2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 12%of 17 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, 12% of the 17 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,500 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.
“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“The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. The contact stated that at start-up the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The local dealer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11341067, filed 2020-07, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017039Apr 1, 2025Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant…
- 10154018Jan 25, 2019ESP, BAS, PRE-SAFE - Fault message in instrument cluster
- 10158329Oct 9, 2017Oil in engine wiring harness
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS550
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