MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 · model year

2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350

23 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008MERCEDES-BENZCLK350 carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 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 2008 CLK350 is fuel/propulsion system with 6 filings, followed by air bags (3) and electrical system (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 2008 CLK350. 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.

23
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

23 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
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
AIR BAGS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
STRUCTURE:BODY1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SEATS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
ENGINE1
POWER TRAIN1
VISIBILITY1

Recent Complaints

20200930VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE (650 SUNRISE HWY, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200925ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MANY OWNERS OF LATE-MODEL MERCEDES-BENZ CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.5L V6 ENGINES (M272 OR M273) HAVE EXPERIENCED PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE POOR IDLE, LOSS OF POWER AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A P2006 CODE (OR SOMETIMES OTHER CODES). THE SHAFTS WILL FAIL INSIDE THE MANIFOLD AND BIND, CAUSING THE LEVER TO BREAK AND THE CAPS SHOWN TO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE POPPING OFF THE MANIFOLD.

Mileage: 130,000

20200925ENGINE

MANY OWNERS OF LATE-MODEL MERCEDES-BENZ CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.5L V6 ENGINES (M272 OR M273) HAVE EXPERIENCED PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE POOR IDLE, LOSS OF POWER AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A P2006 CODE (OR SOMETIMES OTHER CODES). THE SHAFTS WILL FAIL INSIDE THE MANIFOLD AND BIND, CAUSING THE LEVER TO BREAK AND THE CAPS SHOWN TO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE POPPING OFF THE MANIFOLD.

Mileage: 130,000

20200925POWER TRAIN

MANY OWNERS OF LATE-MODEL MERCEDES-BENZ CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.5L V6 ENGINES (M272 OR M273) HAVE EXPERIENCED PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE POOR IDLE, LOSS OF POWER AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A P2006 CODE (OR SOMETIMES OTHER CODES). THE SHAFTS WILL FAIL INSIDE THE MANIFOLD AND BIND, CAUSING THE LEVER TO BREAK AND THE CAPS SHOWN TO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE POPPING OFF THE MANIFOLD.

Mileage: 130,000

20200521VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE SUNROOF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE 650 SUNRISE HWY, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570 WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NO LONGER BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 40,000

20190130FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL WITH MILEAGE 43,000. FILLED UP THE GAS TANK ON TWO OCCASIONS. AFTER EACH OCCASION, PLACED CAR IN GARAGE AFTERWARD AND CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. THE SMELL OF RAW GAS WAS OVERWHELMING AS SOON AS GARAGE DOOR WAS SHUT. DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING SMELL AND SAFETY CONCERN, CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. NO LEAKS ON GARAGE FLOOR WERE FOUND. CAR PARKED IN GARAGE THE NEXT DAY WITHOUT THE SMELL OF RAW GAS.

Mileage: 43,000

20181201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY PARTNER TOLD ME THAT HIS PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED OUT AND THAT HE WAS TOLD IT WAS GOING TO BE OVER $800 TO REPLACE. I DECIDED TO TRY TO REPLACE THE BULB MYSELF, BUT I FOUND THAT THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS LEADING THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE WIRES ARE BARE, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, LEADING TO POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH MAY CAUSE SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS. I HAVE FOUND AT LEAST ONE OTHER COMPLAINT OF THIS NATURE, REPORTED ON NOVEMBER 13 2017, FOR A 2008 CLK350 VEHICLE WITH THE SAME LEADING VIN NUMBER OF WDBTK56F.... THAT COMPLAINT INDICATES THAT "MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT SUPPLYING A FIX AS REPORTED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS. ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURERS ARE DENYING COVERAGE DUE TO THE WIDE SPREAD DEFECT ACROSS THE MERCEDES BENZ MODELS." I CANNOT FIND ANY MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE, MUCH LESS ONE THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD.

