There are 3 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Classin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ S430. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. RUSTED AND CORRODED TRANS AT 24,000 MILES CAUSED BY FAULTY MERCEDES VALEO RADIATOR. MERCEDES OWN STAR BULLETIN TELLS DEALERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT MY DEALER DECIDED NOT TO CHECK IT OUT AND NOW MERCEDES AND DEALER ARE REFUSING TO HELP WHEN THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MANY OF THEIR MODELS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES CLK 320. SHE HAS HAD FAILURES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE MAY 2004. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A GRINDING NOISE, OFTEN HESITATED, AND FELT AS THOUGH IT HAD SLIPPED GEARS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REGISTERING THE VEHCICLE'S SPEED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL STALLING INCIDENTS. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,800 MILES.*AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026