2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
49,280 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 23 complaints (34.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 17.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 17.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Engine: 4; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Steering: 2; Suspension: 2
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 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 |
2012: 2; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 5
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10472927 · 2012-08-29 (August 29, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,878.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,878 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10478737 · 2012-10-05 (October 5, 2012)
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. T THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 980. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 980 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11130069 · 2018-09-18 (September 18, 2018)
"FUEL LEAKING FROM GAS TANK" AFTER SMELLING A STRONG FUEL SMELL BOTH INSIDE AND OUT SIDE MY VEHICLE I TOOK TO MERCEDES 9/17/18 TO SEE IF THEY KNEW OF THE ISSUE OF IF THERE WAS SOME TYPE OR RECALL ON MY VEHICLE REGARDING A FUEL ISSUE. THE SMELL ALWAYS SEEMED STRONGER AFTER I PUT IN A FULL TANK OF GAS. THEY DID A VISUAL INSPECTION AND TOLD ME THEY SEE FUEL LEAKING FROM MY VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL RELATED RECALL. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $185 JUST TO SEE WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS AND DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A CONCERN IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAF…
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11130069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11229713 · 2019-07-06 (July 6, 2019)
FUEL LEAK FROM UNKNOWN PART OF THE TANK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11229713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11320626 · 2020-04-09 (April 9, 2020)
ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE SO I BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS INTO THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU. ALL OF WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $6033.00 AND THE CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 50K MILES ON IT. SEVERAL PREVIOUS YEAR MERCEDES FROM 2011 AND EARLIER HAVE A RECALL ON THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS DUE TO OIL LEAKING FROM THEM INTO ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU HOWEVER MY YEAR CAR WHICH IS 2012 HAS NO RECALL ON THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY USE THE EXACT…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11320626 at NHTSA ↗