2003 Mercedes Benz CLK CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
29,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 10 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 20.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
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 | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Body:Bumpers: 1; Tires: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2011: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10240228 · 2008-08-29 (August 29, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TWO OTHER VEHICLES WERE MODERATELY DAMAGED BY THE FLAMES. HE NOTICED EXCESSIVE POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE GROUND WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED. A POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP OR THE LINES/FITTINGS/HOSES WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR "B" SERVICE, BUT NO FAILURE COULD…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,528 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558710 · 2014-01-06 (January 6, 2014)
I HAVE HAD SEAT BELT TROUBLE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS WEAK TO RETRACT. THAN 9 MONTHS LATER IT GAVE OUT ON ME. I LOOKED INTO IT ONLINE AND IT TURNS OUT ALMOST ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE 100,000 MILES. THERE ARE DOZENS OF FORUMS IN COMPLAINTS PLENTY OF PEOPLE SAYING THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM TO IN EACH. ITS A HAZARD THAT PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THESE CARS AND DECIDE THEY DON'T HAVE $500 TO BUY A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR PLUS $200 IN LABOR. ALSO IT OFTEN LEAVES NO WARNING THAT IT WON'T RETRACT. THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT ONE DAY AND S…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232784 · 2008-06-30 (June 30, 2008)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. RUSTED AND CORRODED TRANS AT 24,000 MILES CAUSED BY FAULTY MERCEDES VALEO RADIATOR. MERCEDES OWN STAR BULLETIN TELLS DEALERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT MY DEALER DECIDED NOT TO CHECK IT OUT AND NOW MERCEDES AND DEALER ARE REFUSING TO HELP WHEN THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MANY OF THEIR MODELS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073868 · 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN TO PULL INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING, BUT IT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHEN IT SMASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A 3 FEET LONG BRAKE MARK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073868 at NHTSA ↗