MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 · model year

2000 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430

23 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000MERCEDES-BENZCLK430 carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 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 2000 CLK430 is electrical system with 5 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (4) and power train (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 2000 CLK430. 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
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

23 filings

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

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL4
POWER TRAIN2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY1
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STRUCTURE1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
SERVICE BRAKES1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1

Recent Complaints

20150423FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE INTERIOR OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED AND BURNT. UPON CLOSE EXAMINATION ALL OF THE WIRING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE HEADLAMP ENCLOSURE WAS DETERIORATED. THE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE WIRES WERE CRUMBLING AND HAD FALLEN APART, BARE WIRES HAD BEEN TOUCHING INSIDE OF THE HOUSING. THE WIRING ON THE INTERIOR OF THE HOUSING IS NOT EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. THE WIRING ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSING EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS EXHIBITS THE SAME FAILURE, IN THAT THE PROTECTIVE INSULATING PLASTIC COATING IS DETERIORATED AND EXPOSED COPPER WIRES ARE TOUCHING EACH OTHER. *TR

Mileage: 156,000

20140320ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WE JUST PURCHASED A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 430. FOR BARELY TWO WEEKS AND CAN'T DRIVE IT. WE ARE HAVING MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE TRUNK TO OPEN BECAUSE OUR BATTERY IS TOTALLY DEAD. WE CANNOT JUMP CABLE THE CAR BECAUSE THE BATERY IS IN THE TRUNK AND THE TRUNK WILL NOT EVEN OPEN WITH THE MANUAL KEY THAT IT COMES WITH. I HAVE CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AND DO EXACTLY WHAT I WAS ASK TO DO BUT STILL DIDNT WORK. I WENT ON YOU TUBE, GOOGLE, AND SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR ANSWERS BUT NOTHING. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR CLK'S CONVERTIBLE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER AND A DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE. THIS IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT FROM THE MAKER AND THAT WAS UNEXPECTED. *TR

20140320POWER TRAIN

WE JUST PURCHASED A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 430. FOR BARELY TWO WEEKS AND CAN'T DRIVE IT. WE ARE HAVING MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE TRUNK TO OPEN BECAUSE OUR BATTERY IS TOTALLY DEAD. WE CANNOT JUMP CABLE THE CAR BECAUSE THE BATERY IS IN THE TRUNK AND THE TRUNK WILL NOT EVEN OPEN WITH THE MANUAL KEY THAT IT COMES WITH. I HAVE CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AND DO EXACTLY WHAT I WAS ASK TO DO BUT STILL DIDNT WORK. I WENT ON YOU TUBE, GOOGLE, AND SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR ANSWERS BUT NOTHING. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR CLK'S CONVERTIBLE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER AND A DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE. THIS IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT FROM THE MAKER AND THAT WAS UNEXPECTED. *TR

20130810SERVICE BRAKES

I OWN A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT SPORADIC FAILURE OF THE ABS, BAS, ESP SYSTEMS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE. ON OCCASIONS THE GAS PEDAL STICKS AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP TO DANGEROUS SPEED. THE CAR HAS TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND ONCE STOP AND RESTART, IT WOULD RUN NORMAL AGAIN, AND THE CAR SHOWS "NO MALFUNCTION". RECENTLY ON JULY OF 2013, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SPED UP ON IT OWN AND ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE ABS/BAS/ESP REPORTED AS FAILED, BUT THE CAR DID STOP WHEN I PUT IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY THE BRAKE. I TOOK TO MERCEDES-BENZ AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM I WANT THEM TO RUN THE "COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS" AND I WANT THEM TO GIVE ME THE REPORT. BELOW ARE A FEW OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURES THAT ARE ON THE REPORT: ETC - ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CODE 120 THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SPEED OF THE TRACTION SYSTEM IS SPORADICALLY IMPLAUSIBLE CODE 121 THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SPEED OF THE TRAC

