2005 Mercedes Benz CLK500

Routine

Owners filed 18 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires3
002
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000
Electrical System2
000
Air Bags2
000
Steering › Rack and Pinion1
000
Seats1
000
Seat Belts1
000
Power Train1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000
Exterior Lighting1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly24V874000
Filed Nov 19, 202433,456 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Risk. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly22V954000
Filed Dec 23, 2022131,653 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Risk. A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly19V918000
Filed Dec 20, 2019747,928 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Risk. A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Sep 11, 2025147,000 milesFL

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.

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 28, 2024CA

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.

Tires1 injured
Filed Sep 29, 2023TX

Tire size: 245/40/17 Had a blowout without any warning, causing me to hit the center console and mirror receiving cuts and bruises. Immediately was pulled to the side of the road. When I got out to see what had happened, the rubber separated from the tire, which knocked off the back end of my car, scraped the entire passenger side of the car, knocking off the door handle and unclear as to what it damaged underneath my car. I have filed a complaint with the company, dealt with a Jesse Han and contacted the CEO Darren Thomas in regards to repairing the damage done. This has gone on since June and they keep giving me the run around. There are multiple problems with Sumitomo tires and the company owes for damages

Tires1 injured
Filed Jul 3, 2023TX

While driving at 60mph on the a highway, without warning the passenger rear tire had a blowout. I immediately pulled off the road and when looking to see what happened, clearly seen was the rubber from the tire completely separated from the tire, causing major damage to my car. The rubber that came unattached ripped the passenger door handle off, scratched up the entire passenger side of my car, ripped off the passenger rear bumper and underneath damage as well. When taking the tire to try and get replaced, the manager of Walmart told me this was definitely a tire manufacturer defect and I should seek for the manufacturer to cover all damage due to this defect. I have filed a complaint with Sumitomo and I have gotten no response or help with this matter. In the meantime my car is not drivable due to this damage. Because they have taken no responsibility, I am filing a complaint with The Dept. Of Transportation in order to get something done.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 5, 2020123,000 milesND

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 3, 2018GA

GAS TANK LEAKS, CAR IN MOTON IN THE STREET

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 13, 201895,000 milesNJ

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 9, 2017134,000 milesKY

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.

Air Bags
Filed May 29, 201546,000 milesMA

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 3, 201548,000 milesFL

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. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 19, 2012117,000 milesCA

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. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 11, 2011113,760 milesFL

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.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 16, 201134,000 milesTX

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. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 18, 201127,000 milesFL

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.

Seats
Filed May 4, 2010FL

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.

Tires
Filed Jun 25, 200922,000 milesOH

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. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jun 28, 2005788 milesCA

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 HOO

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 7, 20053,500 milesCA

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.*AK

18 of 18 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20070100Routine
20065400Routine
2005 — this page18300Routine
200414300Routine
20031300Routine

Compare every CLK500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 19, 2024. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.