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Mercedes-Benz CLK320Model year report

2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
45,527miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns 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
20 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320. The part named most often is electrical system, with 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by air bags (5) and seat belts (3). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,527 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 45 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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: “My 2003 mercedes benz clk 320 that I have owned for less than 1 year caught on fire on june 9, 2017. The engine is melted and destroyed luckily no one was injured despite it happened around a busy area. I am completely in shock still, not knowing what actually happened until I came across a website stating that other mercedes benz models have had their engines catch on fire due to trying to start the vehicle more than once in consecutive attempts. (while reading that last paragraph, I do recall trying to do just that since the car decided to stall on me). …”

NHTSA complaint #11001570, filed 2017-06, 143,000 miles

Air bags: “Oncoming car slid sideways into the front of my car on a county highway. The airbag did not deploy even though damage was extensive (car was total loss), and injuries to the driver were sustained. Seatbelt was on but injuries resulted from crash. A complaint was filed with mercedes benz, even sent a picture of the damage, but I have not heard back from them.”

NHTSA complaint #10254882, filed 2009-01, 38,500 miles

Seat belts: “On mar. 18, 2017 I was in a parking lot preparing to leave. When I started the car the mechanism that brings the seat belt forward so I can grab it began to move back and forward erratically. When it stopped the seatbelt failed to come all the way out. I turned the car off and started it again and the mechanism came out like it should but the seatbelt wouldn't come out. I played with seatbelt until I got it to come out, however, it wouldn't retract to fit snug against my body. …”

NHTSA complaint #10966695, filed 2017-03, 113,331 miles

Body and structure: “2003 mercedes benz suffered three tire sidewall flats. ***no answer required***. When the dealer went to replace a damaged tire, they found that the remaining tires only had 2mm of tread left. The left front seat belt button was replaced. Water leaked from the top corner of the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10117539, filed 2005-04, 9,507 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

57% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 32,000 and 113,331 miles.

14%0–107%10–2536%25–507%50–757%75–10029%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 45,527 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.

20052007320093201420172021
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 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 automatic172420$4,100
CLK320 (Cabriolet) RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172520$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

Recall details for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 → · Check a 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. 45 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 45 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by air bags with 5.

Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 (CLK320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,527 miles and the middle half falls between 32,000 and 113,331 miles; 57% 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.