Mileage: 12,500

20130810VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I OWN A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT SPORADIC FAILURE OF THE ABS, BAS, ESP SYSTEMS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE. ON OCCASIONS THE GAS PEDAL STICKS AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP TO DANGEROUS SPEED. THE CAR HAS TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND ONCE STOP AND RESTART, IT WOULD RUN NORMAL AGAIN, AND THE CAR SHOWS "NO MALFUNCTION". RECENTLY ON JULY OF 2013, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SPED UP ON IT OWN AND ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE ABS/BAS/ESP REPORTED AS FAILED, BUT THE CAR DID STOP WHEN I PUT IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY THE BRAKE. I TOOK TO MERCEDES-BENZ AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM I WANT THEM TO RUN THE "COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS" AND I WANT THEM TO GIVE ME THE REPORT. BELOW ARE A FEW OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURES THAT ARE ON THE REPORT: ETC - ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CODE 120 THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SPEED OF THE TRACTION SYSTEM IS SPORADICALLY IMPLAUSIBLE CODE 121 THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SPEED OF THE TRAC

Mileage: 12,500

20130810ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I OWN A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT SPORADIC FAILURE OF THE ABS, BAS, ESP SYSTEMS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE. ON OCCASIONS THE GAS PEDAL STICKS AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP TO DANGEROUS SPEED. THE CAR HAS TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND ONCE STOP AND RESTART, IT WOULD RUN NORMAL AGAIN, AND THE CAR SHOWS "NO MALFUNCTION". RECENTLY ON JULY OF 2013, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR SPED UP ON IT OWN AND ALMOST WENT OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE ABS/BAS/ESP REPORTED AS FAILED, BUT THE CAR DID STOP WHEN I PUT IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY THE BRAKE. I TOOK TO MERCEDES-BENZ AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM I WANT THEM TO RUN THE "COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS" AND I WANT THEM TO GIVE ME THE REPORT. BELOW ARE A FEW OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURES THAT ARE ON THE REPORT: ETC - ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CODE 120 THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SPEED OF THE TRACTION SYSTEM IS SPORADICALLY IMPLAUSIBLE CODE 121 THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SPEED OF THE TRAC

Mileage: 12,500

20110714CrashPOWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN A CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL OR REVERSE, WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL AS A RESULT. THE CHILD THEN TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT IT WAS REPAIRED FOR BODY DAMAGES. A COMPLAINT WAS ALSO FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REKEYED, WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20110516ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LED PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 MERCEDES CLK 430 HAS BECOME MORE OF A PROBLEM WITHIN THE PAST MONTH. IT HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY NOW. WHENEVER I START THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR INDICATOR DOES NOT INDICATE WHICH GEAR I'M IN AND THE CAR PROCEEDS IN LOW MODE UNTIL I PULL OVER AND RESTART IT. THE SAFETY HAZARD LIES IN THE FACT THAT I DON'T CHECK MY GEAR INDICATOR CONSTANTLY, SO IF IT FAILS AND I DON'T NOTICE, THE LOW/SLOW MODE THAT THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO COULD GET ME KILLED ON ANY STREET WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS AT LEAST 35. THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THE PAST YEAR AND MY SAFETY SEEMS TO BE IN JEOPARDY MORE AND MORE AS THE THESE ISSUES INCREASE IN SEVERITY. I MADE THE FINANCIAL SACRIFICE FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE MERCEDES ARE SUPPOSE TO BE SOME OF THE SAFEST VEHICLES ON THE ROAD......IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT CONSUMERS IN MY SITUATION DON'T HAVE A VOICE WHEN WE'RE SIMPLY INNOCENT VICTIMS IN THE MAKING. *TR

Mileage: 165,456

20101129POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SHIFT LEVER INOPERATIVE/ ERRATIC: 2000 CLK430 BEING DRIVEN WHEN TRANSMISSION REFUSED TO SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR, THEN SECOND GEAR, AND FINALLY NOT AT ALL! HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP, SHOP FOUND SHIFTER HAD GONE BAD. I DIDN'T KNOW THE TRANSMISSION WAS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. $1500 LATER IT NOW RUNS OUT FINE. MILEAGE WAS 77K. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

20100601ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THE PIXELS IN THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD WERE SCRAMBLED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN TO BE EXAMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,099.

