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U.S. public vehicle records

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS550: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

10 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

74,717 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior220.0%
Transmission and shifting110.0%
Steering behavior110.0%
Fuel system concerns110.0%

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.

Suspension
2
Air Bags
1
Fuel/Propulsion System
1
Power Train
1
Service Brakes
1
Steering
1
Structure:Body
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Suspension2
Air Bags1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train1
Service Brakes1
Steering1
Structure:Body1
Unknown Or Other1

Suspension: 2; Air Bags: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 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.

2014
1
2017
1
2019
1
2020
3
2022
2
2025
1
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20141
20171
20191
20203
20222
20251
20261

2014: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2022: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10667190 · 2014-12-18 (December 18, 2014)

WHILE DRIVING ON CHICAGO EXPRESSWAY, VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND BECAME INOPERATIVE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK ON EXPRESSWAY, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM CAR. MESSAGE ON CAR DISPLAY WAS "INOPERATIVE" "SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL". *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 7,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667190 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11055895 · 2017-12-21 (December 21, 2017)

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM THE NAME DEALERSHIP ONLINE. THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS WITHIN APPROX. 20 MINS AFTER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE FOR OPERATION. I WAS TOLD BY THE SELLER AND DEALERSHIP... TEXT MESSAGE SAVED, THAT THEY STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND THAT THE VEHICLE BEING SOLD ONLINE HAD NO PROBLEMS AND PASS ALL REQUIRED USED CAR INSPECTIONS, CARFAX TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. I RESIDE IN MS, SEARCHED ONLINE SOME TIME PRIOR TO BUYING. I READ THE DEALERSHIP REVIEWS WHICH WERE SATISFACTORY UNTIL …

Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11055895 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11187069 · 2019-03-15 (March 15, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRAIN, NECK, AND LOWER BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11187069 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11317698 · 2020-03-12 (March 12, 2020)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND OR REVERSING WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO PARK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF WILMINGTON LOCATED AT (3801 LANCASTER PIKE, WILMINGTON, DE 19805 [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GPS/TRACKING DEVICE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE DIAGNOSED AND THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 76,434 miles reported. Look up ODI 11317698 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11321079 · 2020-04-14 (April 14, 2020)

ON MARCH 8 2020 I WAS DRIVING MY 2014 MERCEDES BENZ CLS550 STRAIGHT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED, GLASS SHATTERING EVERYWHERE. GLASS HIT MY FACE AND WENT DOWN MY BACK AND CUT MY HANDS. I DIDN'T CRASH THE CAR NOR WAS ANY OTHER DAMAGE DONE THAN THE SUNROOF. I PULLED OVER WHEN IT WAS SAFE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NO OBJECT HAD CAME THROUGH THE SUNROOF. THE FRONT OF THE SUNROOF WAS INDENTED INWARD AND GLASS WAS ANGLED OUTWARD AS IF IT HAD EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 760,000 MERC…

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11321079 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11338036 · 2020-07-07 (July 7, 2020)

WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN GARAGE, WE BEGAN NOTICING A PROFUSE GAS/FUEL SMELL. IT BECAME INCREASINGLY STRONG IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 3 DAYS AFTER SMELL WAS NOTICED, I CONTACTED THE LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP TO ADVISE OF THE ISSUE. I ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, AND DISCOVERED THAT PREVIOUS YEARS SPECIFICALLY; 2006-2011 CLS CLASS VEHICLES EXHIBITED THE SAME DEFECT WHICH WAS ADDRESSED WITH THE NHTSA AND TO WHICH MB-USA AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR "COVERED FUEL TANK COMPONENTS" FROM THE ORIGINAL 4 YEARS TO 15 YEA…

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338036 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11468097 · 2022-06-07 (June 7, 2022)

Front passenger assembly strut went out suddenly while driving almost caused an accident.No warning signs just gave out. Vehicle is in the shop but cannot be repaired because the part is out of stock and no ETA on when vendor will restock them.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11468097 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11496131 · 2022-12-05 (December 5, 2022)

have a 2014 cls-550 with extensive subframe rust. It is currently sitting at the dealership for $3,158 in repairs for a vehicle that is less than 10 years old. There needs to be a recall on the subframe for the c, cls, e, and like models. This is not the Mercedes’-Benz quality I expected. After extensive research, members all over the globe are experiencing the same issue. This isn’t user error. It’s manufacturer error. You need to make this right with your customers. Period. I have attached photos of my subframe. I’m severely disappointed with…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11496131 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

15V088000 · Structure:Body:Hood

Reported: 2015-02-13 (February 13, 2015)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 E350 Sedan, E350 4Matic Sedan, E350 4Matic Station Wagon, E400 Hybrid Sedan, CLS 550 CGI, and CLS550 4Matic, 2013-2014 E550 4Matic Sedan, 2013 E63 Sedan, E63 Station Wagon and CLS63, 2014-2015 CLS63 4Matic, E63 4Matic Sedan, E63 4Matic Sedan "S", and E63 4Matic Station Wagon, 2015 CLS400, 2015 E400 Sedan, E400 4Matic Sedan and CLS400 4Matic and 2014 CLS63 "S". The affected vehicles have a rubber seal at the back of the engine bay that may temporarily stick to the hood when it is opened and then may fall into the engine bay when the hood is closed.

Consequence: If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will attach four additional retaining clips to the rubber seal, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-201-573-5339. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015020001.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V137000 · Exterior Lighting

Reported: 2015-03-10 (March 10, 2015)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLS 400 and CLS 400 4matic, 2012-2015 CLS 550 and CLS 550 4matic, 2012-2013 CLS 63, 2014 CLS 63, and 2014-2015 CLS 63P. The affected vehicles have LED tail lights that may not light on the sides, reducing the rear side visibility of the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: Reduced rear side marker illumination may prevent other drivers from seeing the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the lighting controller software, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015030005.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V177000 · Electrical System:Software | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

Reported: 2017-03-14 (March 14, 2017)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V787000 · Communication

Reported: 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Consequence: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

NHTSA campaign record ↗