Model year record
2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class recalls & problems
The 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 14 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (5 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class.
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.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel | 5 | 59,650 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv) | 4 | 51,943 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Automatic transmission | 4 | 58,937 mi |
| StructureBody › Bumpers | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, otherStorage › Fuel gauge system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Electrical system
THE PIXELS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT AND YOU CAN NO LONGER TELL WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. I'VE BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR THEIR INSPECTION AND I WAS QUOTED $1500 FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
- Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system
FUEL GAUGE NOT READING CORRECT FUEL. AFTER FILLING TANK, FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY. AFTER APPROX 20 MILES OF DRIVING FUEL GAUGE MOVES TO FULL. FUEL GAUGE THEN CONTINUES TO READ INACCURATE MEASUREMENTS. I AM USING THE MILEAGE TO KNOW WHEN TO REFUEL. *TR
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
ENGINE STALLING AND FAILURE TO START DUE TO CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CPS) FAILURE. CAR IS A 2001 CLK430 WITH APPROX 60,000 MILES. *TR
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
LEDS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAULTY. ACCIDENT FREE VEHICLE. *TR
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430 IS FAULTY. I CANNOT READ THE GEAR INDICATOR SINCE THE LED LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. NOT KNOWING WHAT GEAR I AM IN CAN CAUSE AN ERROR WHILE DRIVING THAT CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS WORKING FINE UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHERE LED STARTED TO FAIL. GEAR INDICATOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS NO LONGER READABLE. THIS IS A DRIVING SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PIXELS IN THE GEAR SELECTOR, TEMPERATURE AND CLOCK SECTION DO NOT LIGHT UP. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT GEAR THE CAR IS IN, AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. THE "P" AND "R" ARE DIFFICULT TO DISTINGUISH. THIS CAR HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, AND THE NECESSITY TO IDENTIFY WHICH GEAR THE CAR IS IN BY "FEEL" IS DANGEROUS. *TR
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 WILL FREQUENTLY BECOME STUCK IN ONLY ONE GEAR. MOST OFTEN 3RD GEAR, BUT SOMETIMES 2ND. THIS IS A TERRIFYING SITUATION FOR ME, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC, AS THE AUTOMOBILE DOES NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP IN 3RD GEAR AND ABRUPTLY SLOWS WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR IN 2ND. 2ND GEAR ALSO LIMITS THE SPEED OF THE CAR SIGNIFICANTLY AND HAS CAUSED ME TO BE THE TRAFFIC SLOWDOWN AT RUSH HOUR ON MANY OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS, AS I CANNOT GET THE CAR OUT OF A BUSY INTERSECTION QUICKLY OR CHANGE LANES TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR AND AM AFRAID THAT A 3RD GEAR START OR A 2ND GEAR ABRUPT…
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
DASH LED'S ARE FAILING CAUSING THE DRIVE INDICATOR TO NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. WHEN I PLACE IT IN GEAR BECAUSE THE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AS A BAD CONNECTION I CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR I AM IN. ALSO THE SAME LED'S FOR THE CLOCK AND TEMP ARE FAILING IN THE SAME UNIT. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONClosed
THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE COST OF REPLACING THE CONTAMINATED ELECTRONIC SELECTOR MODULE.SIMILARLY, IN PETITIONER?S CASE SHE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE SAFETY STOPPED AFTER THE LIQUID SPILLAGE.THE PETITIONER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING…
- SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT DOWNClosed