2004 Mercedes Benz CL55: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
2010: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10348820 · 2010-08-11 (August 11, 2010)
MY COMMAND CENTER WILL NOT WORK, IT STATES [ UNAVAILABLE ] WHEN THE CARS TEMP. OR OUTSIDE IS BELOW 70 DEG. ABOVE 70 DEG. EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE, AS IF I GET SICK,OR HAVE A HEART PROBLEM, OR JUST NEED HELP FOR ME OR SOMEBODY ELSE, NOTHING WORKS, LIKE PHONE, EMERGENCY SERVICES, RADIO, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, AND THINKS I DON'T SEE THAT CAN BE HAPPENING WITH THE CARS EMERGENCY COMPUTER SYSTEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348820 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 120.0%ODI 10502119 · 105,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABC SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2100.0%ODI 10286363TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CL55. WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THERE WOULD BE A PUDDLE OF FLUID BEHIND IT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/23/09 *BF THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS INFORMED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 10/26/09 | 150.0%ODI 11341271 · 123,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55. THE CONTACT STATED THE BOLT USED TO SECURE THE REAR SUBFRAME LOOSENED AND CAUSED THE BODY TO DETACH FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF FAYETTEVILLE LOCATED AT 420 GLENSFORD DR, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314, [phone removed], WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000. |
| Electrical System | 240.0%ODI 10748332 · 80,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 (NA) MERCEDES BENZ CL55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. | 1100.0%ODI 10348820 · 89,000 miMY COMMAND CENTER WILL NOT WORK, IT STATES [ UNAVAILABLE ] WHEN THE CARS TEMP. OR OUTSIDE IS BELOW 70 DEG. ABOVE 70 DEG. EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE, AS IF I GET SICK,OR HAVE A HEART PROBLEM, OR JUST NEED HELP FOR ME OR SOMEBODY ELSE, NOTHING WORKS, LIKE PHONE, EMERGENCY SERVICES, RADIO, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, AND THINKS I DON'T SEE THAT CAN BE HAPPENING WITH THE CARS EMERGENCY COMPUTER SYSTEM. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags | 120.0%ODI 11506625The seat occupancy sensor on the passenger seat of this car is malfunctioning. This is a RECOGNIZED PROBLEM for Mercedes cars. There are numerous websites and YouTube videos describing this problem, offering replacement sensors, offering bypass kits and describing how to make this repair. (Please see attached for small sample). But Mercedes does not acknowledge this problem and has not responded to correspondence about the problem. Instead, the local dealer has said that it will cost >$1,000 to diagnose the problem and that they will probably … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 120.0%ODI 10503626 · 37,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND RESET THE LIGHT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM, WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE CORRODED AND CAUSED THE STEEL LINING OF THE HOSES TO CORRODE AND LEAK HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats | 120.0%ODI 11506625The seat occupancy sensor on the passenger seat of this car is malfunctioning. This is a RECOGNIZED PROBLEM for Mercedes cars. There are numerous websites and YouTube videos describing this problem, offering replacement sensors, offering bypass kits and describing how to make this repair. (Please see attached for small sample). But Mercedes does not acknowledge this problem and has not responded to correspondence about the problem. Instead, the local dealer has said that it will cost >$1,000 to diagnose the problem and that they will probably … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10181289 · 20,000 miBOUGHT A BRAND NEW MERCEDES 2006 CLK 350 OFF THE DEALER LOT. ENGINE FIRE GUTTED OUT THE WHOLE CAR BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. WHILE DRIVING SMELLED SMOKE IN THE CAR, NOTICED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PULLED THE CAR OVER OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE ENGINEERING REPORT FROM MERCEDES ENGINEER AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY ENGINEER CONCLUDED THE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOLES CAME OFF AND SHOT POWER STEERING FLUID INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH STARTED THE FIRE. MERCEDE… |
| Structure | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 11341271 · 123,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55. THE CONTACT STATED THE BOLT USED TO SECURE THE REAR SUBFRAME LOOSENED AND CAUSED THE BODY TO DETACH FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF FAYETTEVILLE LOCATED AT 420 GLENSFORD DR, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314, [phone removed], WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000. |
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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 89,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10348820 · 89,000 miMY COMMAND CENTER WILL NOT WORK, IT STATES [ UNAVAILABLE ] WHEN THE CARS TEMP. OR OUTSIDE IS BELOW 70 DEG. ABOVE 70 DEG. EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE, AS IF I GET SICK,OR HAVE A HEART PROBLEM, OR JUST NEED HELP FOR ME OR SOMEBODY ELSE, NOTHING WORKS, LIKE PHONE, EMERGENCY SERVICES, RADIO, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, AND THINKS I DON'T SEE THAT CAN BE HAPPENING WITH THE CARS EMERGENCY COMPUTER SYSTEM. *TR |
Complaint and recall timeline
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (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.
2005: 0 complaints · 2006: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 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 | Electrical System |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.