Mercedes Benz CLS CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
19,824 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2006 model years. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 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 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2006: 3; 2008: 2; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10165432 · 2006-08-14 (August 14, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE AND DIMINISHED STOPPING POWER. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231881 · 2008-06-21 (June 21, 2008)
OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS DESPITE MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. SPECIFICALLY WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF WARRANTY DEFECTS INCLUDING: - WINDSHIELD FLUID CLOGGING - SUNROOF MOTOR REPAIR - DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE - BATTERY/ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - CRACKED KEYS - RADIO FAILURE - SEAT ADJUSTMENT KNOB FALLING OFF (2X) - CENTER CONSOLE BREAKAGE - REAR VIEW MIRROR DIMMING PROBLEMS THE MOST DISTURBING ISSUE TO DATE WAS THE CAR RECENTLY SHUTTING DOWN POWER WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME ON …
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170905 · 2006-10-16 (October 16, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE WAS EITHER TURNED OFF AND BACK ON OR PLACED INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT AFTER 1000 MILES, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE VALVE BODY BUT AFTER TWO MONTHS THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT AWAITS ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,028 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509911 · 2013-04-29 (April 29, 2013)
WHEN I FILLED THE FUEL TANK, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF GAS FUMES. THE WHOLE GARAGE SMELLED STRONGLY OF GAS FUMES AND GAS WAS DRIPPING ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. IF THE HOT WATER HEATER DECIDED TO IGNITE, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIMILAR ISSUE TO NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA 13-003. THE CLS CLASS AND THE E CLASS SHARE THE SAME CHASSIS AND FUEL TANK. IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE EXPAND YOUR INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE CLS CLASS VEHICLES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10509911 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
2006: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 | 1 | Not available |