Model year record

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class recalls & problems

The 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has 1 safety recall and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints6filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 1, 2005

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 05V133000204,000 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM MAY PREMATURELY SHIFT TO THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP FUNCTION MODE, DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTION, OR DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.
Risk: IN THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP MODE, THE DRIVER HAS BRAKING POWER SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET AND REPLACEMENT GROUND WIRE TO THE SBC PUMP UNIT ON ALL VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. ADDITIONALLY DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SBC PUMP UNIT IN SL VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS 4-DR. w/SAB

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	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission	2	—
Air bagsFrontal › Driver side › Inflator module	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	—
Structure	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages	1	—
Visibility	1	—
Seats	1	—
Equipment	1	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
WHEN I FILLED THE FUEL TANK, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF GAS FUMES. THE WHOLE GARAGE SMELLED STRONGLY OF GAS FUMES AND GAS WAS DRIPPING ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. IF THE HOT WATER HEATER DECIDED TO IGNITE, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIMILAR ISSUE TO NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA 13-003. THE CLS CLASS AND THE E CLASS SHARE THE SAME CHASSIS AND FUEL TANK. IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE EXPAND YOUR INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE CLS CLASS VEHICLES. *TR
Apr 24, 2013 · 108,000 miles
Power train
MY SPRINTER 2500 DIESEL VAN YEAR 2006 JUST SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I AM DRIVING ALONG ON A MAIN STREET IN SAVANNAH AND THE VAN JUST SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE VAN. THEY KEEP REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR BUT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ANSWER. I NEED HELP. MY HUSBAND IS TOTALLY WHEELCHAIR BOUND AND HE IS IN THE VAN. I REALLY NEED HELP! *TR
Aug 7, 2008 · 19,824 miles
Structure
OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS DESPITE MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. SPECIFICALLY WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF WARRANTY DEFECTS INCLUDING: - WINDSHIELD FLUID CLOGGING - SUNROOF MOTOR REPAIR - DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILURE - BATTERY/ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING - CRACKED KEYS - RADIO FAILURE - SEAT ADJUSTMENT KNOB FALLING OFF (2X) - CENTER CONSOLE BREAKAGE - REAR VIEW MIRROR DIMMING PROBLEMS THE MOST DISTURBING ISSUE TO DATE WAS THE CAR RECENTLY SHUTTING DOWN POWER WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME ON A MAJOR FREEWAY. HE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Jun 20, 2008 · 51,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE WAS EITHER TURNED OFF AND BACK ON OR PLACED INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT AFTER 1000 MILES, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE VALVE BODY BUT AFTER TWO MONTHS THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT AWAITS ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND A COMPLAINT WAS TAKEN. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - *NM
Oct 12, 2006 · 9,028 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE AND DIMINISHED STOPPING POWER. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.
Aug 14, 2006 · 8,500 miles
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
FOR OVER 60 DAYS, MERCEDES HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE PARTS TO THEIR DEALERSHIP IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS TO ACCOMPLISH A REPAIR FOR SAFETY RECALL #2006-020005. *JB
May 23, 2006

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