2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,650miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500, 6% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,650 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.
“Brakes keep going out. Brake pedal going to the floor. Esp light comes on and car throttling to a slow creep even on the highway. Extremely dangerous for me and my wife and child.”
NHTSA complaint #11342610, filed 2020-07, 170,000 miles“The contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz CLS500. While driving at any speed, the engine stalls. The vehicle loses all power, including braking and power steering. The vehicle glided down into a curb due to the failure. When shifted into park, the vehicle restarts normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they could not repair the failure. Other electrical issues were discovered, but not the cause of the stalling failure. The vehicle also has transmission failure, in whcih the contact believes is the cause of the stalling. The failure mileage was 34,400.”
NHTSA complaint #10270109, filed 2009-05, 34,400 miles“The contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz CLS500. On october 7, 2006, the contact took his vehicle to the dealer because the transmission was slipping. He has gone to the dealer six different times for this failure in addition to the front end of the vehicle pulling to the left and right, the vehicle lurching when driving between 40 and 50 MPH, and to retrieve a keyless remote. In regards to the transmission slipping, the contact was told that it was a software failure and the dealer did not have the software to perform the repair. The engine size was unknown. …”
NHTSA complaint #10191306, filed 2007-05, 13,674 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10167510Feb 28, 2014The vehicle cannot be started The vehicle may start by itself shortly after the startup attempt with a delay, as the relay can be late closing. and/or The gear selection is…
- 10167547Jul 26, 2013Shift quality complaints and/or automatic transmission in limp-home mode in combination with one or more of the following fault codes: P060600, P072200, P072300, P072364…
- 10030904Dec 1, 2008Mercedes benz: models 203, 209, 211, 219,230, and 463; model years 2005-2007. Replace pilot bushing at electrohydraulic unit. Daimler ag has determined that on affected vehicles…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500
23 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500
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