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Model year record

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 recalls & problems

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 has 3 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (8 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints23filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemMar 14, 2017

Software

Recall 17V17700051 vehicles

Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Risk
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Components: Electrical system › Software; Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Exterior lightingMar 10, 2015

Exterior lighting

Recall 15V13700030,141 vehicles

Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLS 400 and CLS 400 4matic, 2012-2015 CLS 550 and CLS 550 4matic, 2012-2013 CLS 63, 2014 CLS 63, and 2014-2015 CLS 63P. The affected vehicles have LED tail lights that may not light on the sides, reducing the rear side visibility of the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Reduced rear side marker illumination may prevent other drivers from seeing the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the lighting controller software, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015030005.
Latches/locks/linkagesNov 6, 2012

Hood › Latch

Recall 12V53300023 vehicles

Problem
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2012 CLS550 and CLS550 4Matic vehicles, manufactured December 01, 2011, through December 13, 2011. The bolts that hold the hood's secondary latch striker may have been insufficiently tightened.
Risk
The reduced torque of the striker bolts might lead to a loosening of the bolts. If two of the four bolts securing the striker became loose, the secondary hood latch function would become ineffective. If this problem combines with a failure of the primary hood lock or if the hood is not properly closed, the hood could open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will check and retighten the bolts as necessary. Mercedes-Benz notified the owners by phone for this campaign starting on 11/21/2012. 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.

Fuel economy

CLS550

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 25 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

CLS550 4matic

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 25 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 7-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/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 areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Fuel/propulsion system8000—
Engine400057,500 mi
Service brakes3102—
Power train310254,000 mi
Electrical system300061,000 mi
Unknown or other3000—
Steering2102—
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly2000—
Suspension2000—
Wheels1000—

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

Recent owner complaints

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