Mercedes Benz CLK550 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 to 2009 model years. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 6 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Engine operation
2
33.3%
Fuel system concerns
2
33.3%
Steering behavior
1
16.7%
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
Engine
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
Engine
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 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.
2007
1
2013
1
2015
2
2017
1
2020
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2007
1
2013
1
2015
2
2017
1
2020
1
2007: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 2; 2017: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN UNSECURED CLAMP BEHIND THE FIREWALL AND AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
THE VEHICLE STALLED, ENGINE QUIT, ON A BUSY SIDE STREET. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ON THE DIRT SIDE OF THE STREET. RESTARTS WERE ATTEMPTED TO NO AVAIL. THE ENGINE WILL IDLE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN SHUTDOWN. IT SOUNDED LIKE FUEL STARVATION. THE FUEL INDICATOR SHOWED 4 BARS OR A LITTLE UNDER HALF TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED WITH 5 GALLONS OF GASOLINE WHERE THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE AND DRIVEN HOME. THE CAUSE WAS FOUND OUT TO BE A FAULTY FUEL INDICATOR. IT LATER FREEZES ON HALF FULL EVEN IF IT IS FILLED TO FULL TANK AT THE GAS STATION. FUEL…
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED UP FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE GARAGE. AFTER THE CAR IS DRIVEN AND A FEW GALLONS OF FUEL ARE BURNED, THE SMELL IS NO LONGER NOTICEABLE. THE REPAIR FACILITY SAID THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND SEALS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ CLK550. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE STEERING LOCKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, POWERTRAIN, AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
83.3%Usable mileage5 / 6 records
100.0%Valid incident date6 / 6 records
100.0%Valid filing date6 / 6 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates6 / 6 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.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2007
2008
2009
Fuel/Propulsion System
240.0%ODI 10692503 · 35,000 mi
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED UP FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE GARAGE. AFTER THE CAR IS DRIVEN AND A FEW GALLONS OF FUEL ARE BURNED, THE SMELL IS NO LONGER NOTICEABLE. THE REPAIR FACILITY SAID THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND SEALS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A PRIVATE PARTY ON 10/21/17 WITH 76,860 MILES. I FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS, PARKED IT MY GARAGE, DOOR CLOSED. NEXT MORNING THERE A VERY STRONG ODOR OF RAW GAS. A MERCEDES DEALER CONFIRMED THROUGH DIAGNOSTICS AND A SMOKE TEST THAT BOTH SENDING UNITS AND SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN UNSECURED CLAMP BEHIND THE FIREWALL AND AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ CLK550. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE STEERING LOCKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, POWERTRAIN, AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.
THE VEHICLE STALLED, ENGINE QUIT, ON A BUSY SIDE STREET. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ON THE DIRT SIDE OF THE STREET. RESTARTS WERE ATTEMPTED TO NO AVAIL. THE ENGINE WILL IDLE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN SHUTDOWN. IT SOUNDED LIKE FUEL STARVATION. THE FUEL INDICATOR SHOWED 4 BARS OR A LITTLE UNDER HALF TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED WITH 5 GALLONS OF GASOLINE WHERE THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE AND DRIVEN HOME. THE CAUSE WAS FOUND OUT TO BE A FAULTY FUEL INDICATOR. IT LATER FREEZES ON HALF FULL EVEN IF IT IS FILLED TO FULL TANK AT THE GAS STATION. FUEL…
PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT, NEXT MORNING MY GARAGE HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR IT WAS EVEN STRONGER. HAS BEEN 3 DAYS NOW AND YOU CAN EVEN SMELL THE GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT'S BEEN PARKED.THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CABIN OF MY CAR IS NAUSEATING AND I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS.
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
Fuel/Propulsion System
Too few reports for a range
76,860 mi
3 (sparse)
ODI 10692503 · 35,000 mi
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED UP FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE GARAGE. AFTER THE CAR IS DRIVEN AND A FEW GALLONS OF FUEL ARE BURNED, THE SMELL IS NO LONGER NOTICEABLE. THE REPAIR FACILITY SAID THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND SEALS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT, NEXT MORNING MY GARAGE HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR IT WAS EVEN STRONGER. HAS BEEN 3 DAYS NOW AND YOU CAN EVEN SMELL THE GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT'S BEEN PARKED.THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CABIN OF MY CAR IS NAUSEATING AND I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS.
