2008 Mercedes Benz CLK350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 15 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 20.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Power Train: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 3
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 11045751 · 2017-11-13 (November 13, 2017)
MY WIFE TOLD ME HER HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN I REPLACED THE BULB, I FOUND THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND HEADLIGHTS IS DETERIORATING LEAVING EXPOSED BARE WIRES CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, EQUIPMENT FAILURES, ELECTRICAL FIRES, LEADING TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS. MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT SUPPLYING A FIX AS REPORTED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS. ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURERS ARE DENYING COVERAGE DUE TO THE WIDE SPREAD DEFECT ACROSS THE MERCEDES BENZ MODELS.
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11045751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11124551 · 2018-09-05 (September 5, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND "CHECK SRS AIR BAG" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WIRING FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11124551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11073073 · 2018-02-15 (February 15, 2018)
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IDENTIFIED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK'S "FUEL SENDER". SMALL CRACK IN PLASTIC FUEL SENDER AT POINT WHERE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO SENDER ALLOWED GASOLINE TO ACCUMULATE OVER TIME IN AREA SURROUNDING SENDER AND THEN TRAVEL TO UNDERSIDE OF CAR IN AN AREA IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO EXHAUST SYSTEM. AT TIME LEAK WAS DISCOVERED APPROX 1/4 CUP OF FUEL HAD ACCUMULATED. HAD PROBLEM NOT BEEN DISCOVERED A CAR FIRE WAS INEVITABLE
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11073073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11173029 · 2019-01-30 (January 30, 2019)
PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL WITH MILEAGE 43,000. FILLED UP THE GAS TANK ON TWO OCCASIONS. AFTER EACH OCCASION, PLACED CAR IN GARAGE AFTERWARD AND CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. THE SMELL OF RAW GAS WAS OVERWHELMING AS SOON AS GARAGE DOOR WAS SHUT. DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING SMELL AND SAFETY CONCERN, CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. NO LEAKS ON GARAGE FLOOR WERE FOUND. CAR PARKED IN GARAGE THE NEXT DAY WITHOUT THE SMELL OF RAW GAS.
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11173029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361155 · 2020-09-25 (September 25, 2020)
MANY OWNERS OF LATE-MODEL MERCEDES-BENZ CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.5L V6 ENGINES (M272 OR M273) HAVE EXPERIENCED PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE POOR IDLE, LOSS OF POWER AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A P2006 CODE (OR SOMETIMES OTHER CODES). THE SHAFTS WILL FAIL INSIDE THE MANIFOLD AND BIND, CAUSING THE LEVER TO BREAK AND THE CAPS SHOWN TO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE POPPING OFF THE MANIFOLD.
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361155 at NHTSA ↗