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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2001–2005

Mercedes-Benz CL600 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 31 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz CL600, covering model years 2001 to 2005. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (14), and Suspension is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mercedes-Benz CL600 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 1 recall campaign on file
  • 31 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (2001–2005)
  • most complaints: 2001 (14 for that model year)
  • top component: Suspension (17 complaints)
  • latest recall 04V228000 (reported May 13, 2004)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 4 complaints reporting a fire (12.9%)
  • 2 complaints reporting an injury (6.5%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mercedes-Benz CL600 complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 14 of 31, or 45.2%. Next come 2002 (13) and 2003 (2). The fewest are for 2005, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercedes-Benz CL600 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2001–2005Column chart of 31 complaints across 5 model years. The highest is 2001 with 14. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2001: 14 complaints1420012002: 13 complaints1320022003: 2 complaints220032004: 1 complaint120042005: 1 complaint12005
Mercedes-Benz CL600 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercedes-Benz CL600 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2001140400
2002130020
200320000
200410000
200510000
All model years310420

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mercedes-Benz CL600 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Suspension is the component named most often, in 17 complaints (54.8% of all 31), followed by Electrical System (5) and Engine and Engine Cooling (5).

Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz CL600 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz CL600 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Suspension1754.8%
Electrical System516.1%
Engine and Engine Cooling516.1%
Exterior Lighting39.7%
Engine26.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System26.5%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic26.5%
Structure26.5%
Visibility26.5%
Air Bags13.2%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)13.2%
Fuel System, Gasoline13.2%
Latches/Locks/Linkages13.2%
Service Brakes13.2%
Steering13.2%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mercedes-Benz CL600 recalls

1 campaign · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name CL600, newest first. The only campaign, 04V228000, covers model years 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

  • 1 recall campaign
Mercedes-Benz CL600 recall campaigns covering each model year
2001: 1 campaign2002: 1 campaign2003: 1 campaign2004: 1 campaign

  1. NHTSA campaign 04V228000

    Reported

    Suspension

    Model years 2001–2004

    On certain passenger vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high-pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to heat and humidity. Over time, corrosion may deteriorate the inner steel portions of the hose.

    Consequence:
    This may result in abc hydraulic fluid leakage. Under some circumstances, leaking hydraulic fluid may come in contact with hot engine components and lead to a possibility of fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install new, corrosion resistant abc high-pressure distribution hoses. The recall began August 31, 2004. Owners should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mercedes-Benz CL600 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz CL600 have?

NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall campaign for the Mercedes-Benz CL600, covering model years 2001 to 2005. The campaign, 04V228000, was reported on May 13, 2004 and is filed under “Suspension”.

Which Mercedes-Benz CL600 model year has the most complaints?

The 2001 model year, with 14 of the 31 complaints in NHTSA’s file (45.2%). The next are 2002 (13) and 2003 (2). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mercedes-Benz CL600 complaint?

Suspension is the component named most often: 17 complaints, or 54.8% of all 31. Electrical System (5) and Engine and Engine Cooling (5) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mercedes-Benz CL600?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

How many Mercedes-Benz CL600 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 31 complaints, 0 report a crash, 4 a fire, 2 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mercedes-Benz models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder with every Mercedes-Benz model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mercedes-Benz models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.