2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 13%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, 13% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“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“While driving 45 MPH, the brakes were applied however, the vehicle would not decelerate. In addition, the steering wheel seized simultaneously and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. T the manufacturer has been contacted and stated that they would look into the issue. The failure and the current mileage was 980.”
NHTSA complaint #10478737, filed 2012-10, 980 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…
- 11023193Sep 17, 2025Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed in quick test and/or no communication possible with VGS. Cause…
- 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…
- 11010818Nov 20, 2024Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed in quick test and/or no communication possible with VGS. Cause…
- 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…
- 10167546Jul 30, 2013FC 2783 (Friction power of torque converter lockup clutch is too high) or FC 0741 (Actuation of torque converter lockup clutch not possible) stored in transmission control unit…
- 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…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550
8 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
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 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