2005 Mercedes Benz CLK500 problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK500. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 147,000.

NHTSA complaint #11686621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

The driver side seat belt. The seat belt won't retract. Yes, the seat belt is available for inspection upon request. The driver side seat belt is useless, because there is no tension in restrain your body from moving. No, the dealer will not fix the issue. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership. No warning lamps, messages, etc... prior to the driver side seat belt failed.

NHTSA complaint #11568322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LOW BEAM IS OUT, DISCOVERED THAT ON BOTH SIDES ALL THE HEADLIGHT WIRES HAVE LOST ALL THE INSULATION. PICTURES CAN BE TEXTED.

NHTSA complaint #11362778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS TANK LEAKS, CAR IN MOTON IN THE STREET

NHTSA complaint #11133230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL ALL AROUND THE AUTOMOBILE. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THE CEL WILL COME ON WITH CODE P0456. A SMOKE TEST OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK SHOWED THERE WAS A LEAK. PART NO: W0133-2075480. THIS PART IS THE SAME DESIGN AS WHAT IS ON THE CLS. THIS SAME FUEL SMELL ISSUE IS ON THE E CLASS AND CLS CLASS AND A WARRANTY EXTENSION HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 15 YEARS BUT NOTHING FOR THE CLK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH HEAT AND FUEL AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MERCEDES NA . AFTER DISCUSSING WITH MERCEDES THEIR STANCE IS THIS IS A NORMAL WARE ITEM. I DO NOT BUY IT.

NHTSA complaint #11101590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I'VE STARTED NOTICING A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AFTER FILLING UP THE CAR. THE GAS FILL DOOR IS ON PASSENGER SIDE. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB, IT'S COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS FILED FOR THE S CLASS AND E CLASS MODELS OF MERCEDES THAT WERE HAVING THIS SAME GAS FUMES ISSUE AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. MERCEDES OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF UP TO 15 ADDITIONAL YEARS FOR THE AFFECTED CARS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS A CRACK IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, OR IN SOME CASES A SEAL ON A VENT HOSE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I'VE LEARNED THAT MY MODEL OF MERCEDES SHARES THE SAME FUEL TANK AS THE OTHER CARS MENTIONED ABOVE. I REACHED OUT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID I SHOULD CALL THE HELP CENTER OF MERCEDES BENZ AND SEE IF THEY'D REPAIR MY ISSUE TOO. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY MAKE AND MODEL YEAR WAS NOT COVERED. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN ABOUT THE STRONG GAS FUMES SMELL AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EXPLOSION IN MY GARAGE SHOULD A SPARK OR FLAME IGNITE THE FUMES. THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE AND TOLD ME IF I WAS A LOYAL CUSTOMER MAYBE THEY COULD DO MORE. I TOLD THEM THAT I SURE DIDN'T THINK THEIR RESPONSE TO ME WAS ANY WAY TO CREATE LOYALTY. I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BUT SO FAR, MERCEDES HAS BASICALLY TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT HELP. PLEASE HELP!! SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10953761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, A MESSAGE READING "THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SRS, SEE A MECHANIC SOON" ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

NHTSA complaint #10722288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY ONE EVENING AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. USING A FLASHLIGHT, FOUND A DRIP COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE CAR. THE NEXT MORNING A LARGE GAS STAIN WAS APPARENT UNDER THE CAR, BUT THE DRIP HAD STOPPED. STARTED THE CAR AND THE GAS LEAK BEGAN AGAIN. DROPPED THE PANELS UNDER THE CAR AND THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE TANK. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT A DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THE TANK IS CRACKED.

NHTSA complaint #10669815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER, CAR EVENTUALLY GAINED POWER AND ACCELERATION, ONCE DRIVING SLOWER THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF AFTER ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD CAME ON. SELLING DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS A SENSOR BUT THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING ALWAYS FLICKER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10475964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER, CAR EVENTUALLY GAINED POWER AND ACCELERATION, ONCE DRIVING SLOWER THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF AFTER ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD CAME ON. SELLING DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS A SENSOR BUT THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING ALWAYS FLICKER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10475964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER, CAR EVENTUALLY GAINED POWER AND ACCELERATION, ONCE DRIVING SLOWER THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF AFTER ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD CAME ON. SELLING DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS A SENSOR BUT THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING ALWAYS FLICKER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10475964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN EMPTY READING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,760.

NHTSA complaint #10395466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE ON A SURFACE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. ENGINE SWITCHED OFF ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL. CAR DID RESTART AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART AFTER THAT FAILED. THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH (EZS OR EIS CONTROL MODULE). THE EXPLANATION I RECEIVED WAS THAT IT HAS CERTAIN COMPUTER CIRCUITS THAT AFFECT NOT ONLY STARTING BUT OTHER CAR SYSTEMS. IN FACT, INCORRECT PROGRAMMING OF THE REPLACEMENT MODULE CAUSED ME TO BE UNABLE TO LOWER THE SOFT-TOP AS IF ONE WASN'T INSTALLED. REPROGRAMMING THE UNIT TO "TELL" THE NEW MODULE THAT THIS VEHICLE ISA CONVERTIBLE SOLVED THAT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10382876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE AIR BAGS. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS IN BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

NHTSA complaint #10377015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE DRIVER SEAT WAS FOLDED FORWARD AND BACKWARD, IT WOULD LOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND CAUSED ALL OTHER ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS FOR THAT SEAT TO FAIL; THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WOULD FAIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SEAT RAILS, FRAME AND MADE ALL OTHER NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #10328747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND IT FELT LIKE THE CAR RAN OVER SOMETHING. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE HAD RAN COMPLETELY FLAT WITH TREAD SPLITTING ALL AROUND IT. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED BUT I HAVE CONTACTED THE MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE TIRE HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE ARE DEFECTS WITH THE TIRES BECAUSE THE OTHER FRONT TIRE HAS A BUBBLE IN THE TREAD.

