2002 Mercedes Benz Cl500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (3) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel (3) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Cl500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (33)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 33 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-04-20 · Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection“the main information center they notifies you of 99% of what is going on with the car stopped working completely. can’t tell how fast the car is moving or the rpm this also included the entire instrument cluster, in addition to that the battery and electric system just quits even though the connections are tight. the battery also drains quic…”
2016-05-27 · Electrical System“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, the instrument panel failed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vin was not include…”
2016-04-04 · Suspension · 130 mi“i have a mercedes cl500 while driving the car the lights in the speedometer everything went out i had to check it when i got home i was able to get speedometer working again gas gauge by replacing fuse the lights in the background are still not working also i have an issue with the vehicle active body control i have a leak suspension goes all the w…”
2016-03-10 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 122,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the instrument panel failed to illuminate. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 122,000. the vin was not available. …”
2016-01-14 · Suspension · 122,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front of the vehicle was abnormally lowering to the ground. the failure recurred several times. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic power steering needed to be replaced. the vehicle was…”
2015-08-01 · Exterior Lighting · 119,981 mi“i was driving down the highway at night and it was raining had the wipers and the high beams on. then all of sudden the high beans went out and the dash went black black causing limited visibility. this is the reason i'm filing a complaint because it almost caused a accident with the light dimming and the cluster going blank.…”
2015-07-22 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 137,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. while driving highway speeds, the instrument panel lights dimmed until they completely failed. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact was made aware of nhtsa campaign number: 06v028000 (interior lighting). the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and notified the contact that th…”
2015-06-02 · Power Train · 77,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. the contact turned the ignition to the on position, but the vehicle failed to shift out of park. after numerous failed attempts, the vehicle shifted out of the park position. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximate…”
2015-02-05 · Engine · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. while driving 50 mph, smoke appeared near the rear of the vehicle. the contact continued to drive and the active body control (abc) warning light illuminated. the failure recurred multiple times. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the technician diagnosed that the abc high pressure distribution hos…”
2015-01-08 · Suspension · 80,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, smoke started to emit from the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was fluid leaking from the active body control module. the contact was a certified mechanic who replaced an o-ring.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.