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A PRIVATE PARTY ON 10/21/17 WITH 76,860 MILES. I FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS, PARKED IT MY GARAGE, DOOR CLOSED. NEXT MORNING THERE A VERY STRONG ODOR OF RAW GAS. A MERCEDES DEALER CONFIRMED THROUGH DIAGNOSTICS AND A SMOKE TEST THAT BOTH SENDING UNITS AND SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN UNSECURED CLAMP BEHIND THE FIREWALL AND AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
THE VEHICLE STALLED, ENGINE QUIT, ON A BUSY SIDE STREET. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ON THE DIRT SIDE OF THE STREET. RESTARTS WERE ATTEMPTED TO NO AVAIL. THE ENGINE WILL IDLE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN SHUTDOWN. IT SOUNDED LIKE FUEL STARVATION. THE FUEL INDICATOR SHOWED 4 BARS OR A LITTLE UNDER HALF TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED WITH 5 GALLONS OF GASOLINE WHERE THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE AND DRIVEN HOME. THE CAUSE WAS FOUND OUT TO BE A FAULTY FUEL INDICATOR. IT LATER FREEZES ON HALF FULL EVEN IF IT IS FILLED TO FULL TANK AT THE GAS STATION. FUEL…
PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT, NEXT MORNING MY GARAGE HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR IT WAS EVEN STRONGER. HAS BEEN 3 DAYS NOW AND YOU CAN EVEN SMELL THE GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT'S BEEN PARKED.THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CABIN OF MY CAR IS NAUSEATING AND I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS.
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
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.
2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2008
0
0
0
2009
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
2008
1
0
0
2009
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
Fuel/Propulsion System
Engine
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Fuel System, Gasoline
Unknown Or Other
Fuel/Propulsion System
—
0
0
0
1ODI 11378107 · 82,000 mi
PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT, NEXT MORNING MY GARAGE HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR IT WAS EVEN STRONGER. HAS BEEN 3 DAYS NOW AND YOU CAN EVEN SMELL THE GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT'S BEEN PARKED.THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CABIN OF MY CAR IS NAUSEATING AND I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS.
PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT, NEXT MORNING MY GARAGE HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR IT WAS EVEN STRONGER. HAS BEEN 3 DAYS NOW AND YOU CAN EVEN SMELL THE GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT'S BEEN PARKED.THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CABIN OF MY CAR IS NAUSEATING AND I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS.
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.
3 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
2 mentions · 33.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 63,460 mi (2 usable records).
ODI 10538568 · 72,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN UNSECURED CLAMP BEHIND THE FIREWALL AND AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
THE VEHICLE STALLED, ENGINE QUIT, ON A BUSY SIDE STREET. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ON THE DIRT SIDE OF THE STREET. RESTARTS WERE ATTEMPTED TO NO AVAIL. THE ENGINE WILL IDLE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN SHUTDOWN. IT SOUNDED LIKE FUEL STARVATION. THE FUEL INDICATOR SHOWED 4 BARS OR A LITTLE UNDER HALF TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED WITH 5 GALLONS OF GASOLINE WHERE THE VEHICLE STARTED FINE AND DRIVEN HOME. THE CAUSE WAS FOUND OUT TO BE A FAULTY FUEL INDICATOR. IT LATER FREEZES ON HALF FULL EVEN IF IT IS FILLED TO FULL TANK AT THE GAS STATION. FUEL…
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Fuel smell or leak mentions
1 mentions · 16.7% of complaints
Median mileage: 82,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 11378107 · 82,000 mi
PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT, NEXT MORNING MY GARAGE HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR IT WAS EVEN STRONGER. HAS BEEN 3 DAYS NOW AND YOU CAN EVEN SMELL THE GAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT'S BEEN PARKED.THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CABIN OF MY CAR IS NAUSEATING AND I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ CLK550. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE STEERING LOCKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, POWERTRAIN, AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.