2006 Mercedes Benz Cls500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (21) · Fuel/Propulsion System (11) · Fuel System, Gasoline (10)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
49 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
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 2021-03-19 · campaign 21V196000 · 11,356 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2007 C350, C230, C280, CLK350, E320CDI, E350 Wagon, E350, 2006 C55 AMG, CLK500, CLS500, CLS55 AMG, E500 Wagon, E500, E55 AMG, 2007 CLK550, CLS550, CLS63 AMG, E550, E63 AMG, and E63 Wagon AMG vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
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. Owner letters were mailed May 7, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040012.
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 (73)
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 73 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-10-28 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 172,989 mi“the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz cls500. the contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph, the messages "reduced braking pressure, and “service required" was displayed and the vehicle experienced a loss in braking power. the contact was able to pull the vehicle over and proceed to inspect the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to an independe…”
2024-09-18 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 131,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz cls500. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the abs and esc warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic stability control module. the contact was informed that the part had been discontinued. the vehicle was not repaired. the…”
2024-02-29 · Service Brakes · 99,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz cls500. the contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake pedal failed to depress properly. there was a message to “stop” displayed on the instrument panel. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the tls, but the failure recurred. the contact called the local dealer,…”
2021-02-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System“very strong gas smell inside the car and outside the car. gas leaking on the floor from gas tank area.…”
2020-07-31 · Service Brakes · 170,000 mi“brakes keep going out. brake pedal going to the floor. esp light comes on and car throttling to a slow creep even on the highway. extremely dangerous for me and my wife and child.…”
2020-06-25 · Visibility“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz cls500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v918000(visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. mercedes-benz of sacramento (1810 howe ave, sacramento, ca 95825, (888) 479-0451) was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available for the rec…”
2020-03-08 · Service Brakes · 129,000 mi“i was exiting the highway when i began to push on the break pedal it went all the way the the floor. good thing it was a little traffic because i was going about 40 mph so i was able to turn off the highway in the grass and stop. but this is a major safety issue and this could have well ended bad for me. without warning the brakes just stopped work…”
2019-09-25 · Service Brakes · 133,726 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz cls500. while driving 15 mph, the 'depress brake pedal stop vehicle' warning indicator illuminated. the brake pedal was depressed all the way to the floorboard, but the vehicle did not stop. the vehicle coasted until it came to a complete stop. the vehicle was restarted and was able to function normally. me…”
2019-07-30 · Wheels · 141,849 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes-benz cls500c. the contact stated that when it rained, it felt as if the vehicle would flip over. the contact felt that the vehicle needed an alignment and stated that the tire tread was worn. the contact drove the vehicle to prestige auto mall (1501 vernon odom blvd, akron, ohio, 44320, (330) 634-9999), but was …”
2019-04-07 · Suspension · 100,000 mi“the mercedes benz cls500 has a defective part all of the air struts suspension are dropped the mercedes benz airmatic are known for going bad it's a way that mercedes can charge for more work to customers they sell you a car that will go bad not if but when will go bad this is clearly needs to be a recall mercedes benz needs to stand by their…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.