MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 · model year

2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500

18 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002MERCEDES-BENZCL500 carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 4 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 2002 CL500 is electrical system with 5 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (3) and suspension (3). 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 2002 CL500. 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.

18
Complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

18 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL3
SUSPENSION3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ENGINE1
POWER TRAIN1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1

Recent Complaints

20220420ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Main Information center they notifies you of 99% of what is going on with the car stopped working completely. Can’t tell how Fast the car is moving or the RPM this also included the entire instrument cluster, In addition to that the battery and electric system just quits even Though the connections are tight. The battery Also drains quickly as A Result Even though the alternator works and the battery is new. I had the entire car shut off for no obvious cause. While I was driving. But because The entire dash is dead I can’t see if there is something else happening. Looked at fuses and they all ring Okay with a meter. I have read about recalls From mercedes for this seemingly exact cause for other year Mercedes but nothing about My car based off the VIN # and year specifically. Recently I Also had the Sun roof glass shatter from Heat. That now Needs to be replaced. Nothing touched the glass it Just popped one Day when it was hot In CA, don’t know of the

20220420LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

The Main Information center they notifies you of 99% of what is going on with the car stopped working completely. Can’t tell how Fast the car is moving or the RPM this also included the entire instrument cluster, In addition to that the battery and electric system just quits even Though the connections are tight. The battery Also drains quickly as A Result Even though the alternator works and the battery is new. I had the entire car shut off for no obvious cause. While I was driving. But because The entire dash is dead I can’t see if there is something else happening. Looked at fuses and they all ring Okay with a meter. I have read about recalls From mercedes for this seemingly exact cause for other year Mercedes but nothing about My car based off the VIN # and year specifically. Recently I Also had the Sun roof glass shatter from Heat. That now Needs to be replaced. Nothing touched the glass it Just popped one Day when it was hot In CA, don’t know of the

20220420FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The Main Information center they notifies you of 99% of what is going on with the car stopped working completely. Can’t tell how Fast the car is moving or the RPM this also included the entire instrument cluster, In addition to that the battery and electric system just quits even Though the connections are tight. The battery Also drains quickly as A Result Even though the alternator works and the battery is new. I had the entire car shut off for no obvious cause. While I was driving. But because The entire dash is dead I can’t see if there is something else happening. Looked at fuses and they all ring Okay with a meter. I have read about recalls From mercedes for this seemingly exact cause for other year Mercedes but nothing about My car based off the VIN # and year specifically. Recently I Also had the Sun roof glass shatter from Heat. That now Needs to be replaced. Nothing touched the glass it Just popped one Day when it was hot In CA, don’t know of the

20160527ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20160404ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A MERCEDES CL500 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE LIGHTS IN THE SPEEDOMETER EVERYTHING WENT OUT I HAD TO CHECK IT WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS ABLE TO GET SPEEDOMETER WORKING AGAIN GAS GAUGE BY REPLACING FUSE THE LIGHTS IN THE BACKGROUND ARE STILL NOT WORKING ALSO I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL I HAVE A LEAK SUSPENSION GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL TO GET THIS FIXED AND HOW I GO ABOUT THIS.

Mileage: 130

20160404SUSPENSION

I HAVE A MERCEDES CL500 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE LIGHTS IN THE SPEEDOMETER EVERYTHING WENT OUT I HAD TO CHECK IT WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS ABLE TO GET SPEEDOMETER WORKING AGAIN GAS GAUGE BY REPLACING FUSE THE LIGHTS IN THE BACKGROUND ARE STILL NOT WORKING ALSO I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL I HAVE A LEAK SUSPENSION GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL TO GET THIS FIXED AND HOW I GO ABOUT THIS.

Mileage: 130

20160310ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 122,000

20160114SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABNORMALLY LOWERING TO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

20150801ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT AND IT WAS RAINING HAD THE WIPERS AND THE HIGH BEAMS ON. THEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE HIGH BEANS WENT OUT AND THE DASH WENT BLACK BLACK CAUSING LIMITED VISIBILITY. THIS IS THE REASON I'M FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT WITH THE LIGHT DIMMING AND THE CLUSTER GOING BLANK.

Mileage: 119,981

20150801EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT AND IT WAS RAINING HAD THE WIPERS AND THE HIGH BEAMS ON. THEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE HIGH BEANS WENT OUT AND THE DASH WENT BLACK BLACK CAUSING LIMITED VISIBILITY. THIS IS THE REASON I'M FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT WITH THE LIGHT DIMMING AND THE CLUSTER GOING BLANK.

Mileage: 119,981

20150722ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED UNTIL THEY COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

Mileage: 137,000

20150602POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER NUMEROUS FAILED ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

Mileage: 77,000

20150205FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION). THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

20150108FireSUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO REPLACED AN O-RING. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVE CAREFUL WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20141009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 MERCEDES CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND THE GAUGES WERE UNABLE TO BE READ. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

20141009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 MERCEDES CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND THE GAUGES WERE UNABLE TO BE READ. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

20120828FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 MERCEDES CL500, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY AND THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION HOSE RUPTURED AND SPRAYED FLUID ONTO A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS RESULTED IN A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND SMALL FLAMES STARTING TO APPEAR RIGHT BEFORE THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BAY WAS HOSED DOWN WITH WATER. THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP ADVISED THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED/PERFORMED BACK IN 2005/2007. MERCEDES ADVISED ME NO FURTHER WORK WOULD BE DONE UNDER THE RECALL. I AM REPORTING THIS TO NHTSA AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY RELATED RECURRING DEFECT REPORTED ON MANY WEBSITES/FORUMS, YET MERCEDES REFUSES TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO PERMANENTLY RESOLVE IT. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

20120828FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 MERCEDES CL500, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY AND THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION HOSE RUPTURED AND SPRAYED FLUID ONTO A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS RESULTED IN A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND SMALL FLAMES STARTING TO APPEAR RIGHT BEFORE THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BAY WAS HOSED DOWN WITH WATER. THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP ADVISED THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED/PERFORMED BACK IN 2005/2007. MERCEDES ADVISED ME NO FURTHER WORK WOULD BE DONE UNDER THE RECALL. I AM REPORTING THIS TO NHTSA AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY RELATED RECURRING DEFECT REPORTED ON MANY WEBSITES/FORUMS, YET MERCEDES REFUSES TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO PERMANENTLY RESOLVE IT. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

Compare 2002MERCEDES-BENZCL500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 have?
The 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 has 18 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500?
The most-complained component for the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.