2004 Mercedes-Benz CL500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 78%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL500, 78% of the 9 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving to the store going about 45mph and all the sudden my instrument cluster completely went out and this is my daily driver so now im driving with no fuel level speed or how hot my engine is getting I called mercedes and they said my VIN was not in the recall but it should not matter!! It has the same problem as the other ones. But they refuse to fix a safe maulfunction”
NHTSA complaint #10783549, filed 2015-10, 120,000 miles“Takata recall I bought my 04 CL500 benz in april of 2015, after a few month I noticed the cluster flickering then soon after the back light went out but gages still working then today while driving in the city a poof of smoke hit me in the face I figured something was on fire so I pulled over opened all my doors and hood but no flames just smoke when smoke stopped I looked toward where the smoke was coming from witch was the cluster now im stuck with a horrble smell and no gages”
NHTSA complaint #10862317, filed 2016-04, 128,762 miles“I purchased this car june 2016. Enroute to vacation, in early august, the driver side electrical panel stopped operating. Mid-way to vacation, while stopping for gas the instrument panel when completely dark. I was unable to gauge how much gas, speed, etc., also at that time while sitting in the car, the jumped as if someone hit the car. Later I learned that it was the suspension. This continued to happen throughout the vacation. Upon reaching my vacation destination, the next day the car would not start and I had to call to get my battery jumped. …”
NHTSA complaint #10910748, filed 2016-09, 93,000 miles“While I was driving hwy 1 to monterey ca. Cluster dash lights blacked out. Now don't know how fast I'm going down the road and can see information from it.”
NHTSA complaint #10692683, filed 2015-03, 154,930 miles“Recall #1-abc pump leak. At 67,000 miles in march 2013, the abc pump broke and leaked fluid all over the engine compartment, and caused the suspension to collapse. Had the necessary repairs made at the cost of $3500 without knowledge of a safety recall for this issue. Recall #2-instrument cluster failure-at 87,000 miles in march 2016, the instrument cluster went black while traveling at 60 MPH on I-10. Did some research and discovered that this issue is also a safety recall. I have experienced 2 of the 4 safety recalls with this vehicle, but it was not included in either recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10852491, filed 2016-03, 67,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL500
4 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology