Model year record

2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 recalls & problems

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 has 3 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (3 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints18filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

VisibilityNov 19, 2024

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 24V87400033,456 vehicles

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.

VisibilityDec 23, 2022

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 22V954000131,653 vehicles

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.

VisibilityDec 20, 2019

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 19V918000747,928 vehicles

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.

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.

Fuel economy

CLK500

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

CLK500 (Cabriolet)

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SteeringRack and pinion; Rack and pinion › Rack	3	0	788 mi
Tires	3	2	—
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer	3	0	113,760 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	3	0	—
Air bags	2	0	—
Exterior lighting	2	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine	1	0	—
Seats	1	0	—
Power train	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasoline	1	0	—
Seat belts	1	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK500. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 147,000.
Aug 29, 2025 · 147,000 miles
Seat belts
The driver side seat belt. The seat belt won't retract. Yes, the seat belt is available for inspection upon request. The driver side seat belt is useless, because there is no tension in restrain your body from moving. No, the dealer will not fix the issue. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership. No warning lamps, messages, etc... prior to the driver side seat belt failed.
Jan 1, 2020
Tires1 injury
Tire size: 245/40/17 Had a blowout without any warning, causing me to hit the center console and mirror receiving cuts and bruises. Immediately was pulled to the side of the road. When I got out to see what had happened, the rubber separated from the tire, which knocked off the back end of my car, scraped the entire passenger side of the car, knocking off the door handle and unclear as to what it damaged underneath my car. I have filed a complaint with the company, dealt with a Jesse Han and contacted the CEO Darren Thomas in regards to repairing the damage done. This has gone on since June and they keep giving me the run around. There are multiple problems with Sumitomo tires and the…
Jun 27, 2023
Tires1 injury
While driving at 60mph on the a highway, without warning the passenger rear tire had a blowout. I immediately pulled off the road and when looking to see what happened, clearly seen was the rubber from the tire completely separated from the tire, causing major damage to my car. The rubber that came unattached ripped the passenger door handle off, scratched up the entire passenger side of my car, ripped off the passenger rear bumper and underneath damage as well. When taking the tire to try and get replaced, the manager of Walmart told me this was definitely a tire manufacturer defect and I should seek for the manufacturer to cover all damage due to this defect. I have filed a complaint with…
Jun 24, 2023
Exterior lighting
LOW BEAM IS OUT, DISCOVERED THAT ON BOTH SIDES ALL THE HEADLIGHT WIRES HAVE LOST ALL THE INSULATION. PICTURES CAN BE TEXTED.
Sep 29, 2020 · 123,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
GAS TANK LEAKS, CAR IN MOTON IN THE STREET
Oct 1, 2018
Fuel/propulsion system
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL ALL AROUND THE AUTOMOBILE. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THE CEL WILL COME ON WITH CODE P0456. A SMOKE TEST OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK SHOWED THERE WAS A LEAK. PART NO: W0133-2075480. THIS PART IS THE SAME DESIGN AS WHAT IS ON THE CLS. THIS SAME FUEL SMELL ISSUE IS ON THE E CLASS AND CLS CLASS AND A WARRANTY EXTENSION HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 15 YEARS BUT NOTHING FOR THE CLK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH HEAT AND FUEL AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MERCEDES NA . AFTER DISCUSSING WITH MERCEDES THEIR STANCE IS THIS IS A NORMAL WARE ITEM. I DO NOT BUY IT.
Jun 1, 2018 · 95,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
I'VE STARTED NOTICING A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AFTER FILLING UP THE CAR. THE GAS FILL DOOR IS ON PASSENGER SIDE. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB, IT'S COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS FILED FOR THE S CLASS AND E CLASS MODELS OF MERCEDES THAT WERE HAVING THIS SAME GAS FUMES ISSUE AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. MERCEDES OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF UP TO 15 ADDITIONAL YEARS FOR THE AFFECTED CARS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS A CRACK IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, OR IN SOME CASES A SEAL ON A VENT HOSE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I'VE LEARNED THAT MY…
Feb 1, 2017 · 134,000 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.