2004 Mercedes Benz CLK500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 14 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 50.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Seat Belts: 3; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Power Train: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10327902 · 2010-04-28 (April 28, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE WHEN THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT WHICH WAS WHERE ITS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10327902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10445717 · 2012-01-28 (January 28, 2012)
STRONG SMELL OF GAS FUMES AT REAR WHEEL WELL AREA WHEN FUEL TANK IS FILLED. DEALER FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND WAS FILLING THE RECESSED AREA ON TOP OF FUEL TANK WITH GAS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PLASTIC SENDING UNIT HAS A SMALL CRACK OR PIN HOLE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I FOUND ON THE MERCEDES BENZ USER BLOG THAT OTHER CLK OWNERS HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. I CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ USA AND FILED A COMPLAINT STATING THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10381946 · 2011-02-07 (February 7, 2011)
I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET WHEN THE MERCEDES BENZ STARTED JERKING. AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE PAST 2ND GEAR; THUS, I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET WITH A 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. THEN, AS I WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR FINALLY STALLED. LUCKILY, BECAUSE IT WAS AN INTERSECTION, THE ONCOMING CARS MANEUVERED AROUND ME. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION, IT STARTED UP AGAIN, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT INTO A PARKING LOT (ONCE AGAIN, NOT PAST 2ND GEAR). I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10381946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10794424 · 2015-11-17 (November 17, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 121,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10794424 at NHTSA ↗