MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 · model year

2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500

21 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005MERCEDES-BENZCLK500 carries 21 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 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 2005 CLK500 is tires with 3 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (3) and air bags (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 2005 CLK500. 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.

21
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

21 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
TIRES3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
AIR BAGS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
STEERING:RACK AND PINION1
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK1
SEATS1
POWER TRAIN1
STEERING1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
SEAT BELTS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER1

Recent Complaints

20250911ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK500. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 147,000.

Mileage: 147,000

20240128SEAT BELTS

The driver side seat belt. The seat belt won't retract. Yes, the seat belt is available for inspection upon request. The driver side seat belt is useless, because there is no tension in restrain your body from moving. No, the dealer will not fix the issue. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership. No warning lamps, messages, etc... prior to the driver side seat belt failed.

20230929TIRES

Tire size: 245/40/17 Had a blowout without any warning, causing me to hit the center console and mirror receiving cuts and bruises. Immediately was pulled to the side of the road. When I got out to see what had happened, the rubber separated from the tire, which knocked off the back end of my car, scraped the entire passenger side of the car, knocking off the door handle and unclear as to what it damaged underneath my car. I have filed a complaint with the company, dealt with a Jesse Han and contacted the CEO Darren Thomas in regards to repairing the damage done. This has gone on since June and they keep giving me the run around. There are multiple problems with Sumitomo tires and the company owes for damages

20230703TIRES

While driving at 60mph on the a highway, without warning the passenger rear tire had a blowout. I immediately pulled off the road and when looking to see what happened, clearly seen was the rubber from the tire completely separated from the tire, causing major damage to my car. The rubber that came unattached ripped the passenger door handle off, scratched up the entire passenger side of my car, ripped off the passenger rear bumper and underneath damage as well. When taking the tire to try and get replaced, the manager of Walmart told me this was definitely a tire manufacturer defect and I should seek for the manufacturer to cover all damage due to this defect. I have filed a complaint with Sumitomo and I have gotten no response or help with this matter. In the meantime my car is not drivable due to this damage. Because they have taken no responsibility, I am filing a complaint with The Dept. Of Transportation in order to get something done.

20201005EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LOW BEAM IS OUT, DISCOVERED THAT ON BOTH SIDES ALL THE HEADLIGHT WIRES HAVE LOST ALL THE INSULATION. PICTURES CAN BE TEXTED.

Mileage: 123,000

20181003FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS TANK LEAKS, CAR IN MOTON IN THE STREET

20180613FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL ALL AROUND THE AUTOMOBILE. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THE CEL WILL COME ON WITH CODE P0456. A SMOKE TEST OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK SHOWED THERE WAS A LEAK. PART NO: W0133-2075480. THIS PART IS THE SAME DESIGN AS WHAT IS ON THE CLS. THIS SAME FUEL SMELL ISSUE IS ON THE E CLASS AND CLS CLASS AND A WARRANTY EXTENSION HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 15 YEARS BUT NOTHING FOR THE CLK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH HEAT AND FUEL AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MERCEDES NA . AFTER DISCUSSING WITH MERCEDES THEIR STANCE IS THIS IS A NORMAL WARE ITEM. I DO NOT BUY IT.

Mileage: 95,000

20170209FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I'VE STARTED NOTICING A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AFTER FILLING UP THE CAR. THE GAS FILL DOOR IS ON PASSENGER SIDE. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB, IT'S COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS FILED FOR THE S CLASS AND E CLASS MODELS OF MERCEDES THAT WERE HAVING THIS SAME GAS FUMES ISSUE AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. MERCEDES OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF UP TO 15 ADDITIONAL YEARS FOR THE AFFECTED CARS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS A CRACK IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, OR IN SOME CASES A SEAL ON A VENT HOSE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I'VE LEARNED THAT MY MODEL OF MERCEDES SHARES THE SAME FUEL TANK AS THE OTHER CARS MENTIONED ABOVE. I REACHED OUT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID I SHOULD CALL THE HELP CENTER OF MERCEDES BENZ AND SEE IF THEY'D REPAIR MY ISSUE TOO. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY MAKE AND MODEL YEAR WAS NOT COVERED. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN A

Mileage: 134,000

20150529AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, A MESSAGE READING "THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SRS, SEE A MECHANIC SOON" ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

Mileage: 46,000

20150103FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY ONE EVENING AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. USING A FLASHLIGHT, FOUND A DRIP COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE CAR. THE NEXT MORNING A LARGE GAS STAIN WAS APPARENT UNDER THE CAR, BUT THE DRIP HAD STOPPED. STARTED THE CAR AND THE GAS LEAK BEGAN AGAIN. DROPPED THE PANELS UNDER THE CAR AND THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE TANK. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT A DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THE TANK IS CRACKED. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

20120919POWER TRAIN

DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER, CAR EVENTUALLY GAINED POWER AND ACCELERATION, ONCE DRIVING SLOWER THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF AFTER ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD CAME ON. SELLING DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS A SENSOR BUT THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING ALWAYS FLICKER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

20120919STEERING

DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER, CAR EVENTUALLY GAINED POWER AND ACCELERATION, ONCE DRIVING SLOWER THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF AFTER ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD CAME ON. SELLING DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS A SENSOR BUT THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING ALWAYS FLICKER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

20120919EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND LOSE POWER, CAR EVENTUALLY GAINED POWER AND ACCELERATION, ONCE DRIVING SLOWER THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN AND CUT COMPLETELY OFF AFTER ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD CAME ON. SELLING DEALER STATED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS A SENSOR BUT THE CAR IS NOW LOSING POWER AGAIN ONE MONTH LATER. THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING ALWAYS FLICKER UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

20110411ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN EMPTY READING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,760.

