CLS-Class (C219)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
5.0-V8-Gas
5.0L 8-cyl / 302 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
5.5-V8-Gas
5.5L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
5.4-V8-Gas
5.4L 8-cyl / 469 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
6.2-V8-Gas
6.2L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.0-V6-Gas
3.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
On a used 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the fuel system (88), the brakes (31) and the wheels and tires (19). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 88 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class about the fuel system, all engines combined.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class about the brakes.
- Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class about the wheels and tires.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class about the electrical system.
Recalls (6)
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.
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.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2007 C350, C230, C280, CLK350, E320CDI, E350 Wagon, E350, 2006 C55 AMG, CLK500, CLS500, CLS55 AMG, E500 Wagon, E500, E55 AMG, 2007 CLK550, CLS550, CLS63 AMG, E550, E63 AMG, and E63 Wagon AMG vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
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
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
Show 1 older recall
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM MAY PREMATURELY SHIFT TO THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