There are 6 owner-reported tires & wheels complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Classin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Tire size: 245/40/17 Had a blowout without any warning, causing me to hit the center console and mirror receiving cuts and bruises. Immediately was pulled to the side of the road. When I got out to see what had happened, the rubber separated from the tire, which knocked off the back end of my car, scraped the entire passenger side of the car, knocking off the door handle and unclear as to what it damaged underneath my car. I have filed a complaint with the company, dealt with a Jesse Han and contacted the CEO Darren Thomas in regards to repairing the damage done. This has gone on since June and they keep giving me the run around. There are multiple problems with Sumitomo tires and the company owes for damages
While driving at 60mph on the a highway, without warning the passenger rear tire had a blowout. I immediately pulled off the road and when looking to see what happened, clearly seen was the rubber from the tire completely separated from the tire, causing major damage to my car. The rubber that came unattached ripped the passenger door handle off, scratched up the entire passenger side of my car, ripped off the passenger rear bumper and underneath damage as well. When taking the tire to try and get replaced, the manager of Walmart told me this was definitely a tire manufacturer defect and I should seek for the manufacturer to cover all damage due to this defect. I have filed a complaint with Sumitomo and I have gotten no response or help with this matter. In the meantime my car is not drivable due to this damage. Because they have taken no responsibility, I am filing a complaint with The Dept. Of Transportation in order to get something done.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND IT FELT LIKE THE CAR RAN OVER SOMETHING. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE HAD RAN COMPLETELY FLAT WITH TREAD SPLITTING ALL AROUND IT. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED BUT I HAVE CONTACTED THE MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE TIRE HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE ARE DEFECTS WITH THE TIRES BECAUSE THE OTHER FRONT TIRE HAS A BUBBLE IN THE TREAD. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER SEAT IN THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD ON ITS OWN, PUSHING THE CONTACT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECORDING THE CORRECT SEAT POSITION OF EACH DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, BOTH FRONT TIRES MADE A THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. A SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE WEAR ON THE TREAD WAS UNEVEN. DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING STAGGERED WHEELS, THE TIRES COULD NOT BE ROTATED.
BLOW OUT OF RIGHT REAR TIRE (COSTCO ITEM #758707 BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE RE750 245/40R17 ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE) RESULTING IN $2000 WORTH OF VEHICLE DAMAGE. DEFECTIVE TIRE REMNANTS SENT TO BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE. THEIR INSPECTOR DENIES THAT THE TIRE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECT IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP. I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE OBJECTIVELY EVALUATED THE TIRE REMAINS AND ARE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID EXCEPTING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE BLOWOUT WHICH WOULD AMOUNT TO COVERING MY $2000 OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. *JB
TIRES ON THE MERCEDES CLK320 ARE NOT DESIGNED TO LAST VERY LONG AND BECOME "BALD" QUICKLY CREATING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANGER AT THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP THE TIRES SUPPLIED WITH THE CAR ARE RATED FOR ONLY 8,000 TO AT BEST 11,000 MILES. THEY TIRES CAN NOT HANDLE SIMPLY BRAKES IN THE ROAD AND RIP APART VERY EASILY. I KNOW OF SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS CAR THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. *JB
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 25, 2026