Mercedes-Benz · CLK-Class · 2003
3
Recalls
33
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class has 3 recalls and 33 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: electrical system (6 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Convertible NCAP Vehicle ID: 4824
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Aug 31, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is electrical system with 6 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Remedy Status
Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Remedy Status
Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Remedy Status
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUNROOF GLASS BONDING SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF WAS RUSTED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE RUST WAS LEADING TO STRUCTURAL INSTABILITY OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S WAS SE...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE R...
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MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK 320 THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JUNE 9, 2017. THE ENGINE IS MELTED AND DESTROYED LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED DESPITE IT HAPPENED AROUND A BUSY AREA. I AM COMPLETELY IN SHOCK STILL, NOT KNOWING WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED UNTIL I ...
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ON MAR. 18, 2017 I WAS IN A PARKING LOT PREPARING TO LEAVE. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE MECHANISM THAT BRINGS THE SEAT BELT FORWARD SO I CAN GRAB IT BEGAN TO MOVE BACK AND FORWARD ERRATICALLY. WHEN IT STOPPED THE SEATBELT FAILED TO COME ALL THE WAY OUT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ST...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF...
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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...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE FU...
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I HAVE HAD SEAT BELT TROUBLE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS WEAK TO RETRACT. THAN 9 MONTHS LATER IT GAVE OUT ON ME. I LOOKED INTO IT ONLINE AND IT TURNS OUT ALMOST ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE 100,000 MILES. THERE ARE DOZENS OF FORUMS IN COMPLAINTS PLENTY OF P...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES- BENZ CLK 430. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HAD BECOME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES CLK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULB BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CU...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 33 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2003 Mercedes-Benz models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 33 owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class.
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class are electrical system (6 reports), air bags (5 reports), seat belts (3 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.