2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550

Routine

Owners filed 23 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System7
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Service Brakes3
102
Electrical System3
000
Engine2
000
Wheels1
000
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly1
000
Visibility1
000
Suspension1
000
Power Train1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Software17V177000
Filed Mar 14, 201751 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

Risk. If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Exterior Lighting15V137000
Filed Mar 10, 201530,141 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLS 400 and CLS 400 4matic, 2012-2015 CLS 550 and CLS 550 4matic, 2012-2013 CLS 63, 2014 CLS 63, and 2014-2015 CLS 63P. The affected vehicles have LED tail lights that may not light on the sides, reducing the rear side visibility of the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. Reduced rear side marker illumination may prevent other drivers from seeing the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the lighting controller software, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015030005.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch12V533000
Filed Nov 6, 201223 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2012 CLS550 and CLS550 4Matic vehicles, manufactured December 01, 2011, through December 13, 2011. The bolts that hold the hood's secondary latch striker may have been insufficiently tightened.

Risk. The reduced torque of the striker bolts might lead to a loosening of the bolts. If two of the four bolts securing the striker became loose, the secondary hood latch function would become ineffective. If this problem combines with a failure of the primary hood lock or if the hood is not properly closed, the hood could open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will check and retighten the bolts as necessary. Mercedes-Benz notified the owners by phone for this campaign starting on 11/21/2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Oct 5, 2025CT

Mercedes-Benz offers an extended warranty, effectively a 20-year/unlimited mileage coverage, for the rear subframe due to corrosion with perforation, covering specific model years my vehicles make and model are included. I’m having the issues they claim free repair for.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 3, 2025FL

For several months I been smelling different odors from my 2012 CLS550, getting stronger as the weeks go by now smelling like gas, would noticed puddles whenever I parked from rear driver side area towards middle, just got the news from the mechanic that the driver side fuel gas pump is cracked and leaking gas and passenger side is also cracked. Labor + parts $1,660.00..

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 27, 2025NV

There is a strong odor of gasoline coming from the drivers side rear. I conducted a Google search on the issue and there are a lot of instances of the same thing. It appears to be the Gas Tank Sending Unit, they have a tendency to crack and leak.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 19, 2025FL

I have Mercedes Benz CLS 550. Whenever I fill up a tank full, I smell gas in the CAR and in my garage. After researching the cause of this issue , I found its a common issue with Mercedes Benz older vehicles where the fuel sender unit cracks and start leaking Gas which is located under the rear seat driver side. Mercedes Benz sent a recall notice for same problem for older vehicles from 2006-2008 to fix this issue. Below are the steps to reproduce the issue 1. Fill the car up. 2. Drive straight home. 3. Park in the driveway. 4. Take rear seat out(pull up on the leading edge of the lower cushion...there are 2 tabs to depress then the seat comes up) 5. 8mm socket and take the drivers side inspection cover off. 6. There will be a fuel lake around that sender.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 27, 2025GA

The vehicle sunroof exploded while traveling on the interstate. Stopped and inspected the vehicle to find no impact objects inside the vehicle. Later reviewed online that this was a common problem with this modern Mercedes and the item is already under recall but not my year. I have a 2012 and the recall stops at 2011 although 2012 sunroofs are exploding too

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 30, 2024IN

Premature rusting on brake and fuel lines which lead to further issues with driveability and saftey. This us caused by the same defects leading to the Premature rust on the subframe that can cause a serious wreck on the interstate.

Visibility
Filed Sep 12, 202325,000 milesMD

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon adjusting the sun visor, the sun visor detached, compromising driving visibility. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the sun visor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Sep 8, 202386,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 15, 2022VA

The rear subframe rusted from the inside out causing structural failure of the subframe. This lead to twisting of the chassis under hard braking causing difficulty in controlling the vehicle. As you can imagine, controlling a vehicle when needing to abruptly stop is very important. The rear end felt like it was getting loose and it was very difficult to keep the car moving straight. This type of rust isn't typical on a 10 year old car with only 85,000 miles on it. This is a known issue on other Mercedes Benz models, notably the W204/C Class, to the point where it was recalled in Canada and covered under the European corrosion warranty. However, nothing is covered in the US even though this issue is known by Mercedes in other countries. This has been repaired at my expense. There were no warning messages. This vehicle has been dealer-serviced for most, if not all, of its life and this was missed on every single multi-point inspection done to the vehicle. Had I not been cognizant of how my car should drive and handle or not been able to afford the repair out of pocket, this would escalate and worsen to a bigger issue that could have eventually lead to my own injury or death or that of others.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 26, 2022MD

