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: 1 of 1 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.
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. 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
1 reports
76,897 miles · Nov 7, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
RIGHT FRONT XENON HEADLAMP BALLAST FAILED CAUSING HEADLAMP TO NOT ILLUMINATE, AFTER THIS PART WAS REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER THE XENON IGNITER FAILED THUS CAUSING HEADLAMP TO NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER NOW THE LEFT HEADLAMP HAS FAILED. THE BALLAST HAS NOW FAILED ON THIS LIGHT AS WELL. THE HEADLAMPS ARE SO UNRELIA…
Read full complaint
RIGHT FRONT XENON HEADLAMP BALLAST FAILED CAUSING HEADLAMP TO NOT ILLUMINATE, AFTER THIS PART WAS REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER THE XENON IGNITER FAILED THUS CAUSING HEADLAMP TO NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER NOW THE LEFT HEADLAMP HAS FAILED. THE BALLAST HAS NOW FAILED ON THIS LIGHT AS WELL. THE HEADLAMPS ARE SO UNRELIABLE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483657
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.
2005 Mercedes Benz Clk Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year