2008 Mercedes Benz CLK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
21,429 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking 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 10282730 · 2009-09-03 (September 3, 2009)
2008 CLK 550 - TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN DRIVE, WHEN SHIFTER INDICATED THAT CAR WAS IN PARK. WE WERE ADVISED THAT A SHIFT LINKAGE CLIP BROKE. THE CAR DROVE UNCONTROLLED INTO A LOW WALL DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED 5 MINUTES BEFORE IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 17,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10321556 · 2010-03-23 (March 23, 2010)
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT PULLED AWAY FROM THE ANCHOR PLUG AND KEEPS MOVING TOWARD THE GAS AND BREAK PEDDLES. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES BUT BECAUSE OF TALK OF SUCH A CONDITION CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH A GAS OR BREAK PEDDLE I HAD TO PURCHASE AN ENTIRE SET OF NEW MATS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD MAT.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10321556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10345740 · 2010-07-27 (July 27, 2010)
I HAVE SENT A COMMUNICATION TO MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC ON 7/15/2010, NEXT DAY AFTER MY INJURY FROM ONE OF THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC FEATURE (HEAD REST AUTOMATICALLY THRUSTS DOWN WHEN THE LEVER IS LIFTED AND SEAT MOVES FORWARD). IT'S A 2 DOOR SPORTS VEHICLE, SO IT WILL BE ALWAYS THE ACTION OF THE CONSUMER/VEHICLE OWNER TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE BACK SEATS. ON 7/14/2010 @ AROUND 1900: MY RIGHT ARM FLESH/SKIN GOT WEDGED/MANGLED INTO THE HEAD REST 'STEEL' OF THE CAR PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE HEAD- REST-STEEL AUTOMATICALLY RAMMED/THRUST/PUSH LOWER CONTINUOUS…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,257 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568245 · 2014-03-10 (March 10, 2014)
THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRUNK SIMPLY FELL OFF. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE THAT SIMPLY JUST WENT AHEAD AND GOT IT FIXED WITHOUT POSTING IT. THIS IS A DEFECT WHERE THE RED LENS SEPARATES FROM THE LIGHT HOUSING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER SHOWS RED WHEN BRAKING. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTINUES TO RE-OCCUR EACH TIME IT IS REPLACED AT A COST OF $352.50 EACH TIME, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHI…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568245 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.
08V303000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2008-07-07 (July 7, 2008)
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