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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1998–2008

Mercedes-Benz CLK recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 19 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz CLK, covering model years 1998 to 2008. The 2008 model year drew the most complaints (4), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

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

Decode your Mercedes-Benz CLK VIN

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

  • 1 recall campaign on file
  • 19 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 9 model years with data (1998–2008)
  • most complaints: 2008 (4 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (5 complaints)
  • latest recall 08V303000 (reported Jul 7, 2008)
  • 1 complaint reporting a crash (5.3%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (5.3%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mercedes-Benz CLK complaints by model year

9 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2008 model year has the most complaints: 4 of 19, or 21.1%. Next come 1998 (3) and 2007 (3). The fewest are for 2006, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercedes-Benz CLK owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1998–2008Column chart of 19 complaints across 11 model years. The highest is 2008 with 4. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1998: 3 complaints319981999: 0 complaints19992000: 1 complaint120002001: 2 complaints220012002: 2 complaints220022003: 2 complaints220032004: 0 complaints20042005: 1 complaint120052006: 1 complaint120062007: 3 complaints320072008: 4 complaints42008
Mercedes-Benz CLK complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercedes-Benz CLK complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199830000
200010000
200120000
200220000
200320000
200510000
200610000
200730000
200841010
All model years191010

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

Most-reported Mercedes-Benz CLK components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 5 complaints (26.3% of all 19), followed by Exterior Lighting (4) and Fuel/Propulsion System (3).

Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz CLK complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz CLK complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System526.3%
Exterior Lighting421.1%
Fuel/Propulsion System315.8%
Engine and Engine Cooling210.5%
Power Train210.5%
Seats210.5%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)15.3%
Equipment15.3%
Latches/Locks/Linkages15.3%
Service Brakes15.3%
Service Brakes, Air15.3%
Service Brakes, Electric15.3%
Suspension15.3%
Unknown or Other15.3%
Visibility/Wiper15.3%

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 CLK recalls

1 campaign · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name CLK, newest first. The only campaign, 08V303000, covers model years 2007 and 2008.

  • 1 recall campaign
Mercedes-Benz CLK recall campaigns covering each model year
2007: 1 campaign2008: 1 campaign

  1. NHTSA campaign 08V303000

    Reported

    Electrical System

    Model years 2007–2008

    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.

    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 CLK questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz CLK have?

NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall campaign for the Mercedes-Benz CLK, covering model years 1998 to 2008. The campaign, 08V303000, was reported on July 7, 2008 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 2007 and 2008 model years are covered by the most campaigns (1 each).

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

The 2008 model year, with 4 of the 19 complaints in NHTSA’s file (21.1%). The next are 1998 (3) and 2007 (3). 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 CLK complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 5 complaints, or 26.3% of all 19. Exterior Lighting (4) and Fuel/Propulsion System (3) 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 CLK?

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 CLK complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 19 complaints, 1 report a crash, 0 a fire, 1 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.