2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 57%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500, 57% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
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 car after fueling leaks a very strong fuel smell enters my car. The strong fuel vapor will remain until the tank gets below 3/4. It will be there whether it is in motion, stationary, or at idle. My entire garage will smell of fuel during this time when the tank is full. I know mercedes recalled the e class fuel tank because of this same issue. My CLK500 is the same as the e class but the convertible version. These are dangerous faulty tanks that need to be recalled in every vehicle they installed them in.”
NHTSA complaint #11057004, filed 2017-12, 84,000 miles“I smelled gasoline when my two cars were parked in the garage. This occurred only after filling the gas tanks (no topping off.) I thought it was my 2010 mbz but the dealer checked and found no problem. I had my 2004 mbz checked. The dealer told me I needed a new gas tank, because it was leaking. My car has 80k miles and looks new; garaged, serviced and never in an accident and has no leaks. A new gas cap did not solve the problem. Over three quarters of a tank does not emit any odor, so I don't fill the tank completely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10503648, filed 2013-03, 70,000 miles“Strong smell of gas fumes at rear wheel well area when fuel tank is filled. Dealer found fuel leaking from the top of the fuel sending unit and was filling the recessed area on top of fuel tank with gas. The dealer said that the plastic sending unit has a small crack or pin hole and would have to be replaced. I found on the mercedes benz user blog that other clk owners had similar issues. I contacted mercedes benz USA and filed a complaint stating this is a fire hazard. They said that they could not assist me with this problem since the vehicle out of warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10445717, filed 2012-01, 53,900 miles“After filling fuel tank strong smell of gasoline. Other complaints of this nature in your system. Recall already issued for other model mercedes benz with same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10885068, filed 2016-07, 83,000 miles“Bought car in sept. 2012. Started to notice fuel smell after fill ups. Getting worse, and checked fuel sending unit on top of tank. Puddle of fuel on top of sending unit.”
NHTSA complaint #10509220, filed 2013-04, 68,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10016670May 1, 2009Mercedes: the fuel level indicated in the instrument cluster does not match the actual fill level. This may be caused by a fault in the fuel level sensor function chain…
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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