Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLK350 with NHTSA between 2016 and 2022.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 15
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz CLK350. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2009 compares with every other Mercedes Benz CLK350
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Mercedes Benz CLK350
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
220.0%
Median failure at 40,030 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
220.0%
Median failure at 48,795 miles
Other & Unspecified
110.0%
Median failure at 75,739 miles
Stability & Traction Control
110.0%
Median failure at 75,739 miles
Seats
110.0%
Median failure at 123,000 miles
Wheels
110.0%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Brakes
110.0%
Median failure at 75,739 miles
Airbags
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 100,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
222.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
111.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
333.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
333.3%
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.
Dec 2016peak 3Aug 2022
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 123,000 milesAlpharetta, GA1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT HEADREST AIR BAG EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LOSS OF HEARING IN HER LEFT EAR THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SOS SYSTEM ALERTED HER OF A FAILURE AND A TOW TRUCK WAS SENT TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RBM OF ALPHARETTA (345 MCFARLAND PKWY, ALPHARETTA, GA 30004) HOWEVER THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE DEALER WAS WAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO ADVISE AND SEND A FIELD INSPECTOR TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #11341777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesSarasota, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT LAST FEBRUARY, MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AS COMPARED TO THE OTHER VEHICLE (TOYOTA) WHERE HER AIRBAG WORKED. MY CAR AND THE OTHER PERSON'S CAR WERE TOTALED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE ROAD WHEN THE DRIVER ON THE RIGHT SIDE LANE HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, SPUN AROUND, AND CROSS OVER TO MY LANE AND HIT ME HEAD ON. A ROAD DUE TO MY ACCIDENT, I SUSTAINED A FRACTURE OF MY NECK AND STILL HAVE ONGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENTS. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11089883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 40,030 milesCorona, CA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:AIR HANDLER/CHAMBER, DUCTS, AND VALVES
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes - Benz CLK350. The contact stated he turned on the air condition of his vehicle and an odor of mold came from the vents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that there was no recall for that failure. The manufacturer was contacted, and they also stated that there was no recall for the failure and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 40,030.
NHTSA complaint #11480577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesAlpharetta, GA1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT HEADREST AIR BAG EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LOSS OF HEARING IN HER LEFT EAR THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SOS SYSTEM ALERTED HER OF A FAILURE AND A TOW TRUCK WAS SENT TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RBM OF ALPHARETTA (345 MCFARLAND PKWY, ALPHARETTA, GA 30004) HOWEVER THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE DEALER WAS WAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO ADVISE AND SEND A FIELD INSPECTOR TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #11341777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR STATE EMISSION TESTING AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11331944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,739 milesArlington, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING STRAIGHT ABOUT 25MPH ALONG A AN OTHERWISE EMPTY RESIDENTIAL STREET. EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE MICRO-BURSTS OF SUDDEN, BRIEF, VIOLENT, UNINTENDED BRAKING. DRIVER'S FOOT WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKING WAS SO VIOLENT THAT THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND MADE SKIDDING SOUNDS AND OCCUPANTS WERE SHAKEN. EACH INCIDENCE OF BRAKING WAS VERY SHORT, PERHAPS A FRACTION OF A SECOND. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (WHILE TRAVELING ~25MPH) THERE WERE ABOUT FOUR SEPARATE "BRAKES" WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THIS OCCURRED ONLY TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME. I PROCEEDED HOME AT A MUCH SLOWER PACE WITH THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS FLASHING. EN ROUTE I EXPERIENCED SEVERAL MORE INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN, BRIEF, VIOLENT UNINTENDED BRAKING. NO WARNING LIGHTS (E.G. ESP) FLASHED DURING ANY OF THE BRAKING EPISODES. EVEN AT LOW SPEED ON A EMPTY ROAD THE UNINTENDED BRAKING WAS SO VIOLENT AS TO LEAVE ME SHAKEN. IF IT OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED, ON A BUSY ROAD, AND/OR OF WITH AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS.
