Model year record

2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class recalls & problems

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class has 2 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (3 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints5filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 9reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingJun 12, 2007

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V26300019,924 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Components: Engine and engine cooling; Suspension

Latches/locks/linkagesJun 9, 2004

Trunk lid › Lock

Recall 04V28500016,690 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION.
Risk: IF THE TRUNK LID IS MANUALLY LIFTED, IT MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF IT COMES DOWN WHILE SOMEONE IS REACHING INTO THE TRUNK.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH TRUNK LID SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES- BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Seat belts	3	3	3	3	12,000 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	2	2	2	2	—
Air bags	2	2	2	2	—
EquipmentElectrical	1	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	1	1	1	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	1	0	1	0	—
Steering	1	0	1	0	—
Suspension	1	0	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electronic stability control (esc)Fire
I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG. THE ABC OR ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED AND WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING, THE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK , SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE AND I NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE THICK SMOKE AND POOR VISIBILITY. I HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE THE CL55 TOWED TO MY MECHANIC MY MECHANIC, WHO SPECIALIZES IN HIGH END MERCEDES BENZ TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MERCEDES CL 55,65,600 MODELS FROM 2003-2006. MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE LATER MODELS. THE ORIGINAL STICKER PRICE OF THE CL MODEL IS ABOUT $120,000. MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE ABC SYSTEM ON THE AMG MODELS BUT DID NOT MAKE A FACTORY…
Aug 2, 2010 · 81,200 miles
Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCrashFire1 injury
TL*THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2003 MERCEDES CL55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JUNE 11,2006, THEY WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE( LIMOUSINE) AT 45 MPH. WHEN THE DRIVER DOWN SHIFTED, THE DRIVER DROVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE FRONT END OF THE MERCEDES WAS DESTROYED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER THE CRASH. THE FRONT OF THE LIMOUSINE WAS "SHEERED" OFF. THERE WERE THREE FATALITIES AND ONE INJURY. THE CONTACT WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND ADMITTED TO THE ICU. THE POLICE RESPONDED AND FILED A POLICE HOMICIDE CASE REPORT # 246/7/9-06. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Jun 11, 2006 · 15,000 miles
Air bagsCrashFire1 injury
2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55 LOW-SPEED (25-35MPH) HIGH-ACCELERATION HEAD-ON IMPACT WITH A LIMOUSINE (APPROX. 45MPH) WHERE THE CL55 DASH MOUNTED AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST, AND THE CL55'S INTEGRATED SEATBELT WORN BY THE PASSENGER AND SOLE SURVIVOR RESULTED IN THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT-BACK BY 45-DEGREES WITHOUT IMPOSING A NOTABLE INJURY TO THE PASSENGER'S RIGHT SHOULDER. DUE TO THE INSTANTANEOUS NATURE OF THIS INCIDENT THE DRIVER INSTINCTIVELY BRACED HIMSELF....ON THE ACCELERATOR BEFORE IMPACT. THE 516FTLBS OF TORQUE OF THE CL55 SPEARED THROUGH THE FRONT END OF THE LIMOUSINE SHEARING THE LIMO'S ENTIRE FRONT CLIP, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION OFF UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOLDING…
Jun 21, 2006 · 12,000 miles
Seat beltsCrashFire1 injury
1. EXITING A CURVE ON A WINDY ROAD AT APPROX. 30MPH, DRIVER APPLIED THROTTLE CAUSING AN AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT INTO A 516FTLB TORQUE LUNGE. WITH NO STEERING CONTROL IN 1-SECOND WE WERE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. DRIVER FOUGHT TO REGAIN CONTROL DURING SECOND NO. 2. THEN A LIMO BLEW THROUGH A STOP SIGN ON A MERGE LANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. BOTH DRIVER'S BRACED ON THEIR GAS PEDALS. 2. THE MERCEDES CL & SL CLASSES HAVE THE SAME FRONT SEATS WITH AN INTEGRATED SEAT BELT SYSTEM. SINCE IT WAS ONLY CONNECTED TO THE SEAT, THE SEAT FAILED WITHOUT EVEN A BRUISE TO MY RIGHT SHOULDER (BY OVER 30-40 DEGREES). I WAS LEFT AGAINST THE DASH BOARD (WITH MY SEATBELT ON) THROWING LIMBS AT MY SURVIVAL. TO ADD INSULT…
Jun 11, 2006 · 9,000 miles
Equipment › Electrical
VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A KEYLESS GO DEVICE. WHEN THIS DEVICE IS USED TO START THE VEHICLE IT IS NOT MOBILE. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, PUT IT INTO GEAR OR ACCELERATE. DEALERSHIP HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO TURN THE MOTOR OFF, AND FLAT BED THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE MODULE THAT OPERATES THIS DEVICE. THERE'S TSB ON THIS ISSUE. *AK *NM
Jun 5, 2004 · 8,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.