20090508ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR DISPLAY LIGHTS NO LONGER ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AS A RESULT, HE HAS DIFFICULTY SEEING WHAT GEAR IS BEING USED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

Mileage: 25,000

20081103STRUCTURE

FRONT BUMPER COVER / AIR DAM BROKE ON ORDINARY WHEEL STOP IN PUBLIC PARKING LOT. CAR HAS INADEQUATE CLEARANCE AND FRONT BUMPER COVER / AIR DAM IS CONSTRUCTED SO THAT IT HOOKS ON WHEEL STOPS AND BREAKS. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU PARK IF YOU BRING THE FRONT TIRES TO WITHIN A FOOT OF THE WHEEL STOPS. ACCORDING TO MBUSA, THE FRONT BUMPER COVER IS AN AIR FOIL / SAFETY DEVICE PROVIDING STABILITY TO THE CAR. ONCE IT IS BROKEN, THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER COVER HAS TO BE REPLACED, BUT OF COURSE IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 3,000

20080206ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF AT TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH TRAFFIC BUILD UP BEHIND ME. AFTER AN HOUR OF WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK, IT SUDDENLY STARTED AGAIN. TOOK IT TO GARAGE WHICH CHANGED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FOR $308.55. APPARENTLY, FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES CLK CARS!! *TR

Mileage: 76,000

20080114STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

THE FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO BE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND AND PARKING LOT WHEEL BUMPERS ARE HIGHER. WHEN PARKING THE 2000 CLK MODEL 430, THIS MISMATCH CAUSES THE PLASTIC BUMPER TO DRAG ALONG THE CONCRETE BUMPER STOP, AND BECAUSE OF VERY WEAK DESIGN OF THE BUMPER, IT WILL CRACK THE BUMPER AT ITS WEAKEST POINTS, CAUSING THE BUMPER TO HANG LOOSE AND BECOME A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE BUMPER SHOULD BE RECALLED TO BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT IS HIGHER FROM THE GROUND. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

20071015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LED CLUSTER DISPLAY LIGHTS ARE NOT VISIBLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $1200.00. SHE STATED TEN TO FIFTEEN PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20070913ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

LED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT FUNCTION. CANNOT SEE GEAR I AM IN OR TIME, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ETC.

Mileage: 60,000

20070626ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIXELS ON THE CLUSTER ARE DEFECTIVE. HE STATED THAT HE CAN ONLY SEE HALF OF THE PIXELS ON THE SCREEN. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20061204ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CLUSTER DEFECT. SCREEN IS SCRAMBLED. *JB

20060707ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CPS) FAILED ON MY 2000 CLK 430. WAS REPLACED BY DEALER FOR $296. FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES, INCLUDING ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ENGINE SHUTS OFF OR REFUSES TO TURN OVER WHEN HOT (ALTHOUGH BATTERY KEEPS CRANKING), THEN AFTER 20-30 MINUTES IT TURNS ON FINE WHEN COOLED DOWN. *NM

Mileage: 59,000

20060629TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

I HAD A MICHELIN LOW PROFILE TIRE LOSE PRESSURE AND IT FAILED AT 30 MPH. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED IN ONE PIECE FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. I HAD JUST EXITED I-10 AND IF THE TIRE HAD FAILED AT 60 MPH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING. I HAVE THE TIRE (7600 MILES) AND PICTURES. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOOK AT ONE AND DETECT A LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL FROM THE CARS INSTRUMENTATION IF A TIRE IS LOSING PRESSURE UNTIL IT FAILS AND COMES APART. *NM

Mileage: 7,678

Compare 2000MERCEDES-BENZCLK430 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 have?
The 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 has 23 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430?
The most-complained component for the 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 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.