2004 Mercedes Benz Cl500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (4) · Electrical System (2) · Service Brakes (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
2020-07-02 · Service Brakes · 127,600 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz cl500. the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle hesitated momentarily to shift from 1st to 2nd gear. the contact stated that the failure was most evident while the vehicle was being driven at speeds under 40 mph. additionally, the instrument …”
2019-07-23 · Suspension“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz cl500. when the vehicle was started, the srs indicator illuminated. the contact stated that the front driver's side of the vehicle was tilted and low. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the suspension was faulty. the technician also diagnosed that the front line pump and str…”
2016-09-30 · Suspension · 93,000 mi“i purchased this car june 2016. enroute to vacation, in early august, the driver side electrical panel stopped operating. mid-way to vacation, while stopping for gas the instrument panel when completely dark. i was unable to gauge how much gas, speed, etc., also at that time while sitting in the car, the jumped as if someone hit the car. later…”
2016-04-30 · Electrical System · 128,762 mi“takata recall i bought my 04 cl500 benz in april of 2015, after a few month i noticed the cluster flickering then soon after the back light went out but gages still working then today while driving in the city a poof of smoke hit me in the face i figured something was on fire so i pulled over opened all my doors and hood but no flames just smoke …”
2016-03-30 · Suspension · 67,000 mi“recall #1-abc pump leak. at 67,000 miles in march 2013, the abc pump broke and leaked fluid all over the engine compartment, and caused the suspension to collapse. had the necessary repairs made at the cost of $3500 without knowledge of a safety recall for this issue. recall #2-instrument cluster failure-at 87,000 miles in march 2016, the i…”
2016-03-29 · Suspension · 65,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz cl500. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the front end of the vehicle lowered independently and the instrument panel cluster failed. the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 07v263000 (engine and engine cooling , suspension) and 06v028000 (interior lighting). the vehi…”
2015-10-20 · Electrical System · 120,000 mi“i was driving to the store going about 45mph and all the sudden my instrument cluster completely went out and this is my daily driver so now im driving with no fuel level speed or how hot my engine is getting i called mercedes and they said my vin was not in the recall but it should not matter!! it has the same problem as the other ones. but they r…”
2015-09-08 · Engine · 124,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owned a 2004 mercedes benz cl500. the contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the front end caught fire. the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. there was a fire report and it was determined that the fire started from the under the hood of the vehicle. no injuries were reported. the vehicle was destroyed. the m…”
2015-03-07 · Exterior Lighting · 154,930 mi“while i was driving hwy 1 to monterey ca. cluster dash lights blacked out. now don't know how fast i'm going down the road and can see information from it. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.