Total Complaints
10 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS · model year
10 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004MERCEDES-BENZCL CLASS carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 CL CLASS is electrical system with 2 filings, followed by air bags (1) and exterior lighting (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2004 CL CLASS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
10 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,809.
Mileage: 42,809
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL WITH MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 TL TIRES, LINE SIZE 225/55/R17, DOT NUMBER: 898KEF1X4707. THE CONSUMERS GRANDSON WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT, HIT A SIGN POST AND CAME BACK ONTO THE ROAD INTO THE RIGHT LANE TO REST. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE ESTIMATED MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS 16,000 AND THE REMAINING TREAD DEPTH WAS 5/16 INCHES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE SHOULD RETURN THE TIRE TO THEM FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 08/31/11*LJ ACCORDING TO MICHELIN. THE TIRE CAME IN CONTACT WITH AN UNKNOWN OBJECT OR OBSTRUCTION, WHICH CUT AND ABRADED THROUGH THE SIDEWALL RUBBER AND POLYESTER PILES CAUSING RAPID LOSS OF AIR. MICHELIN DENIED THE CONSUMERS CLAIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATE 09/09/11*JB
Mileage: 88,000
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE BECOMING WORSE B/C THE CAR FREEZES; THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONS & LOCKS UPON STARTING THE CAR & SOMETIMES, WHILE IN MOTION; IN ADDITION TO OTHER MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVING: SEAT BELT, SEAT HEAD REST, HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, REAR FOG LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS; HEAT/AIR CONDITIONER, SRS, & AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE & I BARELY HAVE MY CAR B/C THE SVC. CNTRS HAVE M
Mileage: 37,000
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE BECOMING WORSE B/C THE CAR FREEZES; THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONS & LOCKS UPON STARTING THE CAR & SOMETIMES, WHILE IN MOTION; IN ADDITION TO OTHER MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVING: SEAT BELT, SEAT HEAD REST, HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, REAR FOG LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS; HEAT/AIR CONDITIONER, SRS, & AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE & I BARELY HAVE MY CAR B/C THE SVC. CNTRS HAVE M
Mileage: 37,000
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE BECOMING WORSE B/C THE CAR FREEZES; THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONS & LOCKS UPON STARTING THE CAR & SOMETIMES, WHILE IN MOTION; IN ADDITION TO OTHER MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVING: SEAT BELT, SEAT HEAD REST, HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, REAR FOG LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS; HEAT/AIR CONDITIONER, SRS, & AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE & I BARELY HAVE MY CAR B/C THE SVC. CNTRS HAVE M
Mileage: 37,000
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE BECOMING WORSE B/C THE CAR FREEZES; THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONS & LOCKS UPON STARTING THE CAR & SOMETIMES, WHILE IN MOTION; IN ADDITION TO OTHER MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVING: SEAT BELT, SEAT HEAD REST, HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, REAR FOG LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS; HEAT/AIR CONDITIONER, SRS, & AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE & I BARELY HAVE MY CAR B/C THE SVC. CNTRS HAVE M
Mileage: 37,000
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE BECOMING WORSE B/C THE CAR FREEZES; THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONS & LOCKS UPON STARTING THE CAR & SOMETIMES, WHILE IN MOTION; IN ADDITION TO OTHER MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVING: SEAT BELT, SEAT HEAD REST, HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, REAR FOG LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS; HEAT/AIR CONDITIONER, SRS, & AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE & I BARELY HAVE MY CAR B/C THE SVC. CNTRS HAVE M
Mileage: 37,000
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE BECOMING WORSE B/C THE CAR FREEZES; THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONS & LOCKS UPON STARTING THE CAR & SOMETIMES, WHILE IN MOTION; IN ADDITION TO OTHER MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVING: SEAT BELT, SEAT HEAD REST, HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, REAR FOG LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS; HEAT/AIR CONDITIONER, SRS, & AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE & I BARELY HAVE MY CAR B/C THE SVC. CNTRS HAVE M
Mileage: 37,000
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE BECOMING WORSE B/C THE CAR FREEZES; THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONS & LOCKS UPON STARTING THE CAR & SOMETIMES, WHILE IN MOTION; IN ADDITION TO OTHER MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVING: SEAT BELT, SEAT HEAD REST, HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, REAR FOG LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS; HEAT/AIR CONDITIONER, SRS, & AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I'M PAYING A CAR NOTE & I BARELY HAVE MY CAR B/C THE SVC. CNTRS HAVE M
Mileage: 37,000
CAR WOULD NOT START AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR IN GEAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM. CURRENTLY THE CAR IS RUNNING. NEGOCIATING WITH MBZ TO BUY THE CAR BACK.
Mileage: 10,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.