10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,099 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #13

Jan 122015

CL500

  • 130 miles
I have a Mercedes CL500 while driving the car the lights in the speedometer everything went out I had to check it when I got home I was able to get speedometer working again gas gauge by replacing fuse the lights in the background are still not working also I have an issue with the vehicle active body control I have a leak suspension goes all the way down I would like to know if there is a recall to get this fixed and how I go about this.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #12

Dec 302015

CL500

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz CL500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front of the vehicle was abnormally lowering to the ground. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #11

Jun 032013

CL500

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz CL500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, smoke started to emit from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was fluid leaking from the active body control module. The contact was a certified mechanic who replaced an O-ring. However, the failure recurred. In addition, the drive careful warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Hayward , CA, USA

problem #10

Nov 122011

CL500 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
This is a C230 kompressor coupe. The rear differential made a loud noise and then locked up after being driven slowly to a shop. It was later learned that this is a very common occurrence with the early 2002 C class cars but as usual, there is no recall. I contacted mbusa and they offered no assistance. This car has also recently shown evidence of rusting. I contacted mbusa about that and learned that the mb corrosion protection in the U.S. is merely four years. I also found that most of the other german luxury automakers have used galvinized steel for decades, unlike the manufacturing practices of mb. Overall, between built-in mechanical failures and the rust, and the fact that mbusa does not stand behind their vehicles, I will certainly steer clear of Mercedes in the future.

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #9

Aug 062009

CL500

  • 41,000 miles
2002 Mercedes Benz CL500 the right front of the vehicle began to sag & the instrument panel illumination cluster suddenly went completely dark without any warning whatsoever. This has been occurring intermittently, the dealership always charges us each occurrence to "fix it.". now I find both problems are in safety campaign numbers 04V228000 and 06V028000 these are recalls. What can I do to get these problems fixed correctly this time without the dealership trying to use us as a cash horse & getting ripped off as it is happening again. The panel is completely dark & we cannot see any gauges or indicators. Thank you for your kind assistance.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #8

Nov 062008

CL500 8-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl class. The contact stated that his vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 07V263000 (suspension). The dealer repaired the abc valve block at the cost of $2,200 and stated that there were materials in the fluid of the abc system, which caused the blockage. There is a hose that connects to the system and the fluid only enters one way and exits the same way; therefore, the blockage is due to the failure of the hose that is attached. Currently, a week later, the failure has recurred with the rear abc valve. The repair also cost $2,200. The dealer accused the contact of being the cause of the failure, but offered to repair the vehicle for free. The failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 11/26/08 updated 12/01/08.

- Grayson, GA, USA

problem #7

Aug 272008

CL500

  • 54,000 miles
Left rear of car sinks after sitting for more than 8 hours. Mercedes Benz has repaired many times but the problem still comes back. Repaired measures include replacing valves associated with the abc suspension, the abc pump has also been replaced and have also flushed the abc fluid and replaced the filter on many occasions. However, the problem has not gone away. Sometimes when the car is sitting for more than a day the active body control alarm comes on in the instrument cluster. I have not observed any abc fluid loss.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #6

Jul 132007

CL500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,162 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes Benz Cl class. The contact stated that the abc light was illuminated and he noticed that the vehicle was leaking hydraulic fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer due to a recall and the failure was repaired. The dealer stated that they repaired the abc pressure hose and the hydraulic pump leak. The contact was charged $2,824 for the repair work and was informed that a defective recall part caused the failure. The NHTSA recall number was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 70,162.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 312006

CL500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle intermittently rose up and down without warning. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the abc system was inoperable. There was a NHTSA recall #04V228000 concerning the suspension. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #4

Nov 012001

CL500

  • miles
Vehicle has experienced one flat tire and one blowout, no tire information given, consumer states that the vehicle shakes when driving over 60 mph.

- Espanola, NM, USA

problem #3

Jun 052002

(reported on)

CL500

  • miles
While starting vehicle there is constant vibration until vehicle has heated up approximately 20 minutes. Dealer has been notified, mechanic has not found what was causing the problem. While in repair dealer provided several rental cars to consumer, and all of the rental cars were experiencing the same problem.

- Havel, MA, USA

problem #2

Dec 292001

CL500

  • miles
Vehicle would wander to right when driven. Vehicle been in dealer shop on four occasions, and problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 312001

CL500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle home from the dealership, a light on instrument panel came on, stating "unsafe to drive vehicle." Dealership examined vehicle and determined that "automatic body control system" for suspension had malfunctioned, this caused the left rear portion of frame to drop down. The dealer replaced two valves and when the vehicle was returned to consumer the vehicle had an oil leak of over two quarts, consumer returned vehicle to dealership and a replacement vehicle was ordered which is expected to be delivered in late November.

- Pinehurst, NC, USA