Total Complaints
16 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ CL500 · model year
16 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004MERCEDES-BENZCL500 carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 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 CL500 is electrical system with 6 filings, followed by suspension (4) and exterior lighting (2). 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 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.
Total Complaints
16 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| SUSPENSION | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED MOMENTARILY TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MOST EVIDENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SEVERAL GAUGES FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION OR READINGS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT TRUNK FAILED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT WHEN OPENED; THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WORKSHOP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN GREEN FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE; AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE LEAK OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) AND POWER STEERING FLUID. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PRESSURE BUILT UP IN THE VALVE BODY WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTAC
Mileage: 127,600
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED MOMENTARILY TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MOST EVIDENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SEVERAL GAUGES FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION OR READINGS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT TRUNK FAILED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT WHEN OPENED; THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WORKSHOP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN GREEN FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE; AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE LEAK OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) AND POWER STEERING FLUID. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PRESSURE BUILT UP IN THE VALVE BODY WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTAC
Mileage: 127,600
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED MOMENTARILY TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MOST EVIDENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SEVERAL GAUGES FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION OR READINGS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT TRUNK FAILED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT WHEN OPENED; THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WORKSHOP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN GREEN FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE; AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE LEAK OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) AND POWER STEERING FLUID. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PRESSURE BUILT UP IN THE VALVE BODY WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTAC
Mileage: 127,600
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CL500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SRS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS TILTED AND LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS FAULTY. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT LINE PUMP AND STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PUMP AND THE STRUT WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *AS *TR
I PURCHASED THIS CAR JUNE 2016. ENROUTE TO VACATION, IN EARLY AUGUST, THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL PANEL STOPPED OPERATING. MID-WAY TO VACATION, WHILE STOPPING FOR GAS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN COMPLETELY DARK. I WAS UNABLE TO GAUGE HOW MUCH GAS, SPEED, ETC., ALSO AT THAT TIME WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR, THE JUMPED AS IF SOMEONE HIT THE CAR. LATER I LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE SUSPENSION. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE VACATION. UPON REACHING MY VACATION DESTINATION, THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO CALL TO GET MY BATTERY JUMPED. TWO DAYS LATER THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP. AFTER RETURNING FROM VACATION, A WEEK LATER, THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP AGAIN. IN MY OPINION THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I REACHED OUT TO THE RECALL REPRESENTATIVES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT UNDER RECALL.
Mileage: 93,000
I PURCHASED THIS CAR JUNE 2016. ENROUTE TO VACATION, IN EARLY AUGUST, THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL PANEL STOPPED OPERATING. MID-WAY TO VACATION, WHILE STOPPING FOR GAS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN COMPLETELY DARK. I WAS UNABLE TO GAUGE HOW MUCH GAS, SPEED, ETC., ALSO AT THAT TIME WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR, THE JUMPED AS IF SOMEONE HIT THE CAR. LATER I LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE SUSPENSION. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE VACATION. UPON REACHING MY VACATION DESTINATION, THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO CALL TO GET MY BATTERY JUMPED. TWO DAYS LATER THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP. AFTER RETURNING FROM VACATION, A WEEK LATER, THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP AGAIN. IN MY OPINION THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I REACHED OUT TO THE RECALL REPRESENTATIVES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT UNDER RECALL.
Mileage: 93,000
I PURCHASED THIS CAR JUNE 2016. ENROUTE TO VACATION, IN EARLY AUGUST, THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL PANEL STOPPED OPERATING. MID-WAY TO VACATION, WHILE STOPPING FOR GAS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN COMPLETELY DARK. I WAS UNABLE TO GAUGE HOW MUCH GAS, SPEED, ETC., ALSO AT THAT TIME WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR, THE JUMPED AS IF SOMEONE HIT THE CAR. LATER I LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE SUSPENSION. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE VACATION. UPON REACHING MY VACATION DESTINATION, THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO CALL TO GET MY BATTERY JUMPED. TWO DAYS LATER THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP. AFTER RETURNING FROM VACATION, A WEEK LATER, THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP AGAIN. IN MY OPINION THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I REACHED OUT TO THE RECALL REPRESENTATIVES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT UNDER RECALL.
Mileage: 93,000
TAKATA RECALL I BOUGHT MY 04 CL500 BENZ IN APRIL OF 2015, AFTER A FEW MONTH I NOTICED THE CLUSTER FLICKERING THEN SOON AFTER THE BACK LIGHT WENT OUT BUT GAGES STILL WORKING THEN TODAY WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY A POOF OF SMOKE HIT ME IN THE FACE I FIGURED SOMETHING WAS ON FIRE SO I PULLED OVER OPENED ALL MY DOORS AND HOOD BUT NO FLAMES JUST SMOKE WHEN SMOKE STOPPED I LOOKED TOWARD WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM WITCH WAS THE CLUSTER NOW IM STUCK WITH A HORRBLE SMELL AND NO GAGES
Mileage: 128,762
RECALL #1-ABC PUMP LEAK. AT 67,000 MILES IN MARCH 2013, THE ABC PUMP BROKE AND LEAKED FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. HAD THE NECESSARY REPAIRS MADE AT THE COST OF $3500 WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. RECALL #2-INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE-AT 87,000 MILES IN MARCH 2016, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON I-10. DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO A SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 OF THE 4 SAFETY RECALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. VEHICLES EXPERIENCING 1 OF THE 4 ISSUES HAVE BEEN COVERED BY RECALLS, BUT A VEHICLE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED 2 OF 4 ISSUES SO FAR IS NOT COVERED. WHERE IS THE COMMON SENSE IN THIS? ON AVERAGE, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY 7500 MILES PER YEAR.
Mileage: 67,000
RECALL #1-ABC PUMP LEAK. AT 67,000 MILES IN MARCH 2013, THE ABC PUMP BROKE AND LEAKED FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. HAD THE NECESSARY REPAIRS MADE AT THE COST OF $3500 WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. RECALL #2-INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE-AT 87,000 MILES IN MARCH 2016, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON I-10. DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO A SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 OF THE 4 SAFETY RECALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. VEHICLES EXPERIENCING 1 OF THE 4 ISSUES HAVE BEEN COVERED BY RECALLS, BUT A VEHICLE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED 2 OF 4 ISSUES SO FAR IS NOT COVERED. WHERE IS THE COMMON SENSE IN THIS? ON AVERAGE, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY 7500 MILES PER YEAR.
Mileage: 67,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , SUSPENSION) AND 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Mileage: 65,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , SUSPENSION) AND 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Mileage: 65,000
I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE GOING ABOUT 45MPH AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER SO NOW IM DRIVING WITH NO FUEL LEVEL SPEED OR HOW HOT MY ENGINE IS GETTING I CALLED MERCEDES AND THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT IT SHOULD NOT MATTER!! IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER ONES. BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX A SAFE MAULFUNCTION
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT END CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WAS A FIRE REPORT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 01/06/16*LJ *CN
Mileage: 124,000
WHILE I WAS DRIVING HWY 1 TO MONTEREY CA. CLUSTER DASH LIGHTS BLACKED OUT. NOW DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND CAN SEE INFORMATION FROM IT. *TR
Mileage: 154,930
WHILE I WAS DRIVING HWY 1 TO MONTEREY CA. CLUSTER DASH LIGHTS BLACKED OUT. NOW DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND CAN SEE INFORMATION FROM IT. *TR
Mileage: 154,930
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.