Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Air. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
230,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND PROGRESSED TO A PERMANENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND PROGRESSED TO A PERMANENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. RETURNED BY USPS ON 8/9/2013. 2ND ATTEMPT FAILED ON 8/9/2013. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10522057
126,768 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, AirService Brakes, Electric
AFTER THE 2001 CLK 430 DISPLAYED SEVERAL TIMES THE ABS ALERT AND ESC ALERT THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND COMPLETELY STOP. WE HAVE HAD THE COMPLETE BRAKE AND TIRE SYSTEM REPLACE FROM CALIPERS TO RIMS. WE ARE NOW BEING TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE YAW RATE SENSOR WHICH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342110
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Mercedes Benz Clk Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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