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: 15 of 20 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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
20 reports
48,000 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Structure
THE FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO BE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND AND PARKING LOT WHEEL BUMPERS ARE HIGHER. WHEN PARKING THE 2000 CLK MODEL 430, THIS MISMATCH CAUSES THE PLASTIC BUMPER TO DRAG ALONG THE CONCRETE BUMPER STOP, AND BECAUSE OF VERY WEAK DESIGN OF THE BUMPER, IT WILL CRACK THE BUMPER AT ITS WEAKEST POINTS, CAUS…
Read full complaint
THE FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO BE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND AND PARKING LOT WHEEL BUMPERS ARE HIGHER. WHEN PARKING THE 2000 CLK MODEL 430, THIS MISMATCH CAUSES THE PLASTIC BUMPER TO DRAG ALONG THE CONCRETE BUMPER STOP, AND BECAUSE OF VERY WEAK DESIGN OF THE BUMPER, IT WILL CRACK THE BUMPER AT ITS WEAKEST POINTS, CAUSING THE BUMPER TO HANG LOOSE AND BECOME A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE BUMPER SHOULD BE RECALLED TO BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT IS HIGHER FROM THE GROUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214700
80,000 miles · Oct 15, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LED CLUSTER DISPLAY LIGHTS ARE NOT VISIBLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $1200.00. SHE STATED TEN TO FIFTEEN PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LED CLUSTER DISPLAY LIGHTS ARE NOT VISIBLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $1200.00. SHE STATED TEN TO FIFTEEN PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10205797
60,000 miles · Sep 13, 2007
Electrical System
LED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT FUNCTION. CANNOT SEE GEAR I AM IN OR TIME, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ETC.
NHTSA ODI #10202951
75,000 miles · Jun 26, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIXELS ON THE CLUSTER ARE DEFECTIVE. HE STATED THAT HE CAN ONLY SEE HALF OF THE PIXELS ON THE SCREEN. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10194270
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2006
Electrical System
CLUSTER DEFECT. SCREEN IS SCRAMBLED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10175065
59,000 miles · Jul 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CPS) FAILED ON MY 2000 CLK 430. WAS REPLACED BY DEALER FOR $296. FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES, INCLUDING ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ENGINE SHUTS OFF OR REFUSES TO TURN OVER WHEN HOT (ALTHOUGH BATTERY KEEPS CRANKING), THEN AFTER 20-30 MINUTES IT TURNS ON FINE WHEN COOLED DOWN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10161748
7,678 miles · Jun 29, 2006
Tires
I HAD A MICHELIN LOW PROFILE TIRE LOSE PRESSURE AND IT FAILED AT 30 MPH. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED IN ONE PIECE FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. I HAD JUST EXITED I-10 AND IF THE TIRE HAD FAILED AT 60 MPH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING. I HAVE THE TIRE (7600 MILES) AND PICTURES. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. IT IS…
Read full complaint
I HAD A MICHELIN LOW PROFILE TIRE LOSE PRESSURE AND IT FAILED AT 30 MPH. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED IN ONE PIECE FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. I HAD JUST EXITED I-10 AND IF THE TIRE HAD FAILED AT 60 MPH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING. I HAVE THE TIRE (7600 MILES) AND PICTURES. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOOK AT ONE AND DETECT A LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL FROM THE CARS INSTRUMENTATION IF A TIRE IS LOSING PRESSURE UNTIL IT FAILS AND COMES APART. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10161067
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2005
Power Train
2000 MERCEDES CLK 430 WATER SPILLED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE RESULTING IN THE SHIFTER BECOMING INOPERATIVE. *MR *SC
NHTSA ODI #10134481
20,000 miles · Jul 21, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED THE FAILURE ON THE QUALITY OF GAS IN THE STATE. A FACTORY REP REFUSED TO COME OUT BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10083399
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2000
Visibility
WHILE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE IN USE AND IT'S RAINING THERE IS A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD WHICH MAY CAUSE VISUAL DIFFICULTIES, AND MAY RESULT A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED WINDSHIELD AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875314
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
1
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.
2000 Mercedes Benz CLK430 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration