2003 Mercedes Benz CLK Class Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other CLK Class years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 5 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK Class. That ranks 2nd out of 5 CLK Class model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is tires (2 complaints, 20%), typically at around 40,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
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- 10owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK Class problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 2 | 20% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 10% | 32,879 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 10% | 1,100 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 10% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 10% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 10% | 57,528 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 10% | 29,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 10% | 21,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Mercedes Benz CLK Class recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system
Problem: Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor may not be displayed in the instrument cluster; (3) the obd system may cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly; and, (4) the speedometer may be out of tolerance.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
Fix: Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Other Mercedes Benz CLK Class years
← 2001 CLK Class · 2004 CLK Class →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 CLK Class | 3 | 1 |
| 2004 CLK Class | 7 | 2 |
| 2003 | 10 | 1 |
| 2001 CLK Class | 14 | 0 |
| 2000 CLK Class | 1 | 0 |
See all Mercedes Benz CLK Class problems by year, every Mercedes Benz model, or the Mercedes Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK Class?
Owners most often report tires, electrical system, equipment problems. The top one, tires, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK Class?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK Class a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CLK Class model years, the 2003 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.