Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 92 consumer complaints across the 5 model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLS550 (2006–2014) that have at least 5 complaints. 2007 has the most, with 35. Across all years, the part named most often is fuel system (41 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All CLS550 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 10 | 74,717 | 4 | 111 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 23 | 49,280 | 3 | 111 | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 17 | 80,000 | 3 | 73 | — | Stable |
| 2007 | 35 | 58,700 | 4 | 75 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 7 | 70,000 | 1 | 69 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Fuel system41 42%
- Transmission and drivetrain9 9.3%
- Suspension9 9.3%
- Electrical system9 9.3%
- Brakes9 9.3%
- Other or unknown8 8.2%
- Engine7 7.2%
- Steering5 5.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2008: “While approaching interstate on ramp began to hear a loud whistling sound coming from the front left wheel well. I pulled over and found the left front suspension beginning to sink. The strut lower to a point where the body of the car was only 2-3 inches above the tire. When I checked the dashboard indicators I had an error light indicating that the vehicle was too low to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10604985, filed 2014-06, 63,500 miles2007: “I've had this vehicle for years. Each time I fillup, there is a very intoxicating smell of fuel inside and outside the vehicle. I was reading up on it and seems to be a common problem. This is a true health hazard as you cannot breathe right because of the fumes. Not to mention the chances of it catching fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10619476, filed 2014-08, 14,000 miles2012: “Driving on the highway with my 6month old baby and suddenly my car surges and loses power. The check engine light flashes and I move to the side of the road with almost no acceleration. Turn off the engine, wait a while then turn it back on and head back home. The cel stayed on but I still had engine power so I thought it was a fluke. This car just has 60k miles on it and I take it to mercedes for all the routine checks. So this behaviour was out of nowhere. …”
NHTSA complaint #11122317, filed 2018-08, 61,000 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,963 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
657 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology