2002 Mercedes Benz Clk320 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel (4) · Electrical System (2) · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/Devices (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Clk320 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 (44)
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 44 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-10-26 · Service Brakes · 173,000 mi“we had a brake booster vacuum line that connects to the aluminum intake with a plastic fitting on a 2002 mercedes clk320 (173k miles) that got brittle and broke. thankfully no one was injured or killed. i'm an ex-mechanic and have never seen plastic fitting used for the vacuum line to the brake booster on the engine. over time this will get brittle…”
2016-02-03 · Structure:body · 255,000 mi“there is too much rust on the vehicle! car has never been in any accidents & has been washed & waxed regularly. supposedly this is a very common issue with these cars which is disappointing. this poses a safety issue as if the vehicle is involved in a collision, the structural integrity is highly diminished due to the corrosion. what is even more s…”
2015-03-18 · Steering · 98,000 mi“while on my way to work i stop to get gas. i get in my car to leave and key will not turn left or right. also steering wheel was locked. i was stranded and had car towed the mb dealership. they said first i have to buy new key before they do anything which cost me $380. got new key and that wasn't the problem. then they said my eis needs to be repl…”
2009-04-24 · Electrical System · 84,000 mi“cluster recall for mb clk 430 2002 w208 comments: dear nhtsa rep., i own a 2002 mercedes benz clk 320 the vin# is:________. my concern is over its faulty display readouts that i hear many other owners are experiencing. the safety concern is that the left half of the display blank and it is impossible to read. it's hazardous as i have to squint to r…”
2008-06-17 · Vehicle Speed Control · 59,000 mi“i was driving up the mountain home ,the gas pedal gave out. i set the cruise control on and drove an hour home. when i got home i looked under the hood and came to see that the throttle cable had came detached. the car only has 59,000 miles on it. this is the first time it has happened to me. i called mercedes-benz customer care number to see if th…”
2008-05-28 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 61,000 mi“2002 mercedes benz 430 clk dash board information lights (led pixels) are dimming and going dark, thereby eliminating the ability to see driving data (e.g. speed, temperature, etc.). dealer states this problem is quite common (anecdotal information from the internet confirms this), and repair will cost approximately $1,500. *tr…”
2008-01-28 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel“instrument cluster malfunctions. *tr…”
2007-09-14 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 55,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz clk320. the contact stated that the digital instrument panel was dimming on the driver side of the vehicle. as time progresses, the panel becomes more dim. the dealer stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the current mileage was 60,000 and failure mileage was 55,000.…”
2007-08-09 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 54,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes clk320. the lights for the gear indicator on the instrument panel failed. the dealer stated that he would he was responsible for the cost of the repair. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 54,000, and the current mileage is 61,000.…”
2007-03-19 · Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk · 19,000 mi · 🔥 fire“i purchased a certified pre-owned 2002 mercedes benz clk320. within the first month of purchase i began to have problems with the amplifier which was later discovered after being replaced 3 times getting wet whenever the car became wet. resulting in a crackling and popping sound ultimately leading to complete failure of the audio system. after co…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.