VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. CAR FUEL TANK READING INCORRECTLY. FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKING. RAW FUEL LEAKING. *TR
2006 Mercedes Benz CLS500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all CLS500 years →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.
What owners actually said
62 reportsAFTER I FILL THE CLS500 MB TANK WITH GAS, AND DRIVE INTO THE RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, AN HOUR LATER THE GARAGE IS FILLED WITH RAW GAS FUMES. IF I DON'T FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY, IT SEEMS TO BE OKAY. SOMETIMES THE FUMES ENTER THE HOME, AND MY GUESTS CAN SMELL THEM. IT'S QUITE EMBARRASSING WHEN YOU OWN A MB. THE GUESTS LEAVE RIGHT …
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AFTER I FILL THE CLS500 MB TANK WITH GAS, AND DRIVE INTO THE RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, AN HOUR LATER THE GARAGE IS FILLED WITH RAW GAS FUMES. IF I DON'T FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY, IT SEEMS TO BE OKAY. SOMETIMES THE FUMES ENTER THE HOME, AND MY GUESTS CAN SMELL THEM. IT'S QUITE EMBARRASSING WHEN YOU OWN A MB. THE GUESTS LEAVE RIGHT AWAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS CONTINUOUSLY LEAKING FROM UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS CONTINUOUSLY LEAKING FROM UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR AFTER FILLING UP AT THE GAS STATION. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. I NOTICED A RECALL # 2008-02001 SEEMS TO ADDRESS THIS MERCEDES-BENZ ISSUE BUT AM NOT SURE IT APPLIES TO THE CLS500. I THINK IT APPLIES TO THE CLS550 AND THE E-T…
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SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR AFTER FILLING UP AT THE GAS STATION. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. I NOTICED A RECALL # 2008-02001 SEEMS TO ADDRESS THIS MERCEDES-BENZ ISSUE BUT AM NOT SURE IT APPLIES TO THE CLS500. I THINK IT APPLIES TO THE CLS550 AND THE E-TYPE BUT IT SHOULD APPLY TO THE CLS500 SINCE THE UNDERPINNINGS OF THIS CAR IS THE E-TYPE. PLEASE ASSIST AS I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED BY MERCEDES-BENZ AND JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FEEL THAT MERCEDES-BENZ SHOULD CORRECT THIS APPARENT DEFECT AT NO CHARGE. *TR
BOUGHT THIS CAR LESS THAN 30 DAYS AGO AND IT HAS VERY STRONG GAS SMELL EVERY TIME AFTER REFUELING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR...I HAVE TO LEAVE MY GARAGE DOOR OPEN BECAUSE OF THE STRONG GAS FUMES IN THE GARAGE THAT ALSO CREEP INTO THE HOUSE!! *TR
AFTER FILLING MY CAR, I STARTED SMELLING A GAS ODOR COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE BACK SEAT AREA WHEN I REACH HOME ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY FROM THE SERVICE STATION WHERE I FILLED UP. I FIGURE THE SMELL WOULD HAVE GO AWAY BUT EVERYTIME I DRIVE MY CAR I CAN BE ASSURED TO SMELL THAT GAS ODOR IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER AREA WHICH NO…
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AFTER FILLING MY CAR, I STARTED SMELLING A GAS ODOR COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE BACK SEAT AREA WHEN I REACH HOME ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY FROM THE SERVICE STATION WHERE I FILLED UP. I FIGURE THE SMELL WOULD HAVE GO AWAY BUT EVERYTIME I DRIVE MY CAR I CAN BE ASSURED TO SMELL THAT GAS ODOR IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER AREA WHICH NOW IS VERY ANNOYING FOR A CAR I PAID SO MUCH MONEY FOR. .... *TR
FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKS AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK. HOLDS THE RAW GAS IN TOP OF SENDING UNIT. CAUSES INSIDE OF CAR TO FILL UP WITH RAW GAS SMELL, GETS REALLY BAD ON HOT DAYS. SMELLS LIKE RAW GAS IN GARAGE. FUEL SENDING UNIT IS UNDER BACK SEAT BEHIND DRIVER, WHICH COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
JUST LIKE THE OTHER MERCEDES VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMPS ARE UNDER THE BACK SEAT. MY DAUGHTER RIDES IN THE BACK. ONE MORNING I WAKE UP AND MY CAR SMELLED AS IF SOMEONE POURED GASOLINE ALL THROUGHOUT THE AUTOMOBILE. I LET THE WINDOWS DOWN AND TOOK MY CAR TO AMERICAN AUTO TECH WHERE I SPENT OVER 700.00. IT TOOK OVER 2MONTHS TO GET TH…
