Mercedes Benz CL600 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
74,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 to 2005 model years. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 31 complaints (48.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 15 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
Suspension: 15; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Structure: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2006: 4; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 6; 2012: 5; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10158817 · 2006-06-02 (June 2, 2006)
BOUGHT CAR FEB. 2005; IT HAS BEEN IN (WARRANTY COVERED) REPAIR 6 TIMES FOR GRINDING IN REAR WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THE ABS SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS REPAIRS TO REAR & FRONT AXLES & BALL BEARINGS & HYDRAULICS. STILL THE NOISE CONTINUES. ALSO WHEN TRAVELING OVER 40 MPH, THE REAR JUMPS TO SIDE WHEN SMALL BUMPS ARE HIT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11513963 · 2023-03-27 (March 27, 2023)
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz CL600. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, a warning message stating that the ABS system needed to be serviced was displayed. The contact noticed that the front end of the vehicle had dropped. The vehicle was taken to an unknown location, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger shock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under in NHTSA Campaign Number…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11513963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455052 · 2012-04-12 (April 12, 2012)
ABC HOSE LEAKED HYDRAULIC FLUID IN HUGE PUDDLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. NOT LONG AFTER THE WHEELS WERE SITTING ON TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. MERCEDES SERVICE DIAGNOSED AS HOSE THAT REQUIRES TRANSMISSION TO BE REMOVED TO FIX. WAS TOLD RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2004 SO I HAD TO PAY FULL REPAIR PRICE ($4,700). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10408522 · 2011-06-22 (June 22, 2011)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THEN THE CARS SUSPENSION STARTED ACTING ERRATIC, I COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TILL A SHORT TIME LATER. MY CARS SUSPENSION RAISED AND LOWERED IN A VIOLENT WAY. MY HEAD WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND BACK IN THE HEAD REST. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. I CONTACTED MERCEDES, AND THEY TOLD ME IN SO MANY WORDS, TOO BAD FOR ME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10408522 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 |
2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 0