It has been confirmed by a glass company that the car has an improper seal/bonded windshield. The windshield is the original and the car has never been in an accident. A few years ago, i noticed a rattling that I was unable to identify. This was reported during one of the regular maintenance services but the sound was not replicated (as it would happen more often when cold). Recently, the sound has gotten worse, and I had a water leak so I suspected the windshield. As I have already stated the problem was confirmed, and you can literally push on the windshield from the inside and it lifts up. Needless, to say, this is a safety issue. Having owned several cars, I have never had such a problem and would not have expected it from a high-end vehicle.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 2, 2022MA

UNKNOWN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS REFUELED THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. IF YOU CHECK CARCOMPLIANTS. COM THE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT.. IN THE ARTICLE @ CAR COMPLAINTS .COM THE NHSTA CLAIMS IT KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT SINCE MERCEDES BENZ HAS COMPLETELY IGNORED THE THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NEITHER OF YOU HAVE NOT FOLLOWED THRU WITH MERCEDES BENZ'S OFFER TO EXTENDED A WARRANTY TO 15 YEARS FOR ALL THESE CARS , IE E CLASS, CLS550 AND OTHERS, MB DENIES THIS IS A PROPLEM ,THE NHTSA IS PART OF THE ISSUE SINCE THEY HAVE NOT ENFORCED THE PROMISE BY Mercedes BENZ TO RECALL AND EXTEND THIS ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES , since they refuse to acknowledge this issue my next step is a major class action against MB and NHSTA FOR NEGLINCE IN FOLLOWING UP ON MB PROMISES WHICH WERE MADE IN RETURN FOR THE NHSTA NOT ENFORCING A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 16, 202069,000 milesCA

CAM LINK SENSOR LEAKS OIL ONTO ENGINE HARNESS, FRYING ALL ELECTRIC COMPONENTS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STUTTER WHILE OPERATING

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 22, 2020TX

FUEL LEAK INTO REAR DRIVER SIDE BACK SEAT FROM BELOW. GAS LEAKED INTO PASSENGER CABIN DUE TO A SEAL THAT BROKE FROM GAS TANK. DANGEROUS SMELL AND FIRE HAZARD. LEAK HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, WHEN PARKED AND ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING. MBUSA AND DEALERSHIPS NOT ACCEPTING THE DEFECT AND DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES GAS TO SPUTTER INTO PASSENGER CABIN WHEN DRIVING.

Engine
Filed Apr 9, 202054,000 milesAZ

ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE SO I BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS INTO THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU. ALL OF WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $6033.00 AND THE CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 50K MILES ON IT. SEVERAL PREVIOUS YEAR MERCEDES FROM 2011 AND EARLIER HAVE A RECALL ON THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS DUE TO OIL LEAKING FROM THEM INTO ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU HOWEVER MY YEAR CAR WHICH IS 2012 HAS NO RECALL ON THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY USE THE EXACT SAME CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS YEARS WHICH IS OIL LEAKING FROM THEM AND DESTROYING EXPENSIVE PARTS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 7, 20201,000 milesAL

WHEN STARTED AND FOR SOME PERIOD AFTER WARM UP THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTORS RATTLE. THE DEALER MECHANIC CLAIMS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE SPLIT RAIL SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE. THIS MAKES THE MOTOR APPEAR TO BE KNOCKING AS THE NOISE IS LOUD. I HAVE REPORTED IT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 2017.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 6, 2019FL

