1999 Mercedes Benz CLK320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
69,495 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 4; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2009: 2; 2011: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10162880 · 2006-07-19 (July 19, 2006)
NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IN MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES THAT PREVENTS CARS FROM STARTING AND ALSO SHUTS THEM OFF WHILST ON THE ROAD AND IN MOTION. CAR DIED ON ME 6 TIMES. LUCKILY, I WASN'T TRAVELING VERY FAST BUT THIS IS VERY UNSAFE BUT I DID CAUSE A TRAFFIC DELAY AND BLOCKED THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES WHILE STALLED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 784130 · 2000-06-28 (June 28, 2000)
THE VEHICLE STARTED BACK FIRING AND STALLING, IT SUDDENTLY LOST ALL POWER, TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, WHILE THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*ET
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 784130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 559650 · 2001-02-14 (February 14, 2001)
SINCE THE DATE OF OWNERSHIP CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN, THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 898610 · 2001-10-31 (October 31, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH, POWER STEERING WENT OUT, DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER ENGINE PULLEY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 898610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280370 · 2009-08-13 (August 13, 2009)
MASSIVE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM SEALED TRANSMISSION UNIT. 1999 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320 CAUSING TRANS TO STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280370 at NHTSA ↗