20181201EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY PARTNER TOLD ME THAT HIS PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED OUT AND THAT HE WAS TOLD IT WAS GOING TO BE OVER $800 TO REPLACE. I DECIDED TO TRY TO REPLACE THE BULB MYSELF, BUT I FOUND THAT THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS LEADING THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE WIRES ARE BARE, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, LEADING TO POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH MAY CAUSE SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS. I HAVE FOUND AT LEAST ONE OTHER COMPLAINT OF THIS NATURE, REPORTED ON NOVEMBER 13 2017, FOR A 2008 CLK350 VEHICLE WITH THE SAME LEADING VIN NUMBER OF WDBTK56F.... THAT COMPLAINT INDICATES THAT "MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT SUPPLYING A FIX AS REPORTED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS. ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURERS ARE DENYING COVERAGE DUE TO THE WIDE SPREAD DEFECT ACROSS THE MERCEDES BENZ MODELS." I CANNOT FIND ANY MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE, MUCH LESS ONE THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD.

20180905AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND "CHECK SRS AIR BAG" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WIRING FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20180905SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND "CHECK SRS AIR BAG" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WIRING FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20180905ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND "CHECK SRS AIR BAG" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WIRING FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20180215FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IDENTIFIED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK'S "FUEL SENDER". SMALL CRACK IN PLASTIC FUEL SENDER AT POINT WHERE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO SENDER ALLOWED GASOLINE TO ACCUMULATE OVER TIME IN AREA SURROUNDING SENDER AND THEN TRAVEL TO UNDERSIDE OF CAR IN AN AREA IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO EXHAUST SYSTEM. AT TIME LEAK WAS DISCOVERED APPROX 1/4 CUP OF FUEL HAD ACCUMULATED. HAD PROBLEM NOT BEEN DISCOVERED A CAR FIRE WAS INEVITABLE

Mileage: 45,000

20180207FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

ON 12/31/2017 MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVE WAY OF 800 VILLA FLORENCE DR. NAPLES FLORIDA AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGN OF TROUBLE CAR CUT IN FIRE FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING IN TRUNK OF THIS CAR EXCEPT TO LIGHT WEIGHT BEACH CHAIRS.

Mileage: 50,000

20180207FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 12/31/2017 MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVE WAY OF 800 VILLA FLORENCE DR. NAPLES FLORIDA AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGN OF TROUBLE CAR CUT IN FIRE FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING IN TRUNK OF THIS CAR EXCEPT TO LIGHT WEIGHT BEACH CHAIRS.

Mileage: 50,000

20180207FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

ON 12/31/2017 MY CAR WAS PARKED ON DRIVE WAY OF 800 VILLA FLORENCE DR. NAPLES FLORIDA AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SIGN OF TROUBLE CAR CUT IN FIRE FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRUNK. THERE WAS NOTHING IN TRUNK OF THIS CAR EXCEPT TO LIGHT WEIGHT BEACH CHAIRS.

Mileage: 50,000

20171113ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY WIFE TOLD ME HER HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN I REPLACED THE BULB, I FOUND THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND HEADLIGHTS IS DETERIORATING LEAVING EXPOSED BARE WIRES CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, EQUIPMENT FAILURES, ELECTRICAL FIRES, LEADING TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS. MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT SUPPLYING A FIX AS REPORTED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS. ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURERS ARE DENYING COVERAGE DUE TO THE WIDE SPREAD DEFECT ACROSS THE MERCEDES BENZ MODELS.

Mileage: 74,000

20171113EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY WIFE TOLD ME HER HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED OUT. WHEN I REPLACED THE BULB, I FOUND THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND HEADLIGHTS IS DETERIORATING LEAVING EXPOSED BARE WIRES CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTING, EQUIPMENT FAILURES, ELECTRICAL FIRES, LEADING TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENTS. MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT SUPPLYING A FIX AS REPORTED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS. ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURERS ARE DENYING COVERAGE DUE TO THE WIDE SPREAD DEFECT ACROSS THE MERCEDES BENZ MODELS.

Mileage: 74,000

20171105AIR BAGS

AIR BAG NOT REPLACED

Mileage: 50,663

20170102AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. SRS LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. ADVISED THAT AIRBAG IN PASSENGER SEAT HAD HIGH RESISTANCE.THE SEAT BACK WAS REMOVED AND AIRBAG REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER AND $981.00 MY CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME.

Mileage: 99,392

20161004FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL - THE CAR IS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE AND IS EMITTNG A STRONG ORDER OF GAS FUMES AND I AM AFRAID THESE GAS FUMES COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE

Mileage: 63,102

Compare 2008MERCEDES-BENZCLK350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 have?
The 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 has 23 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350?
The most-complained component for the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 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.