FUEL LEAK FROM UNKNOWN PART OF THE TANK

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 18, 201881,000 milesFL

"FUEL LEAKING FROM GAS TANK" AFTER SMELLING A STRONG FUEL SMELL BOTH INSIDE AND OUT SIDE MY VEHICLE I TOOK TO MERCEDES 9/17/18 TO SEE IF THEY KNEW OF THE ISSUE OF IF THERE WAS SOME TYPE OR RECALL ON MY VEHICLE REGARDING A FUEL ISSUE. THE SMELL ALWAYS SEEMED STRONGER AFTER I PUT IN A FULL TANK OF GAS. THEY DID A VISUAL INSPECTION AND TOLD ME THEY SEE FUEL LEAKING FROM MY VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL RELATED RECALL. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $185 JUST TO SEE WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS AND DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A CONCERN IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE OR NOT. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP TO DO AN OIL CHANGE AND TO LOOK INTO THE FUEL ISSUE. AS I WAS IN THE WAITING AREA WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS BEING LOOKED AT THE SHOP OWNER CAME IN AND ASKED IF HE COULD SAVE MY LIFE? I THEN FOLLOWED HIM TO THE GARAGE BAY WHERE HE SHOWED ME A POOL OF GASOLINE SITTING ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK UNDERNEATH MY DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. MY GAS TANK HAD BEEN LEAKING AND COLLECTING FUEL ON TOP OF THE TANK. THE OVER FLOW OF THE LEAK WAS POURING UNDERNEATH MY CAR AND ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST. THIS HAS APPARENTLY BEEN A KNOW ISSUE AT MERCEDES BUT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. TOTAL DISREGARD FOR SAFETY OR HUMAN LIFE.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 25, 201861,000 milesMD

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 6MONTH OLD BABY AND SUDDENLY MY CAR SURGES AND LOSES POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND I MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WAIT A WHILE THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND HEAD BACK HOME. THE CEL STAYED ON BUT I STILL HAD ENGINE POWER SO I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. THIS CAR JUST HAS 60K MILES ON IT AND I TAKE IT TO MERCEDES FOR ALL THE ROUTINE CHECKS. SO THIS BEHAVIOUR WAS OUT OF NOWHERE. I DROVE IT TO MERCEDES AND GOT A DIAGNOSTIC DONE AND I WAS TOLD THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD LEAKED OIL INTO MY ENGINE HARNESS AND NOW I NEED TO FIX A LAUNDRY LIST OF THINGS AMOUNTING TO $6000. THIS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND I QUESTIONED EUROMOTORCARS IN GERMANTOWN MD HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. HOW CAN A MERCEDES THAT COST SO MUCH AND GOES THROUGH REGULAR MAINTAINABLE JUST BREAK SO SIGNIFICANTLY. ALL I GOT WAS A 'IT HAPPENS'! WELL I THINK NOT. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A WELL KNOWN FLAW WITH MERCEDES VEHICLES. THEY EVEN HAD RECALLS GO THE SAME ISSUE BUT THEY STOP AT THE 2011 MODEL. MY CAR IS 2012, EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE DUE TO THE INFERIOR PARTS USED DURING WHAT I CAN ONLY CLASSIFY AS A TERRIBLE ENGINEERING DECISION. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND PUT MYSELF AND MY BABY AT RISK. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME FLAW AND SAME DAMAGE TO THEIR MERCEDES, ON OLDER MODELS. WHY DOES THIS NOT APPLY TO THE 2012 MODEL WHEN IT IS BUILT WITH THE SAME INFERIOR PART AND EXHIBITS TH

Electrical System
Filed Feb 27, 201844,560 milesCA

THE VERY DAY I BROUGHT MY CAR HOME FROM A USED CAR PURCHASE, THE MOMENT I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK, THE MESSAGE CENTER SAID, " SOS SERVICE NOT ACTIVATED" IN A WARNING IN THE CENTER CLUSTER. IT WOULDN'T GO AWAY AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, SO I PUSHED THE SOS BUTTON AND MB ASKED ME, " WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY ?" I APPOLOGIZED AND EXPLAINED THAT I HAD RECEIVED A WARNING MESSAGE ON MY DASH. THEY ENDED THE CALL AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE WARNING WENT AWAY. THIS WAS ON FEB 1, 2018 AT 4:38 P.M.

Power Train
Filed Mar 13, 201661,000 milesTX

DRIVE SHIFT CAME APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BROKE THE FRONT AXLE DIFFERENTIAL ON THE HIGHWAY

20 of 23 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20180100Routine
20171100Routine
20160100Routine
20151400Routine
201410400Routine
20134300Routine
2012 — this page23300Routine
20114300Routine
20101300Routine
20094300Routine
200817300Routine
200735410Routine
20067100Routine

Compare every CLS550 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: Mar 14, 2017. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.