1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 81,010miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 4.3L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and air bags (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 81,010 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 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.
- Engine cooling3 27%
- Air bags2 18%
- Brakes2 18%
- Electrical system1 9.1%
- Engine1 9.1%
- Body and structure1 9.1%
- Suspension1 9.1%
- Wheels1 9.1%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz CLK430. The contact stated that the gear cluster pixel has faded out, preventing him from seeing what gear he is in when driving. The failure was noticed while driving 55 MPH. Mercedes benz stated that all of their vehicles are designed that way and refuse to repair his vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 73,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10197706, filed 2007-07, 73,000 milesEngine cooling: “I was stuck in traffic and car stalled out in the middle of rush hour. I could not re start for about 40 min. It shut down two more times before I got home.this was a bad situation, very dangerous. I had no where to go to get out of the way. Turns out to be a bad crankshaft position sensor.”
NHTSA complaint #10222592, filed 2008-03, 82,020 milesAir bags: “This is another example of the defect reported in odi id number 769483: crack in passenger-side airbag cover (1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430). At this point I consider this to be a cosmetic defect only but would like to be notified if it turns out that there is a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10073139, filed 2004-05, 70,512 milesBrakes: “At roughly 80,000 miles, began receiving ABS and esp warning lights, intermittently at first and then increaing in frequency, so that now they are on roughly half the time. Mechanic diagnosed ABS control module fault code c1120 ( standstill calibration of yaw rate sensor erroneous ) and confirms that I am without ABS when warning lights are on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10082969, filed 2004-07, 80,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 73,000 and 100,685 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLK430 RWD | 4.3L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
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 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 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. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10151959Jul 23, 2018Seat belts. Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
- 10135628Oct 14, 2014Equipment. iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8
- 10166081Jul 12, 2014Body and structure. Noise complaints when load on backrest frame changes. Affects the driver and front passenger seats. Also perform the remedial action if you are performing work on: - backrest frame - backrest cover…
- 10136041Jun 30, 2014Transmission and drivetrain. Selector lever blocks in position "P" (brake applied)
- 10166976Feb 3, 2014Equipment. Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual"
- 10015377Jun 4, 2008Exterior lighting. Revised repair procedure and additional applicable models. Model 170, 202, 208 and 210 models. Front fog lamp(s) inoperative. Mercedes-benz. *tt model years: 1994-2004. Updated 09/09/08.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLK430
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 20 | 60,000 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 11 | 81,010 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz CLK430 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 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 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 (CLK430, 4.3L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 81,010 miles and the middle half falls between 73,000 and 100,685 miles; 0% 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.