2003 Mercedes Benz CLK320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
45,527 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 19 complaints (21.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Structure: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Air Bags:Side/Window: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10184527 · 2007-03-08 (March 8, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES CLK 320. SHE HAS HAD FAILURES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE MAY 2004. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A GRINDING NOISE, OFTEN HESITATED, AND FELT AS THOUGH IT HAD SLIPPED GEARS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING THE VEHCICLE'S SPEED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL STALLING INCIDENTS. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,800 MILES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10184527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11001570 · 2017-06-26 (June 26, 2017)
MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320 THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JUNE 9, 2017. THE ENGINE IS MELTED AND DESTROYED LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED DESPITE IT HAPPENED AROUND A BUSY AREA. I AM COMPLETELY IN SHOCK STILL, NOT KNOWING WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED UNTIL I CAME ACROSS A WEBSITE STATING THAT OTHER MERCEDES BENZ MODELS HAVE HAD THEIR ENGINES CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE MORE THAN ONCE IN CONSECUTIVE ATTEMPTS. (WHILE READING THAT LAST PARAGRAPH, I DO RECALL TRYING TO DO JUST THAT SINCE THE CAR DECIDED TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 143,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11001570 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250530 · 2008-12-02 (December 2, 2008)
I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE RECALL ID# 08V303000-ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS AFFECTING MY CAR AND MERCEDES REFUSES TO FIX IT. IT IS A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION THAT MADE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MB THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL DID NOT EXIST. THEN THEY SAID THAT IT EXISTED AND APPLIED TO THE 2003 CLK (WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE) BUT NOT TO MY VIN. THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME TO GET THIS SOFTWARE CALIBRATED WHEN IT'S UNDER A RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR AND CLASS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328049 · 2010-04-29 (April 29, 2010)
2003 MERCEDES (CONVERTIBLE) 350 CLK TRAVELING APPROX 35 MPH ON 2-LANE ROAD VEERED RIGHT AND STRUCK A PARKED CAR, CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $20,000 DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE MERCEDES (TOTAL LOSS). NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, ALTHOUGH THE REAR SEAT ROLL BARS DID DEPLOY. DRIVER HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL, SUFFERING CONCUSSION. APPARENTLY THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 43,132 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328049 at NHTSA ↗