2005 Mercedes Benz CLK320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
69,896 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Seats: 2; Tires: 2; Service Brakes: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2006: 3; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10151852 · 2006-03-06 (March 6, 2006)
TIRES ON THE MERCEDES CLK320 ARE NOT DESIGNED TO LAST VERY LONG AND BECOME "BALD" QUICKLY CREATING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANGER AT THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THE TIRES SUPPLIED WITH THE CAR ARE RATED FOR ONLY 8,000 TO AT BEST 11,000 MILES. THEY TIRES CAN NOT HANDLE SIMPLY BRAKES IN THE ROAD AND RIP APART VERY EASILY. I KNOW OF SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS CAR THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 15,518 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10689619 · 2015-02-20 (February 20, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,680.
Owner-reported narrative. 133,680 miles reported. Look up ODI 10689619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341826 · 2010-07-07 (July 7, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED ALL OF THE SERVICE LIGHTS AND SENSORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD TURN ON AND OFF. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS WOULD ALSO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY SUSPECT THAT IT COULD BE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE …
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10341826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11092499 · 2018-05-08 (May 8, 2018)
MY 2005 MERCEDES CLK320 CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND TOTALED. IT STARTED WITH SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AC VENTS. WHEN I TURNED THE AC OFF THE SMOKE GOT WORSE AND FIRE PROCEEDED.
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11092499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539955 · 2023-08-21 (August 21, 2023)
Transmission slips out of gear while driving when you accelerate.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165668 · 2006-08-16 (August 16, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER SEAT IN THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD ON ITS OWN, PUSHING THE CONTACT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECORDING THE CORRECT SEAT POSITION OF EACH DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, BOTH FRONT TIRES MADE A THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. A SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE WEAR ON THE TREAD WAS UNEVEN. DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING STAGGERED WHEELS, THE TIRES COULD NOT BE ROTATED.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165668 at NHTSA ↗