2004 Mercedes Benz CLK CLASS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
17,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 7 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 42.9% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 1 |
Air Bags: 1; Equipment: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Tires: 1; Tires:Sidewall: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10101418 · 2004-11-30 (November 30, 2004)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT GRILL AND BUMPER WERE RIPPED OFF. THERE WAS DAMAGE ON EVERY SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY THE RIGHT REAR AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *NM *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101418 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106935 · 2005-01-06 (January 6, 2005)
THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM ARM MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED FOR LEAKING FLUID, AND NOT CHANGING GEARS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116614 · 2005-04-08 (April 8, 2005)
ON MONDAY, APRIL 4TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CLK55 CONVERTIBLE TO MY OFFICE, GOING 55 MPH AND LOST ALL POWER. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR GOING AGAIN, WITH NO SUCCESS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN DRIVE A FEW MILES PER HOUR TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE TRANSMISSION ARE BROKEN. THE TORQUE CONVERTER PART HAS BEEN ORDERED FROM GERMANY, AND IT IS ON BACKORDER FOR THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN OTHER C…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117970 · 2005-04-16 (April 16, 2005)
SPARE TIRE FOLDS OVER WHEN INSTALLED IN A TURN UNDER 55 MPH LEAVING CAR EXTREMLY UNSTABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155791 · 2006-04-20 (April 20, 2006)
WHILE USING THE CUP HOLDER ON MY 2004 MERCEDEZ BENZ CLK VIN [XXX] COFFEE SPILLED AND CAUSED THE RADIO AND A/C UNIT TO MALFUNCTION. THIS RESULTED IN ALMOST $2,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. THE CUP HOLDER IN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE RADIO AND A/C CONTROLS. I KNOW THAT MERCEDES HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH THE SLK MODELS WITH SPILLS CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION TO SHORT OUT. BASED ON THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER IS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT SPILLING WHEN FACED WITH A SUDDEN STOP OR A HOLE IN THE ROAD. I REQUESTED THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10185625 · 2007-03-20 (March 20, 2007)
KEYES MERCEDES BENZ SOLD ME A VEHICLE ,CLK 320, WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES , AND WAS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10185625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10440867 · 2011-12-21 (December 21, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10440867 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V534000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2003-12-19 (December 19, 2003)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY HAVE A BURR ON A METAL COMPONENT OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE PRESENCE OF THE BURR COULD PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM LOCKING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗08V303000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2008-07-07 (July 7, 2008)
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
7 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 | 2000 | 2001 | 2003 | 2004 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1100.0%ODI 10198337 · 44,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS BEGINNING TO FADE AND IS DIFFICULT TO READ. THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL IS TURNING ORANGE IN COLOR. THE REST OF THE PANEL REMAINS GRAY. HE HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. | 428.6%ODI 10198355 · 61,300 miDASH LED'S ARE FAILING CAUSING THE DRIVE INDICATOR TO NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. WHEN I PLACE IT IN GEAR BECAUSE THE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AS A BAD CONNECTION I CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR I AM IN. ALSO THE SAME LED'S FOR THE CLOCK AND TEMP ARE FAILING IN THE SAME UNIT. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 10227663 · 63,000 miTHE PIXELS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT AND YOU CAN NO LONGER TELL WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. I'VE BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR THEIR INSPECTION AND I WAS QUOTED $1500 FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR | 110.0%ODI 10400021 · 32,879 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND RADIO WERE DEFECTIVE. HE MENTIONED THAT THE PIXELS ON BOTH WERE MISSING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,879. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10438188MY COMPLAINT IS AGAINST MERCEDES-BENZ, USA FOR THEIR FAILURE TO INFORM ME OF THE SUBSTANTIVE DEFECTS AND RECALLS AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE OF THE 2006 MERCEDES C280; VIN [XXX]. ON APRIL 24, 2009, I ENGAGED IN A CONTRACT WITH MERCEDES BENZ FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE ABOVE 2006 C-280. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE SERIOUS DEFECTS ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS NEVER GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. HENCE, THE BUSINESS PRACTICE OF MERCEDES BENZ AND OR IT'S DEALERSHIP WAS DECEPTIVE. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THAT ANYONE… |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3%ODI 10083528WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE . PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10438188MY COMPLAINT IS AGAINST MERCEDES-BENZ, USA FOR THEIR FAILURE TO INFORM ME OF THE SUBSTANTIVE DEFECTS AND RECALLS AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE OF THE 2006 MERCEDES C280; VIN [XXX]. ON APRIL 24, 2009, I ENGAGED IN A CONTRACT WITH MERCEDES BENZ FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE ABOVE 2006 C-280. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE SERIOUS DEFECTS ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS NEVER GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. HENCE, THE BUSINESS PRACTICE OF MERCEDES BENZ AND OR IT'S DEALERSHIP WAS DECEPTIVE. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THAT ANYONE… |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 10159952 · 32,850 mi1ST, IN MAY 2006, I WAS PARKING MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ, CLK-430, INTO PARKING LOT AT 7-11 STORE. I PLACE THE SHIFTER INTO P (PARK). THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AT THIS TIME. I REMOVE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR RUNNING BACK OUT OF THE PARKING STALL AS IF IT WAS IN THE REVERSE GEAR. I PLACED MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR MOVEMENT. I PLACE THE SHIFTER BACK IN THE DRIVE LOCATION AND DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PLACE. AND PLACE THE SHIFTER BACK IN PARK AND AGAIN THE CAR START ROLLING BACKWARDS. ON THE SAME EVENING… | 110.0%ODI 10232784 · 24,000 miTRANSMISSION FAILURE. RUSTED AND CORRODED TRANS AT 24,000 MILES CAUSED BY FAULTY MERCEDES VALEO RADIATOR. MERCEDES OWN STAR BULLETIN TELLS DEALERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT MY DEALER DECIDED NOT TO CHECK IT OUT AND NOW MERCEDES AND DEALER ARE REFUSING TO HELP WHEN THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MANY OF THEIR MODELS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR | 114.3%ODI 10106935THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM ARM MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED FOR LEAKING FLUID, AND NOT CHANGING GEARS.*AK | 00.0%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. | 114.3%ODI 10101418THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT GRILL AND BUMPER WERE RIPPED OFF. THERE WAS DAMAGE ON EVERY SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY THE RIGHT REAR AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *NM *SC | 133.3%ODI 10438188MY COMPLAINT IS AGAINST MERCEDES-BENZ, USA FOR THEIR FAILURE TO INFORM ME OF THE SUBSTANTIVE DEFECTS AND RECALLS AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE OF THE 2006 MERCEDES C280; VIN [XXX]. ON APRIL 24, 2009, I ENGAGED IN A CONTRACT WITH MERCEDES BENZ FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE ABOVE 2006 C-280. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE SERIOUS DEFECTS ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS NEVER GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. HENCE, THE BUSINESS PRACTICE OF MERCEDES BENZ AND OR IT'S DEALERSHIP WAS DECEPTIVE. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THAT ANYONE… |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3%ODI 10163069 · 60,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WATER WAS SPILLED ON THE CONSOLE CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT IN THE CONSOLE WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 10558710 · 103,000 miI HAVE HAD SEAT BELT TROUBLE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS WEAK TO RETRACT. THAN 9 MONTHS LATER IT GAVE OUT ON ME. I LOOKED INTO IT ONLINE AND IT TURNS OUT ALMOST ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE 100,000 MILES. THERE ARE DOZENS OF FORUMS IN COMPLAINTS PLENTY OF PEOPLE SAYING THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM TO IN EACH. ITS A HAZARD THAT PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THESE CARS AND DECIDE THEY DON'T HAVE $500 TO BUY A SEAT BELT RETRACTOR PLUS $200 IN LABOR. ALSO IT OFTEN LEAVES NO WARNING THAT IT WON'T RETRACT. THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT ONE DAY AND S… | 114.3%ODI 10440867 · 111,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 10095870 · 10,000 miIN MOST PARKING LOTS, LOW CONCRETE "CURBS" ARE PLACED IN STALLS TO PREVENT CARS FROM PULLING TOO FAR FORWARD. TYPICAL CURBS ARE ABOUT SIX INCHES IN HEIGHT. WHEN PARKING IN MANY LOTS IT IS NECESSARY TO PULL A CAR FORWARD SO THE FRONT TIRES TOUCH (OR NEARLY TOUCH) THESE CURBS. OTHERWISE, THE BACK END OF THE CAR WILL BE TOO FAR OUT IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE 2001 MERCEDES CLK 430 IS PRONE TOWARD DAMAGE ON THESE CURBS WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING STALL. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE OF A LIP ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FRONT BUMPER… | 110.0%ODI 10190664 · 29,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 430. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE FRONT BUMPER WERE FAILING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS TO DETACH FROM THE BUMPER. THE DEALER DID NOT STATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 34,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Too few reports for a range | 17,900 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10155791 · 17,900 miWHILE USING THE CUP HOLDER ON MY 2004 MERCEDEZ BENZ CLK VIN [XXX] COFFEE SPILLED AND CAUSED THE RADIO AND A/C UNIT TO MALFUNCTION. THIS RESULTED IN ALMOST $2,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. THE CUP HOLDER IN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE RADIO AND A/C CONTROLS. I KNOW THAT MERCEDES HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH THE SLK MODELS WITH SPILLS CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION TO SHORT OUT. BASED ON THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER IS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT SPILLING WHEN FACED WITH A SUDDEN STOP OR A HOLE IN THE ROAD. I REQUESTED THE… |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | Too few reports for a range | 5,600 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10116614 · 5,600 miON MONDAY, APRIL 4TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CLK55 CONVERTIBLE TO MY OFFICE, GOING 55 MPH AND LOST ALL POWER. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR GOING AGAIN, WITH NO SUCCESS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN DRIVE A FEW MILES PER HOUR TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE TRANSMISSION ARE BROKEN. THE TORQUE CONVERTER PART HAS BEEN ORDERED FROM GERMANY, AND IT IS ON BACKORDER FOR THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN OTHER C… |
| Seat Belts | Too few reports for a range | 111,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10440867 · 111,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. |
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.
2004: 5 complaints · 2006: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 3 | 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 | Air Bags | Equipment | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | Seat Belts | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Tires | Tires:Sidewall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10106935THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM ARM MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED FOR LEAKING FLUID, AND NOT CHANGING GEARS.*AK | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10106935THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM ARM MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED FOR LEAKING FLUID, AND NOT CHANGING GEARS.*AK | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.