Skip to content
Mercedes-Benz CLK320Model year report

2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
90,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and vehicle speed control (3). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 29 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 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.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Air bag driver type unknown-- driver sternum fractured I was driving a 2001 mercedes CLK320 during rush hour traffic 1/2 car length behind next car. The car in front of me changed lanes, two 3 series bmws were stopped for city bus. I slammed on brakes, then realized I would hit the car in front, did not swrive lined my body up both arms on wheel skidded and hit the car in front of me. The airbag hit me in the chest very hard at about 1300, there was a tear with white puff and little metal bead things on airbag. I check to see if my filings had been broken. …”

NHTSA complaint #10907483, filed 2016-09, 90,000 miles

Electrical system: “While driving down the street both the right and left LED instrument clusters that indicate what gear you are in and the outside temperature both failed and are unable to read. I consider this a safety issue only because I cannot tell which gear I am in and often times I must guess at what gear it is in. This guessing takes my eyes and concentration off the road and could potentially cause an accident I know that every CLK320 has this same issue and mercedes benz has not issued a recall for this fix. It seems they should as it could lead to many accidents.”

NHTSA complaint #10713137, filed 2015-04, 90,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Pulling car into driveway and it just surged or took off, running into the garage door and crashing. I had foot on brake leaving black marks on driveway. Had 2 witnesses to the incident. Exact day not listed as I do not have that with me. Since that time I have noticed in the newspapers and t.v. Of 2 other incidents that caused property damage or even death in same brand of vehicle that would be explained by same malfunction. 1. In columbia s.c(death). And 1. In frankfort ky. Running into a kroger store.”

NHTSA complaint #10206511, filed 2007-10, 30,000 miles

Body and structure: “I was backing out of a parking space when my passenger side control arm broke. The front passenger side wheel splayed out and bent the fender. I had the car towed to a garage that was very nearby. The mechanic noted that the control arm was hollow and seemed to be rusting. He was able to detect that the driver side control arm had a similar problem in the making and that the stabilizer bar had stress crack. All were replaced over the next few weeks while I was on vacation. The total cost was slightly under $2900. …”

NHTSA complaint #10536339, filed 2013-08, 160,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 75,000 and 120,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2520%25–500%50–7540%75–10020%100–15020%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 90,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2002200732011201320152020
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 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 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
CLK320 RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,900
CLK320 (Cabriolet) RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182520$4,100

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 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 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 CLK320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20051269,8963—21—Not enough data
20041669,0003—20—Rising
20031945,5273—20—Falling
20021659,0000—20—Stable
20011590,0000—21—Falling
20001752,5000—21—Stable
19991869,4941—21—Stable

All Mercedes-Benz CLK320 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 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 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 (CLK320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 75,000 and 120,000 miles; 20% 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.