2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 16 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 6 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
Seat Belts: 6; Electrical System: 4; Air Bags: 3; Power Train: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 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 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2020: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10251423 · 2008-12-10 (December 10, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. WHEN THE CONTACT SAT DOWN AND STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ARM EXTENDERS CAME FORWARD AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT MOVE AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NEW ARM EXTENDERS WERE NEEDED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THE ARM EXTENDERS STAY IN ONE PLACE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE MAY BE ELECTRICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,155. UPDATED 01/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AT A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIRMAN HAD TO PULL THE SEAT BELT…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,155 miles reported. Look up ODI 10251423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10265466 · 2009-04-15 (April 15, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR IS ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANS THE SRS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FROM LOCKING PROPERLY. THERE IS ALSO A TELE-AIDE INDICATOR FLASHING IN THE CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03V534000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10621264 · 2014-08-10 (August 10, 2014)
WE WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT. WE OWN A 2004 CLK320 WHICH HAS PRESENTED WITH CONTINUING PROBLEMS. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE ALIGNMENT WAS DEFECTIVE IN WHICH REQUIRED REALIGNMENT AND REAR TIRE REPLACEMENT. AT 21,937 MILES THE CAR PRESENTED WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THE CAR WOULD JERK/STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE FELT WE WERE GOING TO GET REAR-ENDED AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,714 miles reported. Look up ODI 10621264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10861476 · 2016-04-26 (April 26, 2016)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS DEVELOPED A CONDITION THAT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT VERY ROUGHLY AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS SHIFTING CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STUTTER WHEN DOWN SHIFTING OR SHIFTING FROM 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. I HAVE HAD A TRANSMISSION SERVICE, REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION, REPLACEMENT RADIATOR ALL INSTALLED TO NO AVAIL. THE CONDITION IS AT BEST A NUISANCE, AND AT ITS WORST A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS ROUGH SHIFTING OCCURS IN THE LOWER GEARS, AND AT LOWER SPEEDS.
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10276470 · 2009-07-12 (July 12, 2009)
MY VOLTAGE REGULATOR WENT OUT IN MY BENZ. IT SURGED AND DESTROYED OTHER COMPONENTS OF MY VEHICLE. NOT TOO MENTION THAT THIS IS HIGHLY IN SAFE. I RESEARCHED ON LINE, AND MERCEDES BENZ HAD DONE A VOLUNTARY RECALL, BUT THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE NOW, AND ARE DENYING IT. THEY SAY MY VIN DOESN'T MATCH, AND I QUESTIONED THERE INTEGRITY. THIS IS SUCH A DANGEROUS ISSUE, AND I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD SON THAT MUST RIDE IN THIS CARE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS, AND IT IS DANGEROUS, BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT- NOW THAT IS …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11302271 · 2020-01-27 (January 27, 2020)
THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT A COLLISION. I WAS DRIVING 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WITH ROADS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND PASSENGER DASH AIRBAGS WENT OFF OUT OF N O WHERE.
Owner-reported narrative. 217,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11302271 at NHTSA ↗