NHTSA complaint #11218056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,739 milesArlington, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING STRAIGHT ABOUT 25MPH ALONG A AN OTHERWISE EMPTY RESIDENTIAL STREET. EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE MICRO-BURSTS OF SUDDEN, BRIEF, VIOLENT, UNINTENDED BRAKING. DRIVER'S FOOT WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKING WAS SO VIOLENT THAT THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND MADE SKIDDING SOUNDS AND OCCUPANTS WERE SHAKEN. EACH INCIDENCE OF BRAKING WAS VERY SHORT, PERHAPS A FRACTION OF A SECOND. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (WHILE TRAVELING ~25MPH) THERE WERE ABOUT FOUR SEPARATE "BRAKES" WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THIS OCCURRED ONLY TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME. I PROCEEDED HOME AT A MUCH SLOWER PACE WITH THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS FLASHING. EN ROUTE I EXPERIENCED SEVERAL MORE INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN, BRIEF, VIOLENT UNINTENDED BRAKING. NO WARNING LIGHTS (E.G. ESP) FLASHED DURING ANY OF THE BRAKING EPISODES. EVEN AT LOW SPEED ON A EMPTY ROAD THE UNINTENDED BRAKING WAS SO VIOLENT AS TO LEAVE ME SHAKEN. IF IT OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED, ON A BUSY ROAD, AND/OR OF WITH AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS.
NHTSA complaint #11218056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,739 milesArlington, VA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
DRIVING STRAIGHT ABOUT 25MPH ALONG A AN OTHERWISE EMPTY RESIDENTIAL STREET. EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE MICRO-BURSTS OF SUDDEN, BRIEF, VIOLENT, UNINTENDED BRAKING. DRIVER'S FOOT WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKING WAS SO VIOLENT THAT THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND MADE SKIDDING SOUNDS AND OCCUPANTS WERE SHAKEN. EACH INCIDENCE OF BRAKING WAS VERY SHORT, PERHAPS A FRACTION OF A SECOND. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (WHILE TRAVELING ~25MPH) THERE WERE ABOUT FOUR SEPARATE "BRAKES" WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THIS OCCURRED ONLY TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME. I PROCEEDED HOME AT A MUCH SLOWER PACE WITH THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS FLASHING. EN ROUTE I EXPERIENCED SEVERAL MORE INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN, BRIEF, VIOLENT UNINTENDED BRAKING. NO WARNING LIGHTS (E.G. ESP) FLASHED DURING ANY OF THE BRAKING EPISODES. EVEN AT LOW SPEED ON A EMPTY ROAD THE UNINTENDED BRAKING WAS SO VIOLENT AS TO LEAVE ME SHAKEN. IF IT OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED, ON A BUSY ROAD, AND/OR OF WITH AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS.
NHTSA complaint #11218056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesSarasota, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT LAST FEBRUARY, MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AS COMPARED TO THE OTHER VEHICLE (TOYOTA) WHERE HER AIRBAG WORKED. MY CAR AND THE OTHER PERSON'S CAR WERE TOTALED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE ROAD WHEN THE DRIVER ON THE RIGHT SIDE LANE HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, SPUN AROUND, AND CROSS OVER TO MY LANE AND HIT ME HEAD ON. A ROAD DUE TO MY ACCIDENT, I SUSTAINED A FRACTURE OF MY NECK AND STILL HAVE ONGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENTS. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11089883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesLA Palma, CA
WHEELS
THE TPMS CONSTANTLY DISPLAYS FALSE WARNING MESSAGES ABOUT THE TIRES BEING LOW ON PRESSURE. THIS BEGAN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN THE CAR WAS 7 YEARS OLD, 100K MILES. NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE DEALER AND OTHER REPAIR SHOPS HAS NOT ALLEVIATED THE PROBLEM. TPMS CONSTANTLY GIVING A FALSE WARNING ABOUT LOW TIRE PRESSURE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. MUCH LIKE SMOKE ALARMS WHICH GIVE FALSE NOTICE, FALSE TIRE PRESSURE WARNINGS WILL BE IGNORED. THE VEHICLE IS TYPICALLY IN A MOVING CONDITION WHEN THE TPMS ISSUES A FALSE ALERT.
NHTSA complaint #11072179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesBoca Raton, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #10955306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,590 milesWoodstock, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
STRONG FUEL ODOR OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE FOLLOWING FILL UP. MILEAGE 59590.JUST PURCHASED USED WITHOUT EXTENDED WARRANTY.. HAVE NOT TAKEN FOR SERVICE. WILL SEEK INFO PRIOR TO TAKING TO MB SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10937449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.