2000 Mercedes Benz CLK430 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 20 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 20.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 15.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
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 | 5 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 4 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 4; Power Train: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10161748 · 2006-07-07 (July 7, 2006)
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CPS) FAILED ON MY 2000 CLK 430. WAS REPLACED BY DEALER FOR $296. FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES, INCLUDING ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ENGINE SHUTS OFF OR REFUSES TO TURN OVER WHEN HOT (ALTHOUGH BATTERY KEEPS CRANKING), THEN AFTER 20-30 MINUTES IT TURNS ON FINE WHEN COOLED DOWN. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10534614 · 2013-08-10 (August 10, 2013)
I OWN A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT SPORADIC FAILURE OF THE ABS, BAS, ESP SYSTEMS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE. ON OCCASIONS THE GAS PEDAL STICKS AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP TO DANGEROUS SPEED. THE CAR HAS TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND ONCE STOP AND RESTART, IT WOULD RUN NORMAL AGAIN, AND THE CAR SHOWS "NO MALFUNCTION". RECENTLY ON JULY OF 2013, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SPED UP ON IT OWN AND ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE ABS/BAS/ESP REPORTED AS FAILED, BUT THE CAR DID STOP WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10368110 · 2010-11-29 (November 29, 2010)
SHIFT LEVER INOPERATIVE/ ERRATIC: 2000 CLK430 BEING DRIVEN WHEN TRANSMISSION REFUSED TO SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR, THEN SECOND GEAR, AND FINALLY NOT AT ALL! HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP, SHOP FOUND SHIFTER HAD GONE BAD. I DIDN'T KNOW THE TRANSMISSION WAS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. $1500 LATER IT NOW RUNS OUT FINE. MILEAGE WAS 77K. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10368110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10401158 · 2011-05-16 (May 16, 2011)
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LED PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 MERCEDES CLK 430 HAS BECOME MORE OF A PROBLEM WITHIN THE PAST MONTH. IT HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY NOW. WHENEVER I START THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR INDICATOR DOES NOT INDICATE WHICH GEAR I'M IN AND THE CAR PROCEEDS IN LOW MODE UNTIL I PULL OVER AND RESTART IT. THE SAFETY HAZARD LIES IN THE FACT THAT I DON'T CHECK MY GEAR INDICATOR CONSTANTLY, SO IF IT FAILS AND I DON'T NOTICE, THE LOW/SLOW MODE THAT THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO COULD GET ME KILLED ON ANY STREET WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS AT LEAST 3…
Owner-reported narrative. 165,456 miles reported. Look up ODI 10401158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083399 · 2004-07-21 (July 21, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED THE FAILURE ON THE QUALITY OF GAS IN THE STATE. A FACTORY REP REFUSED TO COME OUT BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10412231 · 2011-07-14 (July 14, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN A CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL OR REVERSE, WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL AS A RESULT. THE CHILD THEN TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT IT WAS REPAIRED FOR BODY DAMAGES. A COMPLAINT WAS ALSO FILED WITH THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10412231 at NHTSA ↗