Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

2 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2026

Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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THE SFLOOR SHIFTER AND LINKAGE JUST WENT OUT RANDOMLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE COMPLACENT AND NON-REPAIRABLE WITHOUT ANY FAULT OR DAMAGE BY ME OR PREVIOUS OWNER THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS BEEN UNSERVICEABLE AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ORIGINAL DISCONTINUED PART AND I BELIEVE ALL 2000 CLK 320 BENZ CABRIOLET MODELS HAVE THE SAME DEFECT WITHIN THE LINKAGE AND SHIFTER WHICH IS IT BECOMES STUCK AND GEARS LOCK CAUSING INABILITY TO GO INTO GEAR AND SAFELY MANUVER THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS MADE TO BE MANUVERED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BENZ SERVICE CENTER AND STILL WAS UNABLE TO BE FIXED BASICALLY THE SOLENOID GOES OUT WITH THE SHIFTER THEN THE VEHICLE BECOMES INOPERABLE OR STARTABLE WHILE THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN PERFECT CONDITION A COMPONENT IS CAUSING MAJOR LOSSES AND SAFETY HAZARDS. GEAR SLIPPING AND MISFIRES AS WELL TO THE ECM UNIT. AS WELL AS SENSOR ISSUES CAUSING EMISSIONS FAILURES AND FALSE READS.

NHTSA ODI #11713026

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000

Power Train

WHEN THERE IS ANY LIQUID SPILL NEAR GEAR SHIFT IT COULD CAUSE THE SHIFT TO MALFUNCTION, AND MAKE GEAR SHIFT LIKE NEUTRAL WITH NO RESPONSE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #868348

Official recalls

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

PE03058 · Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure

Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Apr 22, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.