2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other CLS550 years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550. That ranks 3rd out of 13 CLS550 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (5 complaints, 29%), typically at around 42,500 miles. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 17owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 29% | 42,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 18% | 89,995 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 18% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 12% | 82,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 12% | 146,750 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 6% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 6% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 6% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 6% | 98,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Problem: 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
Problem: 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
Problem: 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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of rear lighting assembly (EA13008) — opened Dec 20, 2013, closed May 12, 2014, led to recall 14V177000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The failed component of the car was the drivers side fuel transfer pump. After noticing the faint smell of gas in my car i checked under the rear driver side passenger seat. I was shocked to find more than 16 fluid ounces of gas floating freely around the well of the gas pump.the insulation under…
I bought a 2008 mercedes cls and have had it for a while now and with no warning it has started making a banging noise while idling. It idles very rough and shakes my car. I'm unable to drive it safely at this point. The engine is also mimicking symptoms of an idler gear/ balance shaft wearing down…
I see there was a recall on instrument clusters on my vehicle in 2001. My instrument cluster is completely black and I canât see speed or any thing at night. You cant replace the bulb or cluster unless mercedes reprogram it which the price is rediculous. I did some research and seen that Mercedes…
My doors will open without the keyfob being in close proximity to the vehicle. My car has been stolen d/t this feature. Also the electrical lighting system malfunctions causing dimmer lights especially when driving at night
My airbags deployed after on day of driving home from a day babysitting my niece and nephew i got home parked my car in the garage and that whole night from 11 at night untill about 330 in the morning the loudest sound i've ever herd the equivalent of a bomb detonation explosion went off and im 10…
Other Mercedes Benz CLS550 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 CLS550 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 CLS550 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 CLS550 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 CLS550 | 1 | 4 |
| 2014 CLS550 | 10 | 4 |
| 2013 CLS550 | 4 | 3 |
| 2012 CLS550 | 23 | 3 |
| 2011 CLS550 | 4 | 3 |
| 2010 CLS550 | 1 | 3 |
| 2009 CLS550 | 4 | 3 |
| 2008 | 17 | 3 |
| 2007 CLS550 | 35 | 4 |
| 2006 CLS550 | 7 | 1 |
See all Mercedes Benz CLS550 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 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550?
Owners most often report fuel/propulsion system, air bags, electrical system problems. The top one, fuel/propulsion system, accounts for 5 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CLS550 model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.