Total Complaints
7 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ CLK · model year
2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK
7 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2008MERCEDES-BENZCLK carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 2 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 2008 CLK is power train:automatic transmission with 1 filings, followed by unknown or other (1) and latches/locks/linkages (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 2008 CLK. 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.
7
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20140310SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRUNK SIMPLY FELL OFF. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE THAT SIMPLY JUST WENT AHEAD AND GOT IT FIXED WITHOUT POSTING IT. THIS IS A DEFECT WHERE THE RED LENS SEPARATES FROM THE LIGHT HOUSING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER SHOWS RED WHEN BRAKING. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTINUES TO RE-OCCUR EACH TIME IT IS REPLACED AT A COST OF $352.50 EACH TIME, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING YOU LOOSE YOUR BRAKE LIGHT. MERCEDES BENZ IS APPARENTLY STICKING THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND OVER THIS ONE. *TR
Mileage: 51,000
20140310ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRUNK SIMPLY FELL OFF. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE THAT SIMPLY JUST WENT AHEAD AND GOT IT FIXED WITHOUT POSTING IT. THIS IS A DEFECT WHERE THE RED LENS SEPARATES FROM THE LIGHT HOUSING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER SHOWS RED WHEN BRAKING. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTINUES TO RE-OCCUR EACH TIME IT IS REPLACED AT A COST OF $352.50 EACH TIME, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING YOU LOOSE YOUR BRAKE LIGHT. MERCEDES BENZ IS APPARENTLY STICKING THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND OVER THIS ONE. *TR
Mileage: 51,000
20140310EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRUNK SIMPLY FELL OFF. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE THAT SIMPLY JUST WENT AHEAD AND GOT IT FIXED WITHOUT POSTING IT. THIS IS A DEFECT WHERE THE RED LENS SEPARATES FROM THE LIGHT HOUSING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER SHOWS RED WHEN BRAKING. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTINUES TO RE-OCCUR EACH TIME IT IS REPLACED AT A COST OF $352.50 EACH TIME, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING YOU LOOSE YOUR BRAKE LIGHT. MERCEDES BENZ IS APPARENTLY STICKING THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND OVER THIS ONE. *TR
Mileage: 51,000
20100727LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I HAVE SENT A COMMUNICATION TO MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC ON 7/15/2010, NEXT DAY AFTER MY INJURY FROM ONE OF THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC FEATURE (HEAD REST AUTOMATICALLY THRUSTS DOWN WHEN THE LEVER IS LIFTED AND SEAT MOVES FORWARD). IT'S A 2 DOOR SPORTS VEHICLE, SO IT WILL BE ALWAYS THE ACTION OF THE CONSUMER/VEHICLE OWNER TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE BACK SEATS. ON 7/14/2010 @ AROUND 1900: MY RIGHT ARM FLESH/SKIN GOT WEDGED/MANGLED INTO THE HEAD REST 'STEEL' OF THE CAR PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE HEAD- REST-STEEL AUTOMATICALLY RAMMED/THRUST/PUSH LOWER CONTINUOUSLY DOWNWARDS; WHILE I WAS GETTING THINGS FROM THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR-MB (MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 350, YEAR 2008 MODEL) CAR. MY OUTER RIGHT ARM AREA (ABOUT AN INCH PROXIMAL TO MY WRIST) WAS RESTING ON THAT PART OF THE SEAT WHEREIN I NEEDED TO LIFT THE LEVER/MECHANISM TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD WHEN THE STEEL CAUGHT MY SKIN/FLESH AND PRESSED IT INSIDE THE INSERTION CONTINUOUSLY. MY HUSBAND TOOK PHOTOS OF MY INJURY AND BROUGHT ME TO THE ER AFTERWARDS - DUE
Mileage: 25,257
20100727SEATS
I HAVE SENT A COMMUNICATION TO MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC ON 7/15/2010, NEXT DAY AFTER MY INJURY FROM ONE OF THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC FEATURE (HEAD REST AUTOMATICALLY THRUSTS DOWN WHEN THE LEVER IS LIFTED AND SEAT MOVES FORWARD). IT'S A 2 DOOR SPORTS VEHICLE, SO IT WILL BE ALWAYS THE ACTION OF THE CONSUMER/VEHICLE OWNER TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE BACK SEATS. ON 7/14/2010 @ AROUND 1900: MY RIGHT ARM FLESH/SKIN GOT WEDGED/MANGLED INTO THE HEAD REST 'STEEL' OF THE CAR PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE HEAD- REST-STEEL AUTOMATICALLY RAMMED/THRUST/PUSH LOWER CONTINUOUSLY DOWNWARDS; WHILE I WAS GETTING THINGS FROM THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR-MB (MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 350, YEAR 2008 MODEL) CAR. MY OUTER RIGHT ARM AREA (ABOUT AN INCH PROXIMAL TO MY WRIST) WAS RESTING ON THAT PART OF THE SEAT WHEREIN I NEEDED TO LIFT THE LEVER/MECHANISM TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD WHEN THE STEEL CAUGHT MY SKIN/FLESH AND PRESSED IT INSIDE THE INSERTION CONTINUOUSLY. MY HUSBAND TOOK PHOTOS OF MY INJURY AND BROUGHT ME TO THE ER AFTERWARDS - DUE
Mileage: 25,257
20100323UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT PULLED AWAY FROM THE ANCHOR PLUG AND KEEPS MOVING TOWARD THE GAS AND BREAK PEDDLES. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES BUT BECAUSE OF TALK OF SUCH A CONDITION CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH A GAS OR BREAK PEDDLE I HAD TO PURCHASE AN ENTIRE SET OF NEW MATS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD MAT.
Mileage: 11,000
20090903CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2008 CLK 550 - TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN DRIVE, WHEN SHIFTER INDICATED THAT CAR WAS IN PARK. WE WERE ADVISED THAT A SHIFT LINKAGE CLIP BROKE. THE CAR DROVE UNCONTROLLED INTO A LOW WALL DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED 5 MINUTES BEFORE IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. *TR
Mileage: 17,600
Compare 2008MERCEDES-BENZCLK to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK have?▼
The 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK has 7 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK?▼
The most-complained component for the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.
Is the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.