Mileage: 113,760

20110216ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE ON A SURFACE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. ENGINE SWITCHED OFF ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL. CAR DID RESTART AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART AFTER THAT FAILED. THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH (EZS OR EIS CONTROL MODULE). THE EXPLANATION I RECEIVED WAS THAT IT HAS CERTAIN COMPUTER CIRCUITS THAT AFFECT NOT ONLY STARTING BUT OTHER CAR SYSTEMS. IN FACT, INCORRECT PROGRAMMING OF THE REPLACEMENT MODULE CAUSED ME TO BE UNABLE TO LOWER THE SOFT-TOP AS IF ONE WASN'T INSTALLED. REPROGRAMMING THE UNIT TO "TELL" THE NEW MODULE THAT THIS VEHICLE ISA CONVERTIBLE SOLVED THAT PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 34,000

20110118AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE AIR BAGS. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS IN BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

Mileage: 27,000

20100504SEATS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE DRIVER SEAT WAS FOLDED FORWARD AND BACKWARD, IT WOULD LOCK ELECTRONICALLY AND CAUSED ALL OTHER ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS FOR THAT SEAT TO FAIL; THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WOULD FAIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SEAT RAILS, FRAME AND MADE ALL OTHER NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

20090625TIRES

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND IT FELT LIKE THE CAR RAN OVER SOMETHING. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE HAD RAN COMPLETELY FLAT WITH TREAD SPLITTING ALL AROUND IT. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED BUT I HAVE CONTACTED THE MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE TIRE HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE ARE DEFECTS WITH THE TIRES BECAUSE THE OTHER FRONT TIRE HAS A BUBBLE IN THE TREAD. *TR

Mileage: 22,000

20050628STEERING:RACK AND PINION

DATE OF PURCHASE WAS 01/10/2005 SERVICE#1.1ST WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS ON 01/18/2005 MILEAGE IN WAS 788 MILES, THE FRONT & REAR, BOTH HAD TO BE RE-ALIGNED, REPLACED PARTS WERE WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-L SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-R SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND CAR WAS TESTED TO VERIFY PULL TO THE RIGHT, THEY FOUND CAMBER ON LEFT FRONT OUT OF SPECS ALSO VEHICLE HAS A 0.14 SPLIT IN CASTER R&R TWO LOWER ENCAP PANELS INSTALL CASTER KIT ON RIGHT FRONT AND INSTALL CAMBER KIT ON LEFT FRONT PERFORM FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT ROAD TEST CAR AFTER THE CAR WAS COMPLETED. SERVICE #2. AT 1,766 I REQUESTED ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AGAIN. SERVICE #3 04/25/2005 AT 6174 MILES AND 05/10/2005 AT 6,310 MILES AFTER HIGH SPEED PANIC STOP ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTH A SEMI TRAILER TRUCK SWERVED INTO THE PASSING LANE CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID THE TRAILER ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IMMEDIATELY CAUSED THE CAR TO BEGIN TO SHAKE, SHIMMY AND RATTLE D

Mileage: 788

20050628STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK

DATE OF PURCHASE WAS 01/10/2005 SERVICE#1.1ST WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS ON 01/18/2005 MILEAGE IN WAS 788 MILES, THE FRONT & REAR, BOTH HAD TO BE RE-ALIGNED, REPLACED PARTS WERE WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-L SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND WHEEL CAMBER/CASTER-R SIDE/ADJUST INSTALL BOLT KITS AND CAR WAS TESTED TO VERIFY PULL TO THE RIGHT, THEY FOUND CAMBER ON LEFT FRONT OUT OF SPECS ALSO VEHICLE HAS A 0.14 SPLIT IN CASTER R&R TWO LOWER ENCAP PANELS INSTALL CASTER KIT ON RIGHT FRONT AND INSTALL CAMBER KIT ON LEFT FRONT PERFORM FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT ROAD TEST CAR AFTER THE CAR WAS COMPLETED. SERVICE #2. AT 1,766 I REQUESTED ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AGAIN. SERVICE #3 04/25/2005 AT 6174 MILES AND 05/10/2005 AT 6,310 MILES AFTER HIGH SPEED PANIC STOP ON INTERSTATE 15 NORTH A SEMI TRAILER TRUCK SWERVED INTO THE PASSING LANE CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID THE TRAILER ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IMMEDIATELY CAUSED THE CAR TO BEGIN TO SHAKE, SHIMMY AND RATTLE D

Mileage: 788

Compare 2005MERCEDES-BENZCLK500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 have?
The 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 has 21 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500?
The most-complained component for the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 is TIRES with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 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.