2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class Reliability Score: 9.3 out of 10

Reliability Score

9.3 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar luxury sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 3 powertrain complaints. A typical luxury sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 21.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall3 complaints against about 21 for similar vehicles

9.3

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

3.2-V6-Gas

3.2L 6-cyl / 215 hp

20 complaints 20.0 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

6

other

4

interior

4

safety systems

4

body

3

Same engine used in

JEEP Grand Cherokee (2011-2021)MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class (2003-2009)CHRYSLER Concorde (2000-2004)AUDI A5 (2008-2016)JEEP Wrangler (2007-2018)AUDI A6 (2005-2011)

+29 more

Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class Unidentified Engine

6 complaints 6.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

2

safety systems

1

interior

1

wheels tires

1

exterior

1

5.0-V8-Gas

5.0L 8-cyl / 302 hp

3 complaints 3.0 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior

1

steering

1

wheels tires

1

4.3-V8-Gas

4.3L 8-cyl / 275 hp

3 complaints 3.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

1

electrical

1

body

1

Same engine used in

MERCEDES-BENZ ML-Class (2006-2011)MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class (2000-2006)MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class (2000-2002)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical System: 7 owner complaints

Interior: 5 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 5 owner complaints

All Generations

20022002 20032003 20042004 20052005 20062006 20072007 20082008

Alternatives in Luxury Sedan

1 engine / 25 complaints

1 engine / 83 complaints

1 engine / 29 complaints

1 engine / 17 complaints

3 engines / 593 complaints

1 engine / 17 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2003-2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class complaints?

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the interior and the safety systems.

Is the 2003-2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class have?

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2003-2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003-2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class.

What should I check before buying a used Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the interior and the safety systems, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Clk-Class have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Clk-Class. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 32 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.