VehicleVerdict

2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk320 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk320 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Clk320 years?

Clk320 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted29 complaints1999: 29 complaints2000: 19 complaints2001: 20 complaints2002: 27 complaints2003: 26 complaints2004: 23 complaints2005: 14 complaints2006: 1 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 1 complaints
Clk320 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Clk320 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk320 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels321%
Electrical System321%
Seats214%
Airbags214%
Seat Belts214%
Other17%
Brakes17%

Does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk320 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V874000Visibility & WipersNovember 19, 2024 · 33,456 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

22V954000Visibility & WipersDecember 23, 2022 · 131,653 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

19V918000Visibility & WipersDecember 20, 2019 · 747,928 units

Defect

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

Consequence

A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY 2005 MERCEDES CLK320 CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND TOTALED. IT STARTED WITH SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AC VENTS. WHEN I TURNED THE AC OFF THE SMOKE GOT WORSE AND FIRE PROCEEDED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 5, 2018 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 1, 2006

“SEAT BELT EXTENDED WITHOUT TENSION AND CONTINUED TO RELEASE. SO THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS OF NO FUNCTIONAL USE. BROUGHT TO MERCEDES SERVICE, REPLACED ENTIRE SEAT-BELT AND RETRACTION SYSTEM. WAS TOLD THE WHEEL THAT RETRACTS THE BELT IS DEFECTIVE. SEEMS LIKE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE, MAYBE WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 21, 2014

“SRS LIGHT APPEARED AND WE TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD THE REPAIR DONE ON 10/03/14. WE THOUGHT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 12, 2014

“SRS LIGHT ON DIAGNOSIS FAULTY FRONT SEAT SENSOR AND CONTROL UNIT. SRS THEREFORE NO LONGER WORKING. THIS IS THE THIRD ONE OF THESE I HAVE HAD THAT HAS HAD THIS FAULT ALL ON MERCEDES. EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS REPETITIVE AND CONTINUOUS. ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY! *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · October 15, 2014

2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk320 — common questions

Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk320 reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 Clk320 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (3 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), airbags (2 complaints).

Does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk320 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Clk320. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.