U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Mercedes Benz CL CLASS problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

19 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

55,650 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 18 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 19 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	1	5.3%
Electrical and battery issues	1	5.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Suspension

Engine And Engine Cooling

Electrical System

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Interior Lighting

Air Bags:Side/Window

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Suspension	6
Engine And Engine Cooling	4
Electrical System	2
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	2
Interior Lighting	2
Air Bags:Side/Window	1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1

Suspension: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Interior Lighting: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2001

2003

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 7; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2

Pattern summary

Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10047962 · 2003-12-24 (December 24, 2003)

THE BRAKES CHATTERED AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ROTORS, PER DEALERSHIP. *AK *CB *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047962 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10349271 · 2010-08-13 (August 13, 2010)

EXTENSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN 2002 CL500 MERCEDES BENZ. VEHICLE SEATS MOVE ON THEIR OWN WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN; LOCK IN WHATEVER POSITION IT CHOSE; HYDRAULICS IN THIS VEHICLE GO UP AND DOWN AT WILL. VEHICLE WILL LEAN ON ONE SIDE, THEN DROP TO WHERE IT IS UNDRIVEABLE, THEN RAISE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE KEY HAS DECODED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE NEW KEY HAD TO BE RECODED AS IT STARTED THE CAR AND THEN WOULD NOT START THE CAR. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE …

Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349271 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

