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Mercedes-Benz CLS550Model year report

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Problems

Complaints
17filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 5.5L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (29% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and electrical system (3). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 15% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 73 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 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.

Also reported: Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “I pulled into a service station to fill my tank. After adding fuel to capacity I began to smell fuel in the passenger compartment. I attributed the smell to possibly spilling fuel on myself. I drove the vehicle to work and then home. The next morning I continued to smell fuel in the passenger compartment. I took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis and was told that there was a leak in the tank that was splashing / venting into the passenger compartment. The service technician shared that this was a common problem with the cls.”

NHTSA complaint #10604989, filed 2014-06, 16,000 miles

Air bags: “My airbags deployed after on day of driving home from a day babysitting my niece and nephew I got home parked my car in the garage and that whole night from 11 at night untill about 330 in the morning the loudest sound I've ever herd the equivalent of a bomb detonation explosion went off and im 10 15 feet away painting my garage and next thing I know I look at my Mercedes-Benz CLS550 2008. All the airbags in the roof and by the back window detonating! I cant understand why to this day the car was locked keys where in my room in the house. And I have no idea how this could of happened. ! …”

NHTSA complaint #11343649, filed 2020-08, 95,000 miles

Electrical system: “I see there was a recall on instrument clusters on my vehicle in 2001. My instrument cluster is completely black and I can’t see speed or any thing at night. You cant replace the bulb or cluster unless mercedes reprogram it which the price is rediculous. I did some research and seen that Mercedes did some recalls for my vehicle but it doesn’t show up. I was told to contact you guys in regards to this.”

NHTSA complaint #11547230, filed 2023-09

Engine: “I was driving g through a parking lot when the serpentine belt broke. Naturally, the car became difficult to steer but manageable. As I attempted to turn into a parking spot I heard a 'pop' under the hood. When this occurred, the wheel went into a free spin. There was no input from the steering wheels to the rack and pinion. Upon investigation I found the lower steering shaft broken about 2 inches above the rack spline. The steering shaft was broken in two. The increased force required to turn the wheel was too much for the shaft to handle.”

NHTSA complaint #10935341, filed 2016-12, 65,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

15% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 63,500 and 98,000 miles.

0%0–108%10–258%25–5023%50–7538%75–10015%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2013201632018202020232025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
CLS550 RWD5.5L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142116$5,150

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

Recall details for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 → · Check a 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. 73 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 73 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLS550

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20141074,7174—20—Not enough data
20122349,2803—20—Stable
20081780,0003—16—Stable
20073558,7004—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2006770,0001———Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz CLS550 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 have?

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (29% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 (CLS550, 5.5L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 63,500 and 98,000 miles; 15% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.