2003 Mercedes Benz Clk Class problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Tires:sidewall (1) · Tires (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Clk Class 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 (6)
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.
Power Train 2014-06-30 · LI27.60-P-059296 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
selector lever blocks in position "p" (brake applied)
Equipment:electrical:anti-Theft Devices 2014-06-20 · LI68.05-P-059193 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
sentex gate operator with clik card remote not compatible with homelink
Electrical System 2013-02-22 · LI83.00-P-052510 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
malfunctions of various control units and/or on-board power supply problems caused by water in the control unit tray under the driver/front passenger seat (dislocated, pinched or leaking condensation hose)
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2008-03-28 · PB 42-45-98 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
model 203 (c) series from production 8/1/01 to 2/1/03 and model 209 (clk) series up to production 2/1/03; esp visit workshop with fault code c1185. *pe
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2004-04-01 · 2003110006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
installation of wiring harness adapter for engine cooling fan malfunction. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2002-12-02 · 070021D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine ticking (piston slap) noise complaints when accelerating between 1200 and 3000 rpm. models e500, sl500, clk500 my2003. *tt
What owners report
2014-01-06 · Seat Belts · 103,000 mi“i have had seat belt trouble. when i first bought the car it was weak to retract. than 9 months later it gave out on me. i looked into it online and it turns out almost all these vehicles have this problem before 100,000 miles. there are dozens of forums in complaints plenty of people saying they have the problem to in each. its a hazard that peopl…”
2011-05-11 · Electrical System · 32,879 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz clk430. the contact stated that the speedometer and radio were defective. he mentioned that the pixels on both were missing. the dealer was contacted who stated that the instrument cluster would need to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the problem and the vehicle was not repaired. the fai…”
2008-08-29 · Steering · 57,528 mi · 🔥 fire“tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz clk 500. while driving approximately 10 mph, the contact noticed flames underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was completely destroyed and two other vehicles were moderately damaged by the flames. he noticed excessive power steering fluid on the ground where the vehicle was located. a police officer stated…”
2008-06-30 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 24,000 mi“transmission failure. rusted and corroded trans at 24,000 miles caused by faulty mercedes valeo radiator. mercedes own star bulletin tells dealers about this issue but my dealer decided not to check it out and now mercedes and dealer are refusing to help when this is a known problem on many of their models and should be a recall. *tr…”
2007-05-14 · Structure:body:bumpers · 29,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz clk 430. the contact noticed that the brackets that hold the front bumper were failing. the failure caused the turn signal lights to detach from the bumper. the dealer did not state the cause of the failure. the current mileage is 34,000 and failure mileage was 29,000.…”
2007-03-02 · Tires · 72,000 mi“tl*- the contact stated that the 2003 mercedes clk 500, had a blowout on the rear passenger tire. this happened on a cold clear day while driving at 65 mph. he tire dealership informed her that there was nail in the tire, but not in the section of the blowout. the tire was a bridgestone potenza. the tire was purchased 21/2 months ago. this blo…”
2004-08-24 · Tires:sidewall · 8,000 mi“while driving 60 mph front driver side tire blew out. no impact reported. then, six months later the same tire blew out again. *ak…”
2004-06-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 21,000 mi · 💥 crash“while making a left turn to pull into the garage, the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high speed. the consumer's foot was on the brake pedal when this occurred. the consumer applied excessive force to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from accelerating, but it failed to do so. the vehicle stopped accelerating when it smashed into the garag…”
2003-10-11 · Exterior Lighting:headlights“new hid car lights are to bright. these new lights have the same effect as having high beams on all the time. hid lights blind oncoming drivers. *la…”
2002-09-13 · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift · 1,100 mi“when the consumer jacked up the vehicle, the jack failed to remain sturdy and the vehicle had fell to the ground. nlm scc…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.