2002 Mercedes Benz CL600: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
76,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 13 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Suspension: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10158817 · 2006-06-02 (June 2, 2006)
BOUGHT CAR FEB. 2005; IT HAS BEEN IN (WARRANTY COVERED) REPAIR 6 TIMES FOR GRINDING IN REAR WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THE ABS SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS REPAIRS TO REAR & FRONT AXLES & BALL BEARINGS & HYDRAULICS. STILL THE NOISE CONTINUES. ALSO WHEN TRAVELING OVER 40 MPH, THE REAR JUMPS TO SIDE WHEN SMALL BUMPS ARE HIT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250393 · 2008-12-01 (December 1, 2008)
CAMPAIGN#2005060019 SEPTEMBER2005 -CYLINDER SHUT-OFF OIL PRESSURE SENSOR DEFECT 2002 CL600 ON 10.12.2005 CERTIFIED MB DEALER \RETAILER CLOSED THE CAMPAIGN FOLLOW PRIOR TO DATE CODE 1291LISTED IN THIS CAMPAIGN .ON OR ABOUT 1 YEAR THE PART WITH DATE CODE 1631 DEFECTED AND MAKE ESTIMATE DAMAGES DETERMINED FROM MB DEALER EWING AUTO HOUSE FOR $10000.INCLUDE IN THIS ESTIMATE IS ME CONTROL UNIT WHICH WARRANTY BY MB IS LISTED 8YEARS AND 80000MILES.MB USA AND EWING AUTO HOUSE DINAY ENY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. IF OIL TRAVEL THROUGH CABLE HARNESS A…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250393 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259130 · 2009-02-17 (February 17, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL-600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION IN THE VEHICLE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED AND THE ABC PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE LEAKED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HYDRAULICS, SEAL RINGS, AND VALVES. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE REPAIR COSTS TOTALLED APPROXIMATELY $10,000. HE HAD NOT NOTICED ANY FAILURES SINCE RETRIEVING THE VEHI…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10395688 · 2011-04-13 (April 13, 2011)
I HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES CL600 AND IT HAS A ENGINE OIL LEAK. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE LEAK MIGHT CAUSE THE FIRE IN ENGINE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BUT THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE IT. THE MERCEDES IS ASKING 5500 USD TO FIX IT. I CANT CAUSE I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY. AS I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON OF A PROBLEM FOR CL600. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 81,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10402966 · 2011-05-27 (May 27, 2011)
THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM SUSPENSION GOES ERRATIC, RAISING AND LOWERING AS IT PLEASES. DANGEROUS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10408522 · 2011-06-22 (June 22, 2011)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THEN THE CARS SUSPENSION STARTED ACTING ERRATIC, I COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TILL A SHORT TIME LATER. MY CARS SUSPENSION RAISED AND LOWERED IN A VIOLENT WAY. MY HEAD WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, AND BACK IN THE HEAD REST. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. I CONTACTED MERCEDES, AND THEY TOLD ME IN SO MANY WORDS, TOO BAD FOR ME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10408522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10414034 · 2011-07-21 (July 21, 2011)
I OWN A 2002 CL-600 THAT HAS A TERRIBLE ENGINE OIL LEAK. THE DEALER WANTS $5,800 TO REPAIR THE OIL COOLER. SEARCHING THE WEB SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES 12 CYLINDER ENGINES. BECAUSE LEAKING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL ONTO A HOT MOTOR IS A SERIOUS FIRE SAFETY ISSUE, MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL ALL 12 CYLINDER CARS AND INSTALL A BETTER DESIGNED OIL COOLER. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10414034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455052 · 2012-04-12 (April 12, 2012)
ABC HOSE LEAKED HYDRAULIC FLUID IN HUGE PUDDLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. NOT LONG AFTER THE WHEELS WERE SITTING ON TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. MERCEDES SERVICE DIAGNOSED AS HOSE THAT REQUIRES TRANSMISSION TO BE REMOVED TO FIX. WAS TOLD RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2004 SO I HAD TO PAY FULL REPAIR PRICE ($4,700). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455052 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.
04V228000 · Suspension
Reported: 2004-05-13 (May 13, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH-PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HEAT AND HUMIDITY. OVER TIME, CORROSION MAY DETERIORATE THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE HOSE.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE. UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW, CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH-PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 31, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