19 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

94.7%Usable mileage18 / 19 records

94.7%Valid incident date18 / 19 records

100.0%Valid filing date19 / 19 records

94.7%Ordered incident and filing dates18 / 19 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Suspension	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10192354 · 67,000 mi THERE IS SUPPOSE TO BE A RECALL ON THE ABC ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ON THE MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS FROM 2001 TO 2004. MY CAR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND JUST FOUND OUT IT WAS A RECALL BY FORUM YESTERDAY, BUT IT DOES NOT SAY THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ON YOUR SITE OR ANY OTHER RECALL SITE. IF YOU COULD POST THIS RECALL TO THE LIST THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU *TR Look up ODI 10192354 at NHTSA ↗	631.6% ODI 10167388 · 56,000 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY ROSE UP AND DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ABC SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #04V228000 CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. Look up ODI 10167388 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 10350476 · 81,200 mi I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG. THE ABC OR ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED AND WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING, THE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK , SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE AND I NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE THICK SMOKE AND POOR VISIBILITY. I HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE THE CL55 TOWED TO MY MECHANIC MY MECHANIC, WHO SPECIALIZES IN HIGH END MERCEDES BENZ TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MERCEDES CL 55,65,600 MODELS FROM 2003-2006. MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE LATER MODELS. THE … Look up ODI 10350476 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10168193 · 38,000 mi I HAVE A 2001 MERCEDES CL 500 THAT I PAID 90K FOR AND HAS LESS THAN 40 K MILES. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I COULD SMELL ELECTRICAL SMOKE. EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE IGNITION, I SMELL BURNING. I NOTICED ON AN INTERNET SEARCH THAT THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED, I KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS BURNING UP ON THESE VEHICLES AS MY PARTNER'S CAR ( ALSO A MERCEDES) HAD HIS DO THE SAME THING. I REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE ACTION ON THIS MATTER AS I DON'T FEEL I… Look up ODI 10168193 at NHTSA ↗	210.5% ODI 10240148 · 54,000 mi LEFT REAR OF CAR SINKS AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK. REPAIRED MEASURES INCLUDE REPLACING VALVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABC SUSPENSION, THE ABC PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE ALSO FLUSHED THE ABC FLUID AND REPLACED THE FILTER ON MANY OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING FOR MORE THAN A DAY THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NOT OBSERVED ANY ABC FLUID LOSS. *TR Look up ODI 10240148 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	250.0% ODI 10129309 · 10,000 mi CAR WOULD NOT START AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR IN GEAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM. CURRENTLY THE CAR IS RUNNING. NEGOCIATING WITH MBZ TO BUY THE CAR BACK. Look up ODI 10129309 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	421.1% ODI 10190476 · 55,126 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE ABC LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,126. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THROUGH THE INTERNET THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT WHEN MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WAS CONTACTED THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST AND SMOKE… Look up ODI 10190476 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seat Belts	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	360.0% ODI 10261599 · 9,000 mi 1. EXITING A CURVE ON A WINDY ROAD AT APPROX. 30MPH, DRIVER APPLIED THROTTLE CAUSING AN AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT INTO A 516FTLB TORQUE LUNGE. WITH NO STEERING CONTROL IN 1-SECOND WE WERE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. DRIVER FOUGHT TO REGAIN CONTROL DURING SECOND NO. 2. THEN A LIMO BLEW THROUGH A STOP SIGN ON A MERGE LANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. BOTH DRIVER'S BRACED ON THEIR GAS PEDALS. 2. THE MERCEDES CL & SL CLASSES HAVE THE SAME FRONT SEATS WITH AN INTEGRATED SEAT BELT SYSTEM. SINCE IT WAS ONLY CONNECTED TO THE SEAT, THE SEAT FAILED WITHOUT EVEN… Look up ODI 10261599 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10321225 · 37,000 mi I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING … Look up ODI 10321225 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	240.0% ODI 10293508 · 12,000 mi 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55 LOW-SPEED (25-35MPH) HIGH-ACCELERATION HEAD-ON IMPACT WITH A LIMOUSINE (APPROX. 45MPH) WHERE THE CL55 DASH MOUNTED AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST, AND THE CL55'S INTEGRATED SEATBELT WORN BY THE PASSENGER AND SOLE SURVIVOR RESULTED IN THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT-BACK BY 45-DEGREES WITHOUT IMPOSING A NOTABLE INJURY TO THE PASSENGER'S RIGHT SHOULDER. DUE TO THE INSTANTANEOUS NATURE OF THIS INCIDENT THE DRIVER INSTINCTIVELY BRACED HIMSELF....ON THE ACCELERATOR BEFORE IMPACT. THE 516FTLBS OF TORQUE OF TH… Look up ODI 10293508 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10321225 · 37,000 mi I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING … Look up ODI 10321225 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Interior Lighting	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10167695 · 65,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THERE WAS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AK UPDATED 9/22/2006 - *NM Look up ODI 10167695 at NHTSA ↗	210.5% ODI 10279825 · 41,000 mi 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SAG & THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CLUSTER SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY DARK WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS CHARGES US EACH OCCURRENCE TO "FIX IT.". NOW I FIND BOTH PROBLEMS ARE IN SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 04V228000 AND 06V028000 THESE ARE RECALLS. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED CORRECTLY THIS TIME WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO USE US AS A CASH HORSE & GETTING RIPPED OFF AS IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE PAN… Look up ODI 10279825 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	210.5% ODI 10196215 · 55,300 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, PREVENTING HIM FROM READING THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,300. Look up ODI 10196215 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seats	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 10261599 · 9,000 mi 1. EXITING A CURVE ON A WINDY ROAD AT APPROX. 30MPH, DRIVER APPLIED THROTTLE CAUSING AN AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT INTO A 516FTLB TORQUE LUNGE. WITH NO STEERING CONTROL IN 1-SECOND WE WERE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. DRIVER FOUGHT TO REGAIN CONTROL DURING SECOND NO. 2. THEN A LIMO BLEW THROUGH A STOP SIGN ON A MERGE LANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. BOTH DRIVER'S BRACED ON THEIR GAS PEDALS. 2. THE MERCEDES CL & SL CLASSES HAVE THE SAME FRONT SEATS WITH AN INTEGRATED SEAT BELT SYSTEM. SINCE IT WAS ONLY CONNECTED TO THE SEAT, THE SEAT FAILED WITHOUT EVEN… Look up ODI 10261599 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10321225 · 37,000 mi I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2004 CL 500 MB FROM HBL TYSONS ON 8545 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA ON APR 19, 2008. THE SALESMAN SHOWED ME THE CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. SO, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE W/ AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I EXPERIENCED MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TIRE PROBLEMS, & PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER/ HEAT. OVER A 1 YEARS LATER, MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK & FORTH AT THE HBL TYSONS CORNER, VA & MB ANNAPOLIS, MD SVC CNTR OVER 40 TIMES FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING … Look up ODI 10321225 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Suspension	54,000–70,162 mi	56,000 mi	5	ODI 10167388 · 56,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY ROSE UP AND DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ABC SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #04V228000 CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. Look up ODI 10167388 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10200515 · 70,162 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABC LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO A RECALL AND THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE ABC PRESSURE HOSE AND THE HYDRAULIC PUMP LEAK. THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED $2,824 FOR THE REPAIR WORK AND WAS INFORMED THAT A DEFECTIVE RECALL PART CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,162. Look up ODI 10200515 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10240148 · 54,000 mi LEFT REAR OF CAR SINKS AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK. REPAIRED MEASURES INCLUDE REPLACING VALVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABC SUSPENSION, THE ABC PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE ALSO FLUSHED THE ABC FLUID AND REPLACED THE FILTER ON MANY OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING FOR MORE THAN A DAY THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NOT OBSERVED ANY ABC FLUID LOSS. *TR Look up ODI 10240148 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	77,499 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10190476 · 55,126 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE ABC LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,126. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THROUGH THE INTERNET THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT WHEN MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WAS CONTACTED THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST AND SMOKE… Look up ODI 10190476 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10197945 · 101,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE HIM FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE BEFORE HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,740 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. Look up ODI 10197945 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10197986 · 70,997 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL 500. HE STATED THAT THE ABC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HE WAS CHARGED $171.90 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND $2,568.03 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (RECALL#07V263000) FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING AFTER HE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,997. Look up ODI 10197986 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	43,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10240148 · 54,000 mi LEFT REAR OF CAR SINKS AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK. REPAIRED MEASURES INCLUDE REPLACING VALVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABC SUSPENSION, THE ABC PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE ALSO FLUSHED THE ABC FLUID AND REPLACED THE FILTER ON MANY OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING FOR MORE THAN A DAY THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NOT OBSERVED ANY ABC FLUID LOSS. *TR Look up ODI 10240148 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10349271 · 33,000 mi EXTENSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN 2002 CL500 MERCEDES BENZ. VEHICLE SEATS MOVE ON THEIR OWN WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN; LOCK IN WHATEVER POSITION IT CHOSE; HYDRAULICS IN THIS VEHICLE GO UP AND DOWN AT WILL. VEHICLE WILL LEAN ON ONE SIDE, THEN DROP TO WHERE IT IS UNDRIVEABLE, THEN RAISE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE KEY HAS DECODED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE NEW KEY HAD TO BE RECODED AS IT STARTED THE CAR AND THEN WOULD NOT START THE CAR. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE … Look up ODI 10349271 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Too few reports for a range	36,650 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10196215 · 55,300 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, PREVENTING HIM FROM READING THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,300. Look up ODI 10196215 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10201207 · 18,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LCD THAT DISPLAYED THE SPEED, GEARS, TEMPERATURE, AND CLOCK IS NOT OPERATING NORMALLY AND THE HE IS UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 BF UPDATED 12/12/07 JB Look up ODI 10201207 at NHTSA ↗
Interior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	75,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10279825 · 41,000 mi 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SAG & THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CLUSTER SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY DARK WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS CHARGES US EACH OCCURRENCE TO "FIX IT.". NOW I FIND BOTH PROBLEMS ARE IN SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 04V228000 AND 06V028000 THESE ARE RECALLS. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED CORRECTLY THIS TIME WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO USE US AS A CASH HORSE & GETTING RIPPED OFF AS IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE PAN… Look up ODI 10279825 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10351826 · 110,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACING OR WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 -INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROX… Look up ODI 10351826 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Side/Window	Too few reports for a range	20,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10117234 · 20,000 mi WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT A VEHICLE CROSSED THE MEDIAN AT A HIGH SPEED AND STRUCK CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S DOOR. UPON IMPACT IMPACT SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.AK CONSUMER NOTICE MERCEDES BENZ BODY SERVICE, NO RESPONSE AS TO WHY? BF Look up ODI 10117234 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	85,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10247956 · 85,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V263000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ABC VALVE BLOCK AT THE COST OF $2,200 AND STATED THAT THERE WERE MATERIALS IN THE FLUID OF THE ABC SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOCKAGE. THERE IS A HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE SYSTEM AND THE FLUID ONLY ENTERS ONE WAY AND EXITS THE SAME WAY; THEREFORE, THE BLOCKAGE IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED. CURRENTLY, A WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED WITH T… Look up ODI 10247956 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2004: 1 complaints · 2005: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2004	0	1	1
2005	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2004	4	0	0
2005	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Suspension	Engine And Engine Cooling	Electrical System	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Interior Lighting	Air Bags:Side/Window	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Suspension	—	0	1 ODI 10240148 · 54,000 mi LEFT REAR OF CAR SINKS AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK. REPAIRED MEASURES INCLUDE REPLACING VALVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABC SUSPENSION, THE ABC PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE ALSO FLUSHED THE ABC FLUID AND REPLACED THE FILTER ON MANY OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING FOR MORE THAN A DAY THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NOT OBSERVED ANY ABC FLUID LOSS. *TR Look up ODI 10240148 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10279825 · 41,000 mi 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SAG & THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CLUSTER SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY DARK WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS CHARGES US EACH OCCURRENCE TO "FIX IT.". NOW I FIND BOTH PROBLEMS ARE IN SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 04V228000 AND 06V028000 THESE ARE RECALLS. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED CORRECTLY THIS TIME WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO USE US AS A CASH HORSE & GETTING RIPPED OFF AS IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE PAN… Look up ODI 10279825 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 896103 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, A LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON, STATING "UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE." DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT "AUTOMATIC BODY CONTROL SYSTEM" FOR SUSPENSION HAD MALFUNCTIONED, THIS CAUSED THE LEFT REAR PORTION OF FRAME TO DROP DOWN.AK THE DEALER REPLACED TWO VALVES AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO CONSUMER THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK OF OVER TWO QUARTS, CONSUMER RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WAS ORDERED WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE DELIVERED IN LATE NOVEMBER.J… Look up ODI 896103 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10247956 · 85,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V263000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ABC VALVE BLOCK AT THE COST OF $2,200 AND STATED THAT THERE WERE MATERIALS IN THE FLUID OF THE ABC SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOCKAGE. THERE IS A HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE SYSTEM AND THE FLUID ONLY ENTERS ONE WAY AND EXITS THE SAME WAY; THEREFORE, THE BLOCKAGE IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED. CURRENTLY, A WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED WITH T… Look up ODI 10247956 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 10240148 · 54,000 mi LEFT REAR OF CAR SINKS AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK. REPAIRED MEASURES INCLUDE REPLACING VALVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABC SUSPENSION, THE ABC PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE ALSO FLUSHED THE ABC FLUID AND REPLACED THE FILTER ON MANY OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING FOR MORE THAN A DAY THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NOT OBSERVED ANY ABC FLUID LOSS. *TR Look up ODI 10240148 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Interior Lighting	1 ODI 10279825 · 41,000 mi 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SAG & THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CLUSTER SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY DARK WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS CHARGES US EACH OCCURRENCE TO "FIX IT.". NOW I FIND BOTH PROBLEMS ARE IN SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 04V228000 AND 06V028000 THESE ARE RECALLS. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED CORRECTLY THIS TIME WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO USE US AS A CASH HORSE & GETTING RIPPED OFF AS IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE PAN… Look up ODI 10279825 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Air Bags:Side/Window	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	1 ODI 896103 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, A LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON, STATING "UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE." DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT "AUTOMATIC BODY CONTROL SYSTEM" FOR SUSPENSION HAD MALFUNCTIONED, THIS CAUSED THE LEFT REAR PORTION OF FRAME TO DROP DOWN.AK THE DEALER REPLACED TWO VALVES AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO CONSUMER THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK OF OVER TWO QUARTS, CONSUMER RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WAS ORDERED WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE DELIVERED IN LATE NOVEMBER.J… Look up ODI 896103 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1 ODI 10247956 · 85,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V263000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ABC VALVE BLOCK AT THE COST OF $2,200 AND STATED THAT THERE WERE MATERIALS IN THE FLUID OF THE ABC SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOCKAGE. THERE IS A HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE SYSTEM AND THE FLUID ONLY ENTERS ONE WAY AND EXITS THE SAME WAY; THEREFORE, THE BLOCKAGE IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED. CURRENTLY, A WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED WITH T… Look up ODI 10247956 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 10.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 92,500 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10197945 · 101,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE HIM FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE BEFORE HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,740 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Look up ODI 10197945 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10433054 · 84,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN ABNORMAL SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST. THE ABC SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKING NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE JUNE 07, 2007 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE…

Look up ODI 10433054 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 5.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 33,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10349271 · 33,000 mi

Look up ODI 10349271 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 5.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 14,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10047962 · 14,000 mi

THE BRAKES CHATTERED AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ROTORS, PER DEALERSHIP. *AK *CB *JB

Look up ODI 10047962 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule