2000 Mercedes Benz CLK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
86,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 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
Suspension 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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 1 |
Suspension: 1; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm: 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
2012: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension 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 10461862 · 2012-06-15 (June 15, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POT HOLE AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 07/02/12 *BF …
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461862 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 | 1998 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2100.0%ODI 10351706 · 45,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AND CLOCK GAUGES WERE DEFECTIVE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE ENTIRE NUMBERS OF THE TEMPERATURE AND CLOCK READINGS. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE TEMPERATURE WAS 85 DEGREES, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD ONLY DISPLAY THE 5. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,500. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10483657 · 76,897 miRIGHT FRONT XENON HEADLAMP BALLAST FAILED CAUSING HEADLAMP TO NOT ILLUMINATE, AFTER THIS PART WAS REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER THE XENON IGNITER FAILED THUS CAUSING HEADLAMP TO NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER NOW THE LEFT HEADLAMP HAS FAILED. THE BALLAST HAS NOW FAILED ON THIS LIGHT AS WELL. THE HEADLAMPS ARE SO UNRELIABLE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10568245 · 51,000 miTHE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRUNK SIMPLY FELL OFF. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE THAT SIMPLY JUST WENT AHEAD AND GOT IT FIXED WITHOUT POSTING IT. THIS IS A DEFECT WHERE THE RED LENS SEPARATES FROM THE LIGHT HOUSING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER SHOWS RED WHEN BRAKING. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTINUES TO RE-OCCUR EACH TIME IT IS REPLACED AT A COST OF $352.50 EACH TIME, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHI… |
| Exterior Lighting | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2100.0%ODI 10438014 · 104,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES CLK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULB BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. | 1100.0%ODI 10483657 · 76,897 miRIGHT FRONT XENON HEADLAMP BALLAST FAILED CAUSING HEADLAMP TO NOT ILLUMINATE, AFTER THIS PART WAS REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER THE XENON IGNITER FAILED THUS CAUSING HEADLAMP TO NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER NOW THE LEFT HEADLAMP HAS FAILED. THE BALLAST HAS NOW FAILED ON THIS LIGHT AS WELL. THE HEADLAMPS ARE SO UNRELIABLE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10568245 · 51,000 miTHE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRUNK SIMPLY FELL OFF. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE THAT SIMPLY JUST WENT AHEAD AND GOT IT FIXED WITHOUT POSTING IT. THIS IS A DEFECT WHERE THE RED LENS SEPARATES FROM THE LIGHT HOUSING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER SHOWS RED WHEN BRAKING. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONTINUES TO RE-OCCUR EACH TIME IT IS REPLACED AT A COST OF $352.50 EACH TIME, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHI… |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10556256 · 105,000 miOUR 2006 MERCEDES CLK 500 STARTED TO SMELL LIKE GAS RIGHT AFTER FILLING IT UP AND WOULD CONTINUE TO SMELL UNTIL ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK. AFTER REMOVING THE REAR SEAT AND SERVICE COVER I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS STANDING GASOLINE ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. *TR | 266.7%ODI 10547225 · 15,889 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ CLK550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,889. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats | 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 10487608 · 72,000 miWE BOUGHT THIS CAR AS-IS IN OCTOBER OF 2011. AT THAT TIME IT HAD 67,500 MILES ON IT. IN ABOUT MARCH OF 2012 WE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE THREE MAJOR THINGS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY ALL APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL. THE WINDSHIELD SPRAY DID NOT FUNCTION EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FULL OF LIQUID. WE WIGGLED THE ELECTRICAL PLUG AND CHANGED THE FUSE AND IT WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THE NEXT THING WAS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT DID NOT WORK AND STILL DOES NOT. WE CANNOT FIND THE FUSE FOR THAT ONE. THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CONTROL ON THE DO… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10345740 · 25,257 miI HAVE SENT A COMMUNICATION TO MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC ON 7/15/2010, NEXT DAY AFTER MY INJURY FROM ONE OF THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC FEATURE (HEAD REST AUTOMATICALLY THRUSTS DOWN WHEN THE LEVER IS LIFTED AND SEAT MOVES FORWARD). IT'S A 2 DOOR SPORTS VEHICLE, SO IT WILL BE ALWAYS THE ACTION OF THE CONSUMER/VEHICLE OWNER TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE BACK SEATS. ON 7/14/2010 @ AROUND 1900: MY RIGHT ARM FLESH/SKIN GOT WEDGED/MANGLED INTO THE HEAD REST 'STEEL' OF THE CAR PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE HEAD- REST-STEEL AUTOMATICALLY RAMMED/THRUST/PUSH LOWER CONTINUOUS… |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 133.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10342110 · 126,768 miAFTER THE 2001 CLK 430 DISPLAYED SEVERAL TIMES THE ABS ALERT AND ESC ALERT THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND COMPLETELY STOP. WE HAVE HAD THE COMPLETE BRAKE AND TIRE SYSTEM REPLACE FROM CALIPERS TO RIMS. WE ARE NOW BEING TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE YAW RATE SENSOR WHICH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. *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. | 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 And Engine Cooling | 133.3%ODI 10074697 · 94,850 miSUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO DISINTEGRATION OF HARMONIC BALANCER. NEAR ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED HARMONIC BALANCER AND OTHER DAMAGED PARTS INCLUDING OIL PAN.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 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 And Engine Cooling:Engine | 133.3%ODI 10131349 · 46,576 miDT: CONTACT STATED THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAD TO BE REPLACED . THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE DID NOT RECEIVE THIS IN THE MAIL. THE HARMONIC BALANCER CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO NOT HAVE STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | Too few reports for a range | 86,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10461862 · 86,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POT HOLE AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 07/02/12 *BF … |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | Too few reports for a range | 86,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10461862 · 86,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POT HOLE AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 07/02/12 *BF … |
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.
2007: 0 complaints · 2008: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 4 | 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 | Suspension | Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | — | 1ODI 10461862 · 86,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POT HOLE AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 07/02/12 *BF … |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 1ODI 10461862 · 86,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POT HOLE AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY REPAIR SHOP. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 07/02/12 *BF … | — |
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.