2001 Mercedes Benz CLK CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
58,938 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 28.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 21.4% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv) | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm): 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv): 1; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 2 |
2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 6; 2008: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking 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 10083528 · 2004-07-22 (July 22, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE . PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095870 · 2004-10-16 (October 16, 2004)
IN MOST PARKING LOTS, LOW CONCRETE "CURBS" ARE PLACED IN STALLS TO PREVENT CARS FROM PULLING TOO FAR FORWARD. TYPICAL CURBS ARE ABOUT SIX INCHES IN HEIGHT. WHEN PARKING IN MANY LOTS IT IS NECESSARY TO PULL A CAR FORWARD SO THE FRONT TIRES TOUCH (OR NEARLY TOUCH) THESE CURBS. OTHERWISE, THE BACK END OF THE CAR WILL BE TOO FAR OUT IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE 2001 MERCEDES CLK 430 IS PRONE TOWARD DAMAGE ON THESE CURBS WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING STALL. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE OF A LIP ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FRONT BUMPER…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163069 · 2006-07-21 (July 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WATER WAS SPILLED ON THE CONSOLE CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT IN THE CONSOLE WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200844 · 2007-08-27 (August 27, 2007)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 WILL FREQUENTLY BECOME STUCK IN ONLY ONE GEAR. MOST OFTEN 3RD GEAR, BUT SOMETIMES 2ND. THIS IS A TERRIFYING SITUATION FOR ME, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC, AS THE AUTOMOBILE DOES NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP IN 3RD GEAR AND ABRUPTLY SLOWS WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR IN 2ND. 2ND GEAR ALSO LIMITS THE SPEED OF THE CAR SIGNIFICANTLY AND HAS CAUSED ME TO BE THE TRAFFIC SLOWDOWN AT RUSH HOUR ON MANY OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS, AS I CANNOT GET THE CAR OUT OF A BUSY INTERSECTION …
Owner-reported narrative. 59,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159952 · 2006-06-15 (June 15, 2006)
1ST, IN MAY 2006, I WAS PARKING MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ, CLK-430, INTO PARKING LOT AT 7-11 STORE. I PLACE THE SHIFTER INTO P (PARK). THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AT THIS TIME. I REMOVE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR RUNNING BACK OUT OF THE PARKING STALL AS IF IT WAS IN THE REVERSE GEAR. I PLACED MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR MOVEMENT. I PLACE THE SHIFTER BACK IN THE DRIVE LOCATION AND DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PLACE. AND PLACE THE SHIFTER BACK IN PARK AND AGAIN THE CAR START ROLLING BACKWARDS. ON THE SAME EVENING…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159952 at NHTSA ↗