2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 5%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 143,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320, 5% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 143,000 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017039Apr 1, 2025Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant…
- 10158329Oct 9, 2017Oil in engine wiring harness
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK320
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle 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