Mercedes Benz CL500 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file for the Mercedes Benz CL500, across 8 model years (1999–2006). The 2002 model year has the most complaints (12). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Mercedes Benz CL500 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CL500 year: 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2002 CL500: 12 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2004 CL500: 9 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2006 CL500: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2003 CL500: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1999 CL500: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2005 CL500: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes Benz CL500 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 18 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 15 | 6 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes Benz CL500 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 CL500 | 7 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2005 CL500 | 2 | 0 | — | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | |
| 2004 CL500 | 9 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2003 CL500 | 1 | 0 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2002 CL500 | 12 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 CL500 | 5 | 0 | — | Suspension | |
| 2000 CL500 | 6 | 1 | — | Suspension | |
| 1999 CL500 | 2 | 0 | — | Seat Belts |
More from Mercedes Benz: all Mercedes Benz models · Mercedes Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes Benz CL500 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2002 (12) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical CL500 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes Benz CL500?
Electrical System, with 18 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz CL500 have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.