2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 17%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, 17% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 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.
“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 miles“Engine started misfiring and would go into limp mode so I brought it to dealership for diagnostic and was told oil was leaking from the camshaft sensors into the engine wiring harness and ecu. All of which needed to be replaced at a cost of over $6033.00 and the car has only around 50k miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11320626, filed 2020-04, 54,000 miles“When started and for some period after warm up the engine fuel injectors rattle. The dealer mechanic claims that this is the result of the split rail system installed on the engine. This makes the motor appear to be knocking as the noise is loud. I have reported it several times since 2017.”
NHTSA complaint #11316714, filed 2020-03, 1,000 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…
- 11008064Aug 9, 2024In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance and quality of your vehicle, we are writing to inform you that on certain Model Year 2011-2018 C-Class, E-Class…
- 11031736Sep 6, 2023In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA ("MBUSA") is extending…
- 11031590Sep 6, 2023This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on March 10, 2023, and contains clarification on reimbursement timeline and removal of damage codes related to intake valves/guide.
- 10160738Apr 11, 2019Update engine electronics (ME-SFI) control unit software
- 10154018Jan 25, 2019ESP, BAS, PRE-SAFE - Fault message in instrument cluster
- 10158329Oct 9, 2017Oil in engine wiring harness
- 10056233Mar 13, 2014Xentry (mercedes): in the instrument cluster, an esp warning due to implausible accelerator pedal signal received from engine control unit. Model 2012 172, 212, 218, 207, 204.
- 10059863Nov 21, 2012Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10059803Nov 1, 2012Summary to be provided on a future date.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550
8 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology