U.S. public vehicle records

2000 Mercedes Benz CLK430 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

20 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

60,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 15 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 20 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	4	20.0%
Transmission and shifting	3	15.0%
Engine operation	1	5.0%
Braking behavior	1	5.0%
Steering behavior	1	5.0%

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.

Electrical System

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

Power Train

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Fuel System, Gasoline

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	5
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	4
Power Train	2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	1
Engine And Engine Cooling	1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	1
Fuel System, Gasoline	1
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	1

Electrical System: 5; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 4; Power Train: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 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: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 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.

2000

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2013

2014

2015

2000: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10161748 · 2006-07-07 (July 7, 2006)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161748 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10534614 · 2013-08-10 (August 10, 2013)

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 WHE…

Owner-reported narrative. 12,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534614 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10368110 · 2010-11-29 (November 29, 2010)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10368110 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10401158 · 2011-05-16 (May 16, 2011)

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 3…

Owner-reported narrative. 165,456 miles reported. Look up ODI 10401158 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10083399 · 2004-07-21 (July 21, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED THE FAILURE ON THE QUALITY OF GAS IN THE STATE. A FACTORY REP REFUSED TO COME OUT BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083399 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10412231 · 2011-07-14 (July 14, 2011)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10412231 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

20 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

75.0%Usable mileage15 / 20 records

100.0%Valid incident date20 / 20 records

100.0%Valid filing date20 / 20 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates20 / 20 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	1999	2000	2002	2003
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	525.0% ODI 10175065 CLUSTER DEFECT. SCREEN IS SCRAMBLED. *JB Look up ODI 10175065 at NHTSA ↗	250.0% ODI 11308074 · 105,000 mi WHILE DRIVING MY WINDOWS GO DOWN WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT A NOTICE, THIS CAN BE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN I'M DRIVING, ALSO CAN BE A DISTRACTION FAR AS SAFETY GOES, THIS HAPPENS OFTEN WITHOUT NOTICE AND ALLOWS THE RAIN TO ENTER INSIDE MY VEHICLE. Look up ODI 11308074 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	420.0% ODI 10202951 · 60,000 mi LED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT FUNCTION. CANNOT SEE GEAR I AM IN OR TIME, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ETC. Look up ODI 10202951 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	210.0% ODI 10412231 · 70,000 mi 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… Look up ODI 10412231 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10598071 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN Look up ODI 10598071 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	218.2% ODI 10003197 · 128,120 mi TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN. WHILE WAS GOING IN REVERSE FORDWARD GEAR WENT ON ,MAKING A LOUD NOISE PUT THE LEVER ON NEUTRAL AND CAR STILL GOING FORWARD Look up ODI 10003197 at NHTSA ↗	15.0% ODI 10368110 · 77,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10368110 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	218.2% ODI 10073139 · 70,512 mi THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE DEFECT REPORTED IN ODI ID NUMBER 769483: CRACK IN PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG COVER (1999 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430). AT THIS POINT I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A COSMETIC DEFECT ONLY BUT WOULD LIKE TO BE NOTIFIED IF IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *NM Look up ODI 10073139 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.0% ODI 10534614 · 12,500 mi 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 WHE… Look up ODI 10534614 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10733464 · 150,100 mi WENT TO PUT MY TOP UP ON MERCEDES CABRIOLET PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WITH THE KEY ON AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, IN PARK, PARKING BRAKE ON, PRESSED CLOSURE BUTTON. DURING CLOSURE HEADRESTS BEGAN TO RAISE. NOT A SUDDEN POP UP KIND OF RAISING, BUT A SLOW, STEADY RAISING, AS IF I HAD MY HAND ON THE BUTTON TO RAISE THEM, YET I DID NOT. IT'S ON THE DASH, AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR, AND HAD NO ITEMS IN THE CAR EITHER. FOR THE RECORD, WHILE FEMALE, I GREW UP RACING CARS, HAVE CHANGED MY OWN ENGINE, TURBO, TRANSMISSION, SHOCKS, SPRINGS, ETC. THESE… Look up ODI 10733464 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	19.1% ODI 10222592 · 82,020 mi I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR. I COULD NOT RE START FOR ABOUT 40 MIN. IT SHUT DOWN TWO MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT HOME.THIS WAS A BAD SITUATION, VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD NO WHERE TO GO TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. TURNS OUT TO BE A BAD CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR Look up ODI 10222592 at NHTSA ↗	15.0% ODI 10217128 · 76,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10217128 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	19.1% ODI 10161727 · 100,685 mi FAILED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LEFT MY CAR DEAD IN VERY HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS NOTORIOUSLY FAILURE-PRONE ON THE 8-CYL MERCEDES MODELS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY (FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS) A DEFECTIVE PART AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED RIGHT AWAY. FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR RENDERS THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND SUDDENLY IMMOBILE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. *NM Look up ODI 10161727 at NHTSA ↗	15.0% ODI 10161748 · 59,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10161748 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% 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
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	75,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10194270 · 75,000 mi TLTHE 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. Look up ODI 10194270 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10268256 · 25,000 mi TLTHE 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. Look up ODI 10268256 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10712547 · 156,000 mi 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 COPP… Look up ODI 10712547 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Too few reports for a range	80,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10202951 · 60,000 mi LED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT FUNCTION. CANNOT SEE GEAR I AM IN OR TIME, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ETC. Look up ODI 10202951 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10205797 · 80,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10205797 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10401158 · 165,456 mi 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 3… Look up ODI 10401158 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	70,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10412231 · 70,000 mi 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… Look up ODI 10412231 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Too few reports for a range	12,500 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10534614 · 12,500 mi 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 WHE… Look up ODI 10534614 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	76,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10217128 · 76,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10217128 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	59,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10161748 · 59,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10161748 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	20,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10083399 · 20,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED THE FAILURE ON THE QUALITY OF GAS IN THE STATE. A FACTORY REP REFUSED TO COME OUT BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *JB Look up ODI 10083399 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	77,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10368110 · 77,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10368110 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
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
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 (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

2002: 0 complaints · 2003: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2002	0	0	0
2003	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
2002	4	0	0
2003	2	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	Electrical System	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	Power Train	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Fuel System, Gasoline	Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Electrical System	—	0	1 ODI 10573653 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 CONVER… Look up ODI 10573653 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Power Train	1 ODI 10573653 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 CONVER… Look up ODI 10573653 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	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

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 15.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 59,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10083399 · 20,000 mi

Look up ODI 10083399 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10161748 · 59,000 mi

Look up ODI 10161748 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10217128 · 76,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10217128 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b