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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
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2017
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATING THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGE RE-APPEARED. IN ADDITIO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATING THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGE RE-APPEARED. IN ADDITION, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DISPLAY INACCURATE SPEEDS. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES) AND 08V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES LISTED IN THE RECALLS. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11014702

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2017
Tires

I BOUGHT 4 BRAND NEW TIRE MICHELIN AT TOWN FAIR TIRE WITH EXTERNAL WARRANTY 3 YEARS. AFTER 7 MONTHS THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS SPILT ON THE SIDE DEPP BUT TIRE IS. NOT FLAT YET. I ASK THE STORE TO EXCHANGE BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS ACCIDENT BUT THEY SAID WE CAN EXCHANGE AS LONG AS YOUR TIRE IS NOT TOTALLY FLAT. I DON'T KNOW WHI…

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I BOUGHT 4 BRAND NEW TIRE MICHELIN AT TOWN FAIR TIRE WITH EXTERNAL WARRANTY 3 YEARS. AFTER 7 MONTHS THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS SPILT ON THE SIDE DEPP BUT TIRE IS. NOT FLAT YET. I ASK THE STORE TO EXCHANGE BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS ACCIDENT BUT THEY SAID WE CAN EXCHANGE AS LONG AS YOUR TIRE IS NOT TOTALLY FLAT. I DON'T KNOW WHICH INSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT CAN IMPOSE THIS BUSINESS TO SAVE THE CLIENT FOR WHAT THEY PAYING FOR. I CAN SHOW PHOTO TO MY TIRE AS A PROVE AND IF THIS FRONT TIRE CAN FLAT IN HIGH WAY , IT WILL COURSE BIG ACCIDENT. IT IS NOT FAIR TO PAY 1300$ TIRE WITH EXTRA WARRANTY AND THE STORE TIRE GIVE A RESPOND LIKE" DIE FIRST AND AFTER GET REIMBURSEMENT". THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10990879

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2017
Service Brakes

I OWN A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 500 4 DOOR I TOOK TO MB DEALER TO CHECK FOR ANY OPEN RECALL ON SBC BREAKS AND THE THE ANSWER BY MB WAS THAT MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURE DATE WAS PAST THE RECALL ON THE BREAKS. MY VEHICLE THAT I PAY TOP MONEY IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, IS PARKED INTO MY GARAGE FOR ALMOST 12 MONTHS, I KEEP LOOKING FOR SALE…

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I OWN A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 500 4 DOOR I TOOK TO MB DEALER TO CHECK FOR ANY OPEN RECALL ON SBC BREAKS AND THE THE ANSWER BY MB WAS THAT MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURE DATE WAS PAST THE RECALL ON THE BREAKS. MY VEHICLE THAT I PAY TOP MONEY IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, IS PARKED INTO MY GARAGE FOR ALMOST 12 MONTHS, I KEEP LOOKING FOR SALE AND WHEN THE MB DEALER SEE THE BRAKE RED LIGHT ON DASH, THEY WALK AWAY WITH LESS THAN $ 3,000 DOLLARS FOR MY VEHICLE THAT I PAID $ 18,000. MB ESTIMATED AROUND $ 4700 TO FIX MY VEHICLE. THE SBC MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE COMPLETE TO BE REPROGRAM AGAIN AND BE A SAFE DRIVE VEHICLE. MY WIFE E-500 ALSO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AND THEY SAID THE SAME, BUT DOE S NOT SHOW ANY RECALLS ON THE SBC MODULE. JUST WONDERING WHY MB DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND LET THE OWNERS LIKE ME CONTINUE ON THE MB FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI #10955480

165,000 miles · Dec 12, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

I BEGAN SMELLING FUEL IN THE CABIN OF MY CAR AND CONTACTED THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA, WESTMINSTER, CO. THE WOMAN I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES, BUT THAT SHE WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME. I NEVER HEARD BACK. THE SMELL WAS GETTING WORSE AND AFTER 3 WEEKS, I COULD NOT DRIVE WITH …

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I BEGAN SMELLING FUEL IN THE CABIN OF MY CAR AND CONTACTED THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA, WESTMINSTER, CO. THE WOMAN I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES, BUT THAT SHE WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME. I NEVER HEARD BACK. THE SMELL WAS GETTING WORSE AND AFTER 3 WEEKS, I COULD NOT DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS CLOSED, GAGGED WHEN I GOT INTO THE CAR AND SMELLED LIKE FUEL UPON EXITING THE CAR. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AGAIN AND ASKED IF I COULD BRING THE CAR IN. I WAS TOLD I COULD AND THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR FAULTY FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL TANK WAS ALLEGEDLY REPAIRED, BUT UPON RETURNING THE CAR TO ME, THE CAR STILL SMELLED LIKE FUEL. I THOUGHT THE SMELL MIGHT DISSIPATE OVER A FEW DAYS, BUT IT DID NOT, SEEMED TO GET WORSE AGAIN, SO I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THAT THE FUEL HAD LEAKED INTO THE UNDERLAYMENT OF THE CAR AND WAS DETERIORATING THE FLOOR BOARDS. I WAS ALSO TOLD TO "NOT SMOKE IN THE CAR" BY THE SERVICE REP. MERCEDES BENZ IS NOW REFUSING TO REPAIR THIS DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAULTY PART. THEY FEEL THAT THE CAR IS "SAFE" EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD NOT TO SMOKE IN IT. I DON'T SMOKE, BUT IF THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SPARK OR I GET IN AN ACCIDENT, I DON'T WANT THE CAR TO BLOW UP.

NHTSA ODI #10934902

103,000 miles · Aug 18, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND WAS FORCED TO DRIVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10896842

95,000 miles · Feb 29, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN INTERIOR OF CAR ALONG WITH SMELL IN GARAGE AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING. CHECKED ENGINE FOR LEAKS AS WELL AS GENERAL TANK AREA. NEGATIVE. I THINK THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT (UNDER REAR SEAT MAY BE LOOSE OR DEFECTIVE. CAN'T OVER EMPHASIZE THE STRONG GAS SMELL, WHILE STATIONARY--SEEMS TO DISSIPATE ON MOVEMEN…

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STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN INTERIOR OF CAR ALONG WITH SMELL IN GARAGE AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING. CHECKED ENGINE FOR LEAKS AS WELL AS GENERAL TANK AREA. NEGATIVE. I THINK THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT (UNDER REAR SEAT MAY BE LOOSE OR DEFECTIVE. CAN'T OVER EMPHASIZE THE STRONG GAS SMELL, WHILE STATIONARY--SEEMS TO DISSIPATE ON MOVEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10839029

177,000 miles · Feb 12, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD CAUSING A GREATER STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD CAUSING A GREATER STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL HYDRAULIC PUMP HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

NHTSA ODI #10825826

107,500 miles · Feb 12, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND THE REDUCE BRAKE ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND THE SBC B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND THE REDUCE BRAKE ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND THE SBC BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,500.

NHTSA ODI #10825786

135,000 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Service Brakes

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE…

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THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THE WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS, UNLIMITED MILEAGE, SO MB KNOWS OF THE DEFECT. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY VEHICLES ARE OUTSIDE THIS 10-YEAR WINDOW, YET THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10823623

96,462 miles · Aug 14, 2015
Engine

I BOUGHT THE USED MERCEDES BENZ CLS500 2006 JUST FOUR DAYS AGO. IN THE DEALER NOTES , IT SAID THERE WERE NO ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND THE CAR RUNS SMOOTHLY . I TEST DROVE IT , AND IT DID . BUT NOW , THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THE CAR FAILED TO START. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T START UNTIL I TURN THE KEY ABOUT 20 TIMES. YESTERDAY , THE CAR STOPP…

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I BOUGHT THE USED MERCEDES BENZ CLS500 2006 JUST FOUR DAYS AGO. IN THE DEALER NOTES , IT SAID THERE WERE NO ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND THE CAR RUNS SMOOTHLY . I TEST DROVE IT , AND IT DID . BUT NOW , THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THE CAR FAILED TO START. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T START UNTIL I TURN THE KEY ABOUT 20 TIMES. YESTERDAY , THE CAR STOPPED ON THE ROAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. LUCKILY , I MANAGED TO RESTART IT AND DROVE HOME . AND THE CAR WON'T START AGAIN . PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10748825

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.