2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 problems
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 has 26 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (23%) concerns air bags. Next are electrical system (23%) and seat belts (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 26 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 23% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 5 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 45,000 miles 19 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 19 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 45,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 5 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 4 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 97% of model years in our database.
It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving at 30 MPH vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries. *nlm
Oncoming car slid sideways into the front of my car on a county highway. The airbag did not deploy even though damage was extensive (car was total loss), and injuries to the driver were sustained. Seatbelt was on but injuries resulted from crash. A complaint was filed with mercedes benz, even sent a picture of the damage, but I have not heard back from them.
2003 mercedes (convertible) 350 clk traveling approx 35 MPH on 2-lane road veered right and struck a parked car, causing approximately $20,000 damage to the right front of the mercedes (total loss). None of the airbags deployed, although the rear seat roll bars did deploy. Driver hit her head on the steering wheel, suffering concussion. Apparently the air bags were defective.
I have a 203 mercedes-benz clk320 with only 32,300 miles on it. The speedometer needle doesn't work on my instrument cluster. I get a digital readout , but nothing from the needle. All other gauges work fine. I understand this is an issue with other mb vehicles, but I was unable to find my particular model listed as qualifying for the recall. I have been quoted $1,000 to replace the instrument cluster and feel that I should not have to pay for this since it is a known and somewhat widespread issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz clk 320. While driving at unknown speeds, the instrument panel lights failed. The dealer advised the entire instrument panel would need to be replaced at the contact's expense. There were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 77,000 and the current mileage was 77,050. Updated 10/27/10. Updated 11/12/10 updated 11/26/10