2004 Mercedes Benz Clk500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (6) · Seat Belts (3) · Power Train (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz Clk500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2024-11-19 · campaign 24V874000 · 33,456 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V954000 · 131,653 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V918000 · 747,928 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Service bulletins (41)
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 41 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-27 · Unknown Or Other“after evaluation by garage it is concluded that there’s subframe damage to the vehicle …”
2018-01-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“strong gas smell from rear seat whenever gas filled up.…”
2017-12-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 84,000 mi“my car after fueling leaks a very strong fuel smell enters my car. the strong fuel vapor will remain until the tank gets below 3/4. it will be there whether it is in motion, stationary, or at idle. my entire garage will smell of fuel during this time when the tank is full. i know mercedes recalled the e class fuel tank because of this same issue. m…”
2016-07-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 83,000 mi“after filling fuel tank strong smell of gasoline. other complaints of this nature in your system. recall already issued for other model mercedes benz with same issue.…”
2015-11-17 · Seat Belts · 121,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz clk500. the contact stated that the seat belt failed to restrain when the brake pedal was engaged and the supplemental restraint system warning light remained illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure milea…”
2015-07-15 · Seat Belts · 102,666 mi“vehicle show an srs light issue on the dashboard, i took the vehicle many times to tyson's corner, va mercedez benz dealership to figure what was the problem, and the dealership was unable to find the issue. after a lot of investigation i found out it may be the seatbelt buckles, or the child recognition emulator which are giving and issue. if he s…”
2014-01-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 82,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz clk500. the contact stated that whenever he would refuel, there was a strong overwhelming fuel odor coming from inside and outside of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an dealer where tit was diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made …”
2013-04-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 68,000 mi“bought car in sept. 2012. started to notice fuel smell after fill ups. getting worse, and checked fuel sending unit on top of tank. puddle of fuel on top of sending unit. *tr…”
2013-03-19 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 70,000 mi“i smelled gasoline when my two cars were parked in the garage. this occurred only after filling the gas tanks (no topping off.) i thought it was my 2010 mbz but the dealer checked and found no problem. i had my 2004 mbz checked. the dealer told me i needed a new gas tank, because it was leaking. my car has 80k miles and looks new; garaged, ser…”
2012-09-12 · Seat Belts · 78,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes clk500. the contact stated that the driver's side seat belt failed to retract. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 78,000. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.