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JUST LIKE THE OTHER MERCEDES VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMPS ARE UNDER THE BACK SEAT. MY DAUGHTER RIDES IN THE BACK. ONE MORNING I WAKE UP AND MY CAR SMELLED AS IF SOMEONE POURED GASOLINE ALL THROUGHOUT THE AUTOMOBILE. I LET THE WINDOWS DOWN AND TOOK MY CAR TO AMERICAN AUTO TECH WHERE I SPENT OVER 700.00. IT TOOK OVER 2MONTHS TO GET THE SMELL OUT OF THE CAR AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE COVER AND LINING THAT SEPARATES THE BACK SEAT CUSHION PORTION FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE FUEL PUMPS THAT SIT UNDER BOTH BACK SEATS OF THIS CAR. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN ISSUE WITH THE E CLASS BUT MOST MERCEDES MADE THROUGH OUT THAT YEAR. I HAVE A RECEIPT IN WHICH I HAVE PAID AND FEEL THAT MERCEDES NEED TO COMPENSATE ME AND OTHERS FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART OR FUEL LEAKAGE. IT EVEN LEAKS FROM UNDER THE CAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO MY FAMILY AND OTHERS AROUND. *TR
THROUGH SOME CHECKING, GASOLINE SEEMS TO BE RUNNING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK WHEN IT IS FULL. IT IS NOT COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP MODULE SEAL. THIS IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND A POLLUTION AND HEALTH RISK. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED. HE TOLD ME THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENDIN…
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THROUGH SOME CHECKING, GASOLINE SEEMS TO BE RUNNING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK WHEN IT IS FULL. IT IS NOT COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP MODULE SEAL. THIS IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND A POLLUTION AND HEALTH RISK. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED. HE TOLD ME THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING UNDERNEATH OF THE SEATS. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE JUST FIXED TWO CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER (2008-020001) OUT HERE STATING THE SAME ISSUE, BUT MB AT ARLINGTON TOLD ME THAT IT WILL COST ME TO GET IT FIX BETWEEN $400 TO $730 AND MY CAR IS NOT COVER UNDER THIS RECALL. HE PULLED UP THE VIN OF MY CAR AND TOLD ME SORRY THAT YOUR CAR DOESN'T HAVE ANY RECORDS FOR RECALL. SO, I TOOK MY CAR BACK AND ASKED HIM TO PROVIDED ME THE COST ESTIMATE, I CALLED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT COVER UNDER MY BASIC PLANS. SO, I DROVE THE CAR HOME, SMELLING LIKE THE I HAVE BEING SHOWERED BY THE SMELL OF LEAKING FUEL. I ALSO, GAVE A CALL TO MBUSA AND FILE MY COMPLAIN, AND SOMEONE CHECKED MY VIN AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DOESN'T COVER UNDER THE RECALL, BUT SHE WILL PUT THE FILE TOGETHER AND WILL BRING IT UP TO THE UPPER MANAGER TO REVIEW THE CASE AND TOLD ME THAT SOMEONE WILL GIVE ME A CALL BACK ON MONDAY SINCE THEY ARE CLOSING ON THE WEEKEND. THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER THE SENDING UNITS. BY NOW I HAVE ALL MY RESEARCH HANDY (AND HAVE ALREADY PRICED OUT THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH UNITS - $2,000) AND SAID "WELL THERE'S BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE ON THIS EXACT CAR, IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT'S WHY I WANT TO SHARE MY PROBLEM WITH OTHER PEOPLE ON THE MATTER." I PROVIDED THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER (2008-020001) AND ADVISE HER PLEASE LET THEM KNOW OF THE PLEDGED TO LOOK INTO IT. WISH ME LUCK :(. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES CLS500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BELIEVES THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SBC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES CLS500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BELIEVES THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SBC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ONLY PART COVERED WAS THE SBC PUMP. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,767.
Official recalls
324V874000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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