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Mercedes-Benz CL55Model year report

2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and engine (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 29 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2002 (na) mercedes benz CL55. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument cluster lights suddenly shut off and the driver was unable to read the instrument gauges. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10748332, filed 2015-08, 80,000 miles

Air bags: “The seat occupancy sensor on the passenger seat of this car is malfunctioning. This is a RECOGNIZED PROBLEM for Mercedes cars. There are numerous websites and YouTube videos describing this problem, offering replacement sensors, offering bypass kits and describing how to make this repair. (Please see attached for small sample). But Mercedes does not acknowledge this problem and has not responded to correspondence about the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11506625, filed 2023-02

Engine: “The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz CL55. The contact stated that the active body control warning light remained illuminated. The dealer replaced the hydraulic fluid and reset the light however, the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have a diagnostic performed. The failure was located at the body control system, which was found to be corroded and caused the steel lining of the hoses to corrode and leak hydraulic fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 51,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10503626, filed 2013-03, 37,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,000 and 105,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2533%25–500%50–7533%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20132201520232
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
CL55 AMG RWD5.0L 8-cyl5-speed automatic132015$5,500

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 29 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 29 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz CL55

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2003580,0000—15—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz CL55 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.

Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 (CL55 AMG, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 37,000 and 105,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.