2005 Mercedes Benz CLK320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
69,896 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Seats: 2; Tires: 2; Service Brakes: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 1 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 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2006: 3; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10151852 · 2006-03-06 (March 6, 2006)
TIRES ON THE MERCEDES CLK320 ARE NOT DESIGNED TO LAST VERY LONG AND BECOME "BALD" QUICKLY CREATING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANGER AT THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THE TIRES SUPPLIED WITH THE CAR ARE RATED FOR ONLY 8,000 TO AT BEST 11,000 MILES. THEY TIRES CAN NOT HANDLE SIMPLY BRAKES IN THE ROAD AND RIP APART VERY EASILY. I KNOW OF SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS CAR THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 15,518 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162342 · 2006-07-13 (July 13, 2006)
BLOW OUT OF RIGHT REAR TIRE (COSTCO ITEM #758707 BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE RE750 245/40R17 ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE) RESULTING IN $2000 WORTH OF VEHICLE DAMAGE. DEFECTIVE TIRE REMNANTS SENT TO BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE. THEIR INSPECTOR DENIES THAT THE TIRE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECT IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP. I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE OBJECTIVELY EVALUATED THE TIRE REMAINS AND ARE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID EXCEPTING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE BLOWOUT WHICH WOULD AMOUNT TO COVERING MY $2000 OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165668 · 2006-08-16 (August 16, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER SEAT IN THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD ON ITS OWN, PUSHING THE CONTACT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECORDING THE CORRECT SEAT POSITION OF EACH DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, BOTH FRONT TIRES MADE A THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. A SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE WEAR ON THE TREAD WAS UNEVEN. DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING STAGGERED WHEELS, THE TIRES COULD NOT BE ROTATED.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341826 · 2010-07-07 (July 7, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED ALL OF THE SERVICE LIGHTS AND SENSORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD TURN ON AND OFF. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS WOULD ALSO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY SUSPECT THAT IT COULD BE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE …
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10341826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10475081 · 2012-09-11 (September 11, 2012)
THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON ONCE BEFORE LIKE 6 MONTHS BACK, AND THE MECHANIC CLEARED THE CODE. THIS LIGHT CAME BACK ON SEPT 5, 2012. THE MERCEDES DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE 2 FAULT CODES: 1. 900B - PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE 2. 9243 - PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IGNITION SQUIB THIS CAR HAS ONLY CLOSE TO 37,000 MILES. AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENTS. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION. I VERY STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS POOR WORKMANSHIP BY MERCEDES AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A REC…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10475081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10649422 · 2014-10-23 (October 23, 2014)
SRS LIGHT APPEARED AND WE TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD THE REPAIR DONE ON 10/03/14. WE THOUGHT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT AND THE REPAIR CHARGES WERE PAID BY US. WONDERING IF THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 69,896 miles reported. Look up ODI 10649422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10651136 · 2014-10-29 (October 29, 2014)
SEAT BELT EXTENDED WITHOUT TENSION AND CONTINUED TO RELEASE. SO THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS OF NO FUNCTIONAL USE. BROUGHT TO MERCEDES SERVICE, REPLACED ENTIRE SEAT-BELT AND RETRACTION SYSTEM. WAS TOLD THE WHEEL THAT RETRACTS THE BELT IS DEFECTIVE. SEEMS LIKE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE, MAYBE WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS THERE BELT, THIS WILL OCCUR, AND THE RESULT WILL NOT BE A SERVICE CALL, THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY MERCEDES... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 217,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10651136 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10680977 · 2015-02-03 (February 3, 2015)
SRS LIGHT ON DIAGNOSIS FAULTY FRONT SEAT SENSOR AND CONTROL UNIT. SRS THEREFORE NO LONGER WORKING. THIS IS THE THIRD ONE OF THESE I HAVE HAD THAT HAS HAD THIS FAULT ALL ON MERCEDES. EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS REPETITIVE AND CONTINUOUS. ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10680977 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V918000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V954000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2022-12-23 (December 23, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V874000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2024-11-19 (November 19, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