Mercedes Benz CLK430 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
75,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 to 2003 model years. Data updated: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 37 complaints (18.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting
6
16.2%
Electrical and battery issues
5
13.5%
Braking behavior
4
10.8%
Engine operation
3
8.1%
Steering behavior
1
2.7%
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
7
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
4
Power Train
3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Air Bags
2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
2
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Electrical System
7
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
4
Power Train
3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Air Bags
2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
2
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Electrical System: 7; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 4; Power Train: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Air Bags: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
6
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
6
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
3
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 11 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.
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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.
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
DT: THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER DASHBOARD AFTER IT WAS PARKED. IT SET FOR A SHORT TIME. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID AN INVESTIGATION, AND STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN WIRING FROM DISTRIBUTION PANEL AND THE FUSE GRID TO THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED ON MAY 10, 2003. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION. *AK
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
AT ROUGHLY 80,000 MILES, BEGAN RECEIVING ABS AND ESP WARNING LIGHTS, INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND THEN INCREAING IN FREQUENCY, SO THAT NOW THEY ARE ON ROUGHLY HALF THE TIME. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED ABS CONTROL MODULE FAULT CODE C1120 ("STANDSTILL CALIBRATION OF YAW RATE SENSOR ERRONEOUS") AND CONFIRMS THAT I AM WITHOUT ABS WHEN WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. MECEDESBENZ TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER AF42.45-U-8103A (DATED 22 JUN 2000) INDICATES THAT THIS DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROL MODULE PART WAS REPLACED IN PRODUCTION STARTING IN 2000, AND WAS REPLACED IN …
I WAS DOING AROUND 55 AND THE ROAD WAS CURVING SLIGHTLY WHEN I SUDDENLY SAW A LARGE OBJECT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT GO TO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE A CAR WAS RIGHT NEXT TO ME SO I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, I FELT ABS KICKING IN AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GO AROUND THE OBJECT WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A LARGE CARDBOARD BOX. AT THIS POINT IS WHERE I ENCOUNTER MY PROBLEM, I GIVE THE CAR GAS TO PROCEED DOWN THE ROAD, THE CAR JUST REVS AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, I LOOK DOWN AT MY SHIFTER AND IT IS IN D. I SHIFT DOWN TO LOWER GEARS AND NOTHING. NOW I…
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
THE VEHICLE STARTED BACK FIRING AND STALLING, IT SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE , ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING AND THE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
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…
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
37 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
70.3%Usable mileage26 / 37 records
100.0%Valid incident date37 / 37 records
100.0%Valid filing date37 / 37 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates37 / 37 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.
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.
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…
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
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
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
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…
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…
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
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
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
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
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
90,000 mi
4 (sparse)
ODI 10194270 · 75,000 mi
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.
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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
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
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
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…
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…
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
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
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
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
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)
0
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.
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
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Air Bags
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Engine And Engine Cooling
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Electrical System
—
0
1ODI 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…
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…
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.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
5 mentions · 13.5% of complaints
Median mileage: 67,500 mi (4 usable records).
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
THE VEHICLE STARTED BACK FIRING AND STALLING, IT SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE , ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING AND THE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
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
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 2.7% of complaints
Median mileage: 80,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10082969 · 80,000 mi
AT ROUGHLY 80,000 MILES, BEGAN RECEIVING ABS AND ESP WARNING LIGHTS, INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND THEN INCREAING IN FREQUENCY, SO THAT NOW THEY ARE ON ROUGHLY HALF THE TIME. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED ABS CONTROL MODULE FAULT CODE C1120 ("STANDSTILL CALIBRATION OF YAW RATE SENSOR ERRONEOUS") AND CONFIRMS THAT I AM WITHOUT ABS WHEN WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. MECEDESBENZ TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER AF42.45-U-8103A (DATED 22 JUN 2000) INDICATES THAT THIS DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROL MODULE PART WAS REPLACED IN PRODUCTION STARTING IN 2000, AND WAS REPLACED IN …