Mercedes Benz CLS550 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
62 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
66,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 46 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 62 complaints (41.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 14 | 22.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 9.7% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 8.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.8% |
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 | 26 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 26; Fuel System, Gasoline: 8; Suspension: 6; Air Bags: 5; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 4; Power Train: 4; Service Brakes: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 4; 2013: 6; 2014: 9; 2015: 4; 2016: 6; 2017: 8; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 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 10400684 · 2011-05-12 (May 12, 2011)
2007 MERCEDES BENZ CLS-550, FUEL SYSTEM LEAK, 24,272 MILES, TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER CLAIMED THAT FUEL SENDER CAP WAS VERY LOOSE, DEALER REPLACED GASKET FOR FUEL SENDER. FOURTEEN DAYS AFTER, REFILLED CAR WITH GASOLINE, HAD A FUEL LEAK AGAIN, DROVE TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL SENDER HOUSING THE PLASTIC PLUG USED TO MOUNT PRESSURE SENSOR FOR EVAP. SYSTEM, NEEDS REPLACEMENT OF FUEL SENDER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 24,272 miles reported. Look up ODI 10400684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10468843 · 2012-08-01 (August 1, 2012)
WHEN II FILL MY GAS TANK I SMELL GAS FUMES IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL IS COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A MERCEDES MECHANIC WHO IS A FRIEND OF MINE AND HE SAID IT IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. HE PULLED OUT MY SEAT AND THEIR WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS ON TOP OF THE UNIT. WHEN I FILL MY TANK TO UNDER 3/4 THERE IS NO SMELL. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND APPARENTLY THERE IS AN ON GOING INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA REGARDING THE E SERIES MERCEDES WHICH HAS THIS PROBLEM. THE CLS 550 IS ON THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448635 · 2022-01-24 (January 24, 2022)
The 2006 Mercedes Benz CLS500 was designed with a SBC braking system that uses a microcomputer to monitor the car and driver actions. The system sounds like a milestone achievement in braking technology, unfortunately its prone to failure. The entire system relies on electronics. Before long, wiring in the SBC braking system deteriorates, and suddenly the SBC system no longer functions. What happens is all of a sudden a warning light comes on and this message all in bright red saying, ‘Brake malfunction. Ineffective braking,’” Stepping on t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448635 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10451128 · 2012-03-12 (March 12, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ S550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THAT THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437059 · 2021-10-17 (October 17, 2021)
Re 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS500_ 211017_114326 On August 9, 2021, my brakes went out on the freeway when trying to dodge debris and other vehicles, when the brakes completely went out and caused me to run over major wood pallet debris, and scared for my.life to get to the far right lane to make it off te exit with no brakes whatsoever. and causing major under-carriage repairs. Rather than hit the cars on each side of me, all I could do at that point was get over lanes with no brakes, and make it off the exit before I killed myself and/or s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11437059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11443620 · 2021-12-13 (December 13, 2021)
No notice Brake Failure. Coming up to the corner of my sub-division before making a right turn onto a busy 4 lane road, Stepped on the brakes and nothing happened ! Swerved to the left to avoid hitting a jeep that was stopped in front of me also waiting for traffic to clear enough to make the right turn. My car traveled into the busy road, and its a Miracle I didn't get killed by a truck traveling 50 mph that might have T-boned my car on the driver side door. Car was beeping a loud noise and the instrument panel was lit up in Red with the f…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11443620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10299073 · 2010-01-11 (January 11, 2010)
BOUGHT THIS CERTIFIED CLS550 FROM KEYES EUROPEAN MERCEDES IN VAN NUYS,CA ON 11/23/2009 WITH 42000 MILES AS SOON AS I GOT THE CAR HOME I NOTICED THE FAN WAS OVERLY LOUD AND MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS READING 110. CALLED DEALERSHIP THEY SAID FAN MOTOR ON THESE CARS ARE ALL EXTREMELY LOUD AND TEMP. SOUNDED OKAY. TWO WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING WHEN I WAS ALERTED TO TURN OFF ENGINE IMMEDIATELY DUE TO CAR SERIOUSLY OVERHEATING. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT BAD ON CAR. ALSO BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I BOUGHT CAR. KEEP IN MIND I…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10299073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11163610 · 2018-12-27 (December 27, 2018)
DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE JERKED AND LOSSES ALL POWER. ENGINE REVS BUT DOESN'T MOVE. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TRANSMISSION WENT INTO 'LIMP' MODE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT. MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS REPORTING SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 722.9 TRANSMISSION VALVEBODY, CONDUCTOR PLATE, AND/OR TCM. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS COUNTLESS OTHER PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THIS SAME ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.
Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229593 · 2008-06-02 (June 2, 2008)
MY 2007 MERCEDES CLS 550 ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT OFF FOR A FRACTION OF SECOND DURING DRIVING,EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED UP,BRAKE AND STEERING AND I ENDED UP IN A DITCH. ODOMETER OF THE CAR 18,800MILES. LAST MAINTENANCE AT 11,000 MILE AT AMERICAN SERVICE CENTER IN ARLINGTON,VA. FEW DAYS AGO THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE I MANEUVERED TO PASS A CAR ON A HIGHWAY, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF IN A FRACTION OF A SECOND. JUST BEFORE THAT I COULDN'T STAR THE CAR WITH THE KEYLESS AT A GAS STATION, THE CAR THEN STARTED FEW MINUTES LATER. MERDECDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10246439 · 2008-10-22 (October 22, 2008)
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND INABILITY TO PROCEED AT MORE THAN 20 MPH. IT HAS NOW RECURRED TWICE AND VEHICLE FLATBEDDED TO AGENCY. HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR SIX DAYS WITH NO REPAIR. SERVICE MANAGER DENIES THAT THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE BECAUSE HIS DIAGNOSTICS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10851440 · 2016-03-24 (March 24, 2016)
EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY TANK WITH GASOLINE, ONCE I PARK IN THE GARAGE, THE GARAGE IS FILLED WITH STRONG GAS FUMES FROM MY CAR. I CHECKED FOR LEAKS UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND NOTHING. I HAVE TO RAISE THE GARAGE DOOR TO LET THE FUMES OUT, DUE TO GETTING LIGHTHEADED FROM THE FUMES. THE FUMES REMAIN WITH THE CAR FOR 7-10 DAYS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. THIS PROBLEM IS A DANGER TO MY FAMILY'S HEALTH!!!! SURELY, THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM! 2ND ISSUE: I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND THE FAN KEPT RUNNING. I NOTICED THAT THE FAN W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10851440 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 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
2006: 1; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 3