NHTSA complaint #10275003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

DATE OF PURCHASE WAS 01/10/2005 SERVICE#1.1ST WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS ON 01/18/2005 MILEAGE IN WAS 788 MILES, THE FRONT & REAR, BOTH HAD TO BE RE-ALIGNED, REPLACED PARTS WERE WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-L SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-R SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND CAR WAS TESTED TO VERIFY PULL TO THE RIGHT, THEY FOUND CAMBER ON LEFT FRONT OUT OF SPECS ALSO VEHICLE HAS A 0.14 SPLIT IN CASTER R&R TWO LOWER ENCAP PANELS INSTALL CASTER KIT ON RIGHT FRONT AND INSTALL CAMBER KIT ON LEFT FRONT PERFORM FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT ROAD TEST CAR AFTER THE CAR WAS COMPLETED. SERVICE #2. AT 1,766 I REQUESTED ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AGAIN. SERVICE #3 04/25/2005 AT 6174 MILES AND 05/10/2005 AT 6,310 MILES AFTER HIGH SPEED PANIC STOP ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTH A SEMI TRAILER TRUCK SWERVED INTO THE PASSING LANE CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID THE TRAILER ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IMMEDIATELY CAUSED THE CAR TO BEGIN TO SHAKE, SHIMMY AND RATTLE DOWN THE FREEWAY UNTIL I COULD REACH A SAFE STOPPING POINT. I COULD NOT STOP ON THE FREEWAY I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT AND TRAFFIC WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. THIS PANIC STOP REQUIRED ME TO GET ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT. SERVICE #4. 06/21/05 AT 8,548 MILES SERVICE DIRECTOR OF MERCEDES-BENZ TOM FOX TEST DROVE MY CAR AND HE AGREED THAT THE CAR PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT CHANGING LANES BY IT''S SELF. THE CARS WINDOWS ALSO DO NOT ROLL UP ALL THE WAY, THEY REACH THE TOP AND THEN ROLL BACK DOWN HALF WAY. THE HOOD (FIRE) INSULATION HAS SHRUNK AND RIPPED OFF THE TOP OF THE HOOD AND IS FALLING INTO THE ENGINE. TOM STATED WHEEL ALIGNMENT IN NOT TOTALLY FIXABLE, THE WINDOW MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE HOODS FIRE INSULATION ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN DIEGO IS ALLOWING ME TO PICK UP MY CAR TOMORROW 06/27/2005. THEY (MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN DIEGO) ARE TYING TO TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR TO PULL TO THE RIGHT?

NHTSA complaint #10126783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK

DATE OF PURCHASE WAS 01/10/2005 SERVICE#1.1ST WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS ON 01/18/2005 MILEAGE IN WAS 788 MILES, THE FRONT & REAR, BOTH HAD TO BE RE-ALIGNED, REPLACED PARTS WERE WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-L SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-R SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND CAR WAS TESTED TO VERIFY PULL TO THE RIGHT, THEY FOUND CAMBER ON LEFT FRONT OUT OF SPECS ALSO VEHICLE HAS A 0.14 SPLIT IN CASTER R&R TWO LOWER ENCAP PANELS INSTALL CASTER KIT ON RIGHT FRONT AND INSTALL CAMBER KIT ON LEFT FRONT PERFORM FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT ROAD TEST CAR AFTER THE CAR WAS COMPLETED. SERVICE #2. AT 1,766 I REQUESTED ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AGAIN. SERVICE #3 04/25/2005 AT 6174 MILES AND 05/10/2005 AT 6,310 MILES AFTER HIGH SPEED PANIC STOP ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTH A SEMI TRAILER TRUCK SWERVED INTO THE PASSING LANE CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID THE TRAILER ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IMMEDIATELY CAUSED THE CAR TO BEGIN TO SHAKE, SHIMMY AND RATTLE DOWN THE FREEWAY UNTIL I COULD REACH A SAFE STOPPING POINT. I COULD NOT STOP ON THE FREEWAY I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT AND TRAFFIC WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. THIS PANIC STOP REQUIRED ME TO GET ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT. SERVICE #4. 06/21/05 AT 8,548 MILES SERVICE DIRECTOR OF MERCEDES-BENZ TOM FOX TEST DROVE MY CAR AND HE AGREED THAT THE CAR PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT CHANGING LANES BY IT''S SELF. THE CARS WINDOWS ALSO DO NOT ROLL UP ALL THE WAY, THEY REACH THE TOP AND THEN ROLL BACK DOWN HALF WAY. THE HOOD (FIRE) INSULATION HAS SHRUNK AND RIPPED OFF THE TOP OF THE HOOD AND IS FALLING INTO THE ENGINE. TOM STATED WHEEL ALIGNMENT IN NOT TOTALLY FIXABLE, THE WINDOW MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE HOODS FIRE INSULATION ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN DIEGO IS ALLOWING ME TO PICK UP MY CAR TOMORROW 06/27/2005. THEY (MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN DIEGO) ARE TYING TO TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR TO PULL TO THE RIGHT?

NHTSA complaint #10126783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH AND ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED; ALL OF THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING WENT OUT. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, AND PUT IT IN PARK. THAT NIGHT HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND UNTIL TODAY THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10124456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.