Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class recall history and complaint patterns

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: 2025-12-22 (NHTSA data snapshot)

← View all Mercedes-Benz models

At a Glance

Total Recalls 5

Total Complaints 40

Years Covered 2000–2006

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Coverage spans model years 2000–2006 with 5 recall campaigns and 40 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2004 (2), 2006 (1), and 2005 (1).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2001 (15), 2003 (10), and 2004 (8).
Top recall themes: Electrical and Seats and restraints.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Engine and engine cooling, Power train:automatic transmission.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Electrical

1 campaign · Years: 2003–2006

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):

08V303000 · Electrical system

Seats and restraints

1 campaign · Years: 2004

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

03V534000 · Seat belts

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class in NHTSA complaint data are Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Engine and engine cooling, Power train:automatic transmission.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year	Recalls	Complaints	Details
2006	1	6	Both recalls and complaints recorded. Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling.
2005	1	0	Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2004	2	8	Both recalls and complaints recorded. Top complaint areas: Air bags, Equipment, Power train:automatic transmission.
2003	1	10	Both recalls and complaints recorded. Top complaint areas: Equipment:mechanical:accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift, Exterior lighting:headlights, Tires:sidewall.
2001	0	15	Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued. Top complaint areas: Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Engine and engine cooling, Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).
2000	0	1	Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued. Top complaint areas: Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel.

What to Do Next

Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Electrical system and Seat belts

Show recall evidence by year

2006

Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →

Show official notice text

Summary: 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-clas

2005

Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →

Show official notice text

Summary: 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-clas

2004

Seat belts: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
View official NHTSA notice (03V534000) →

Show official notice text

Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, some seat belt buckles may have a burr on a metal component of the locking mechanism. The presence of the burr could prevent the seat belt from locking under certain circumstances.
Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →

Show official notice text

Summary: 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-clas

2003

Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →

Show official notice text

Summary: 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-clas

Other Mercedes-Benz Models

Explore recall and complaint data for other Mercedes-Benz models.

⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.