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED OUT AND THAT HE WAS TOLD IT WAS GOING TO BE OVER $800 TO REPLACE. I DECIDED TO TRY TO REPLACE THE BULB MYSELF, BUT I FOUND THAT THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS LEADING THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE WIRES ARE BARE, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, LEADING TO POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH MAY CAUSE SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS. I HAVE FOUND AT LEAST ONE OTHER COMPLAINT OF THIS NATURE, REPORTED ON NOVEMBER 13 2017, FOR A 2008 CLK350 VEHICLE WITH THE SAME LEADING VIN NUMBER OF WDBTK56F.... THAT COMPLAINT INDICATES THAT "MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT SUPPLYING A FIX AS REPORTED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS. ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURERS ARE DENYING COVERAGE DUE TO THE WIDE SPREAD DEFECT ACROSS THE MERCEDES BENZ MODELS." I CANNOT FIND ANY MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE, MUCH LESS ONE THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #11155296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY PARTNER TOLD ME THAT HIS PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED OUT AND THAT HE WAS TOLD IT WAS GOING TO BE OVER $800 TO REPLACE. I DECIDED TO TRY TO REPLACE THE BULB MYSELF, BUT I FOUND THAT THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS LEADING THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE WIRES ARE BARE, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, LEADING TO POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH MAY CAUSE SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS. I HAVE FOUND AT LEAST ONE OTHER COMPLAINT OF THIS NATURE, REPORTED ON NOVEMBER 13 2017, FOR A 2008 CLK350 VEHICLE WITH THE SAME LEADING VIN NUMBER OF WDBTK56F.... THAT COMPLAINT INDICATES THAT "MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT SUPPLYING A FIX AS REPORTED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS. ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURERS ARE DENYING COVERAGE DUE TO THE WIDE SPREAD DEFECT ACROSS THE MERCEDES BENZ MODELS." I CANNOT FIND ANY MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE, MUCH LESS ONE THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #11155296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND "CHECK SRS AIR BAG" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WIRING FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11124551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND "CHECK SRS AIR BAG" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WIRING FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11124551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND "CHECK SRS AIR BAG" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WIRING FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11124551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IDENTIFIED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK'S "FUEL SENDER". SMALL CRACK IN PLASTIC FUEL SENDER AT POINT WHERE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO SENDER ALLOWED GASOLINE TO ACCUMULATE OVER TIME IN AREA SURROUNDING SENDER AND THEN TRAVEL TO UNDERSIDE OF CAR IN AN AREA IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO EXHAUST SYSTEM. AT TIME LEAK WAS DISCOVERED APPROX 1/4 CUP OF FUEL HAD ACCUMULATED. HAD PROBLEM NOT BEEN DISCOVERED A CAR FIRE WAS INEVITABLE
NHTSA complaint #11073073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON 12/31/2017 MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVE WAY OF 800 VILLA FLORENCE DR. NAPLES FLORIDA AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGN OF TROUBLE CAR CUT IN FIRE FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING IN TRUNK OF THIS CAR EXCEPT TO LIGHT WEIGHT BEACH CHAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11067382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON 12/31/2017 MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVE WAY OF 800 VILLA FLORENCE DR. NAPLES FLORIDA AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGN OF TROUBLE CAR CUT IN FIRE FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING IN TRUNK OF THIS CAR EXCEPT TO LIGHT WEIGHT BEACH CHAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11067382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 12/31/2017 MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVE WAY OF 800 VILLA FLORENCE DR. NAPLES FLORIDA AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGN OF TROUBLE CAR CUT IN FIRE FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING IN TRUNK OF THIS CAR EXCEPT TO LIGHT WEIGHT BEACH CHAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11067382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY WIFE TOLD ME HER HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN I REPLACED THE BULB, I FOUND THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND HEADLIGHTS IS DETERIORATING LEAVING EXPOSED BARE WIRES CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, EQUIPMENT FAILURES, ELECTRICAL FIRES, LEADING TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS. MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT SUPPLYING A FIX AS REPORTED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS. ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURERS ARE DENYING COVERAGE DUE TO THE WIDE SPREAD DEFECT ACROSS THE MERCEDES BENZ MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #11045751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY WIFE TOLD ME HER HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN I REPLACED THE BULB, I FOUND THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND HEADLIGHTS IS DETERIORATING LEAVING EXPOSED BARE WIRES CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, EQUIPMENT FAILURES, ELECTRICAL FIRES, LEADING TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS. MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT SUPPLYING A FIX AS REPORTED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS. ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURERS ARE DENYING COVERAGE DUE TO THE WIDE SPREAD DEFECT ACROSS THE MERCEDES BENZ MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #11045751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG NOT REPLACED
NHTSA complaint #11043488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. SRS LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. ADVISED THAT AIRBAG IN PASSENGER SEAT HAD HIGH RESISTANCE.THE SEAT BACK WAS REMOVED AND AIRBAG REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER AND $981.00 MY CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10939041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL - THE CAR IS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE AND IS EMITTNG A STRONG ORDER OF GAS FUMES AND I AM AFRAID THESE GAS FUMES COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE
NHTSA complaint #10913823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER FUELING UP THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR UNTIL THE TANK IS ABOUT 3/4 FULL. THE CAR HAS ONLY 54K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10870020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. AFTER REFUELING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE LEVEL SENSOR COVERS WERE LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10825252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350. AFTER REFUELING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #10691619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.