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Electrical systemPart report

2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
32%of 19 total for the year
Median mileage
69,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320, 32% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“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

“I a 2003 clk 320 Mercedes-Benz with only has 46,054 miles on it. The speedometer needle stopped working on the instrument panel on 5/4/2008. I get a digital read-out, but nothing from the needle that monitor the speed.”

NHTSA complaint #10228225, filed 2008-05, 46,054 miles

“I am filing a complaint because recall id# 08v303000-electrical system is affecting my car and mercedes refuses to fix it. It is a software calibration that made my check engine light come on. When I took it to mb they said that the recall did not exist. Then they said that it existed and applied to the 2003 clk (which is what I have) but not to my VIN. They are trying to charge me to get this software calibrated when it's under a recall for other vehicles of the same year and class.”

NHTSA complaint #10250530, filed 2008-12, 62,000 miles

“I have a 203 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 with only 32,300 miles on it. The speedometer needle doesn't work on my instrument cluster. I get a digital readout , but nothing from the needle. All other gauges work fine. I understand this is an issue with other mb vehicles, but I was unable to find my particular model listed as qualifying for the recall. I have been quoted $1,000 to replace the instrument cluster and feel that I should not have to pay for this since it is a known and somewhat widespread issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10222246, filed 2008-03, 32,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz clk 320. While driving at unknown speeds, the instrument panel lights failed. The dealer advised the entire instrument panel would need to be replaced at the contact's expense. There were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 77,000 and the current mileage was 77,050. Updated 10/27/10. Updated 11/12/10 updated 11/26/10”

NHTSA complaint #10340457, filed 2010-06, 77,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005325%
2004425%
2003632%
2002850%
2001320%
2000635%
199916%

Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320

Air bags
5 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320

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