2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
39,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 20.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2015: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10441684 · 2011-12-29 (December 29, 2011)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE SPEED JUST DROPPED FROM 80 MPH TO 40 MPH AND BRAKE LIGHTS, OF COURSE, DID NOT TURN ON. BECAUSE OF THAT, THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS NOT WARNED AND ALMOST CRASHED BEHIND ME. IT WAS NOT ONLY THIS INCIDENT BUT THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL NOT FIXED. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10441684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691644 · 2015-03-02 (March 2, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ CL550. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE INITIATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483709 · 2022-09-09 (September 9, 2022)
My 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4MATIC with 63,335 miles. it has a strong gas smell in the inside. There was a recall pertaining to, "Due to the irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the filter may crack when operated in high temperatures." I live in California and it has been very hot here. when I put my VIN into the recall system it states no recall. I also have a 2010 S550 that had the same problem last year and it also showed no recalls for this problem. If there are no recalls for all models of this vehicle …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11495721 · 2022-12-01 (December 1, 2022)
My back up just stops producing an image. I can restart the car and it might or might not come back on. For the most part the camera is on but I’ve been reading on all the MB forums this is a very common issue, with these W216 and also it’s sister car, the W221. The problem is, these were extremely low production vehicles and I’m sure not many are in existence now. I feel these 130-210k cars, shouldn’t have safety issues like this. I don’t mind paying for aging components but safety components should always be working properly. It concerns me b…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11495721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11551150 · 2023-10-21 (October 21, 2023)
On October 17, 2023, my vehicle experienced a significant issue, a fire incident, while I was leaving the garage of my house. According to the fire department & my insurance adjuster, it appeared that electrical components started the fire. Separately, on June 22, 2023, I was stuck inside the vehicle as I could not open the doors of the car. The batteries of the car had completely been drained, and the car was just jump-started by my insurance road-side assistant, but I turned off the engine (I was inside the car) forgetting about the fact that…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11551150 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V557000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 2012-12-03 (December 3, 2012)
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.
Consequence: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