2003 Mercedes-Benz CL Class Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2 safety recalls on file

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL Class has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Seat Belts (3 reports).

2Recalls
5Owner complaints
3Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your CL Class?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2003 Mercedes-Benz CL Class recalls

Engine And Engine Cooling; Suspension

Recall 07V263Jun 12, 200719,924 vehicles affected

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock

Recall 04V285Jun 9, 200416,690 vehicles affected

Most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL Class problems

Problem areas named in the 5 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Seat Belts3
Seats2
Air Bags2
Equipment1
Power Train1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Steering1
Suspension1

What owners report

2010-08-19, Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG. THE ABC OR ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED AND WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING, THE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK , SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE AND I NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE THICK SMOKE AND POOR VISIBILITY. I HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE THE CL55 TOWED TO MY MECHANIC MY MECHANIC, WHO SPECIALIZES IN HIGH END MERCEDES BENZ TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MERCEDES CL 55,65,600 MODELS FROM 2003-2006. MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE LATER MODELS. THE ORIGINAL STICKER PRICE OF THE CL MODEL IS ABOUT $120,000. MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE ABC SYSTEM ON THE AMG MODELS BUT DID NOT MAKE A FACT
2010-05-27, Seats
TL*THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2003 MERCEDES CL55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JUNE 11,2006, THEY WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE( LIMOUSINE) AT 45 MPH. WHEN THE DRIVER DOWN SHIFTED, THE DRIVER DROVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE FRONT END OF THE MERCEDES WAS DESTROYED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER THE CRASH. THE FRONT OF THE LIMOUSINE WAS "SHEERED" OFF. THERE WERE THREE FATALITIES AND ONE INJURY. THE CONTACT WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND ADMITTED TO THE ICU. THE POLICE RESPONDED AND FILED A POLICE HOMICIDE CASE REPORT # 246/7/9-06. THE VEHICLE WAS
2009-11-25, Air Bags
2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CL55 LOW-SPEED (25-35MPH) HIGH-ACCELERATION HEAD-ON IMPACT WITH A LIMOUSINE (APPROX. 45MPH) WHERE THE CL55 DASH MOUNTED AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST, AND THE CL55'S INTEGRATED SEATBELT WORN BY THE PASSENGER AND SOLE SURVIVOR RESULTED IN THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT-BACK BY 45-DEGREES WITHOUT IMPOSING A NOTABLE INJURY TO THE PASSENGER'S RIGHT SHOULDER. DUE TO THE INSTANTANEOUS NATURE OF THIS INCIDENT THE DRIVER INSTINCTIVELY BRACED HIMSELF....ON THE ACCELERATOR BEFORE IMPACT. THE 516FTLBS OF TORQUE OF THE CL55 SPEARED THROUGH THE FRONT END OF THE LIMOUSINE SHEARING THE LIMO'S ENTIRE FRONT CLIP, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION OFF UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOLDING
2009-03-11, Seat Belts
1. EXITING A CURVE ON A WINDY ROAD AT APPROX. 30MPH, DRIVER APPLIED THROTTLE CAUSING AN AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT INTO A 516FTLB TORQUE LUNGE. WITH NO STEERING CONTROL IN 1-SECOND WE WERE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. DRIVER FOUGHT TO REGAIN CONTROL DURING SECOND NO. 2. THEN A LIMO BLEW THROUGH A STOP SIGN ON A MERGE LANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. BOTH DRIVER'S BRACED ON THEIR GAS PEDALS. 2. THE MERCEDES CL & SL CLASSES HAVE THE SAME FRONT SEATS WITH AN INTEGRATED SEAT BELT SYSTEM. SINCE IT WAS ONLY CONNECTED TO THE SEAT, THE SEAT FAILED WITHOUT EVEN A BRUISE TO MY RIGHT SHOULDER (BY OVER 30-40 DEGREES). I WAS LEFT AGAINST THE DASH BOARD (WITH MY SEATBELT ON) THROWING LIMBS AT MY SURVIVAL. TO AD
2004-06-14, Equipment
VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A KEYLESS GO DEVICE. WHEN THIS DEVICE IS USED TO START THE VEHICLE IT IS NOT MOBILE. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, PUT IT INTO GEAR OR ACCELERATE. DEALERSHIP HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO TURN THE MOTOR OFF, AND FLAT BED THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE MODULE THAT OPERATES THIS DEVICE. THERE'S TSB ON THIS ISSUE. *AK *NM

2003 Mercedes-Benz CL Class questions

Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL Class have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL Class: Engine And Engine Cooling; Suspension; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL Class?

Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Seat Belts (3), Seats (2), Air Bags (2).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL Class has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other Mercedes-Benz CL Class years

Other 2003 Mercedes-Benz models