2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 29%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,938miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class, 29% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,938 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.
“The automatic transmission in my 2001 Mercedes-Benz clk430 will frequently become stuck in only one gear. Most often 3rd gear, but sometimes 2nd. This is a terrifying situation for me, especially in traffic, as the automobile does not accelerate from a stop in 3rd gear and abruptly slows when letting off the accelerator in 2nd. 2nd gear also limits the speed of the car significantly and has caused me to be the traffic slowdown at rush hour on many occasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10200844, filed 2007-08, 59,875 miles“1st, in may 2006, I was parking my 2001 mercedes benz, clk-430, into parking lot at 7-11 store. I place the shifter into p (park). The engine was still running at this time. I remove my foot off the brake pedal, the car running back out of the parking stall as if it was in the reverse gear. I placed my foot back on the brake pedal to stop the car movement. I place the shifter back in the drive location and drive the car back to the original place. And place the shifter back in park and again the car start rolling backwards. …”
NHTSA complaint #10159952, filed 2006-06, 32,850 miles“The instrument cluster in my 2001 Mercedes-Benz clk430 does not function properly. The pixels in the gear selector, temperature and clock section do not light up. This makes it impossible to tell what gear the car is in, and poses a safety hazard. The p and r are difficult to distinguish. This car has transmission problems, and the necessity to identify which gear the car is in by feel is dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10200847, filed 2007-08, 58,000 miles“The contact stated water was spilled on the console causing the transmission to be inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer replaced the electronic control unit in the console which corrected the problem. Updated 8/14/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10163069, filed 2006-07, 60,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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