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2006 Mercedes Benz CLS500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

49 reports with mileage · 13 unknown

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.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

62 reports
172,989 miles · Oct 28, 2024
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the messages "Reduced Braking Pressure, and “Service Required" was displayed and the vehicle experienced a loss in braking power. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and proceed to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was t…

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The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the messages "Reduced Braking Pressure, and “Service Required" was displayed and the vehicle experienced a loss in braking power. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and proceed to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN on the SVC (Sensotronic-braking Control Unit) did not match with the VIN and that the contact had to bring the vehicle to a local dealer for repair. Upon becoming aware of the failure, the vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed; however, the contact was advised that the dealer could not replace the unit because the unit was not the correct unit for the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle should not have an SVC unit but instead should have an ABS unit. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 172,989.

NHTSA ODI #11622345

131,000 miles · Sep 18, 2024
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and ESC warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic stability control module. The contact was informed that the part had been discontinued. The vehicle w…

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The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and ESC warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic stability control module. The contact was informed that the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 131,000.

NHTSA ODI #11615195

99,000 miles · Feb 29, 2024
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake pedal failed to depress properly. There was a message to “STOP” displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the TLS, but the failure recurred. The contact call…

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The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brake pedal failed to depress properly. There was a message to “STOP” displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the TLS, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer, who informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #11574703

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

VERY STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. GAS LEAKING ON THE FLOOR FROM GAS TANK AREA.

NHTSA ODI #11397990

170,000 miles · Jul 31, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes

BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT. BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. ESP LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR THROTTLING TO A SLOW CREEP EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY WIFE AND CHILD.

NHTSA ODI #11342610

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000(VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SACRAMENTO (1810 HOWE AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95825, (888) 479-0451) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000(VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SACRAMENTO (1810 HOWE AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95825, (888) 479-0451) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2006 CLS 500 ##

NHTSA ODI #11330885

129,000 miles · Mar 8, 2020
Service Brakes

I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN I BEGAN TO PUSH ON THE BREAK PEDAL IT WENT ALL THE WAY THE THE FLOOR. GOOD THING IT WAS A LITTLE TRAFFIC BECAUSE I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH SO I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY IN THE GRASS AND STOP. BUT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS COULD HAVE WELL ENDED BAD FOR ME. WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAK…

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I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN I BEGAN TO PUSH ON THE BREAK PEDAL IT WENT ALL THE WAY THE THE FLOOR. GOOD THING IT WAS A LITTLE TRAFFIC BECAUSE I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH SO I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY IN THE GRASS AND STOP. BUT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS COULD HAVE WELL ENDED BAD FOR ME. WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKES JUST STOPPED WORKING AND GAVE THE ERROR 'DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL STOP VEHICLE'

NHTSA ODI #11316895

133,726 miles · Sep 25, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE 'DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL STOP VEHICLE' WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE COASTED UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE 'DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL STOP VEHICLE' WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE COASTED UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH ORLANDO (4301 MILLENIA BLVD, ORLANDO, FL 32839, (407) 374-0033) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,726.

NHTSA ODI #11258011

141,849 miles · Jul 30, 2019
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINED, IT FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE WOULD FLIP OVER. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS WORN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO PRESTIGE AUTO MALL (1501 VERNON ODOM BLVD, AKRON, OHIO, 44320, (330)…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINED, IT FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE WOULD FLIP OVER. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS WORN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO PRESTIGE AUTO MALL (1501 VERNON ODOM BLVD, AKRON, OHIO, 44320, (330) 634-9999), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT DID NOT SIGN UNKNOWN PAPERWORK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,849.

NHTSA ODI #11240578

100,000 miles · Apr 7, 2019
Suspension

THE MERCEDES BENZ CLS500 HAS A DEFECTIVE PART ALL OF THE AIR STRUTS SUSPENSION ARE DROPPED THE MERCEDES BENZ AIRMATIC ARE KNOWN FOR GOING BAD IT'S A WAY THAT MERCEDES CAN CHARGE FOR MORE WORK TO CUSTOMERS THEY SELL YOU A CAR THAT WILL GO BAD NOT IF BUT WHEN WILL GO BAD THIS IS CLEARLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL MERCEDES BENZ NEE…

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THE MERCEDES BENZ CLS500 HAS A DEFECTIVE PART ALL OF THE AIR STRUTS SUSPENSION ARE DROPPED THE MERCEDES BENZ AIRMATIC ARE KNOWN FOR GOING BAD IT'S A WAY THAT MERCEDES CAN CHARGE FOR MORE WORK TO CUSTOMERS THEY SELL YOU A CAR THAT WILL GO BAD NOT IF BUT WHEN WILL GO BAD THIS IS CLEARLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL MERCEDES BENZ NEEDS TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS AND START THE RECALL PROCESS 2006 CLS500 FRONT AND REAR AIR STRUTS SUSPENSION

NHTSA ODI #11194444

Official recalls

3

24V874000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Nov 19, 2024

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

21V196000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Mar 19, 2021

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2007 C350, C230, C280, CLK350, E320CDI, E350 Wagon, E350, 2006 C55 AMG, CLK500, CLS500, CLS55 AMG, E500 Wagon, E500, E55 AMG, 2007 CLK550, CLS550, CLS63 AMG, E550, E63 AMG, and E63 Wagon AMG vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 7, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040012.

19V918000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Dec 20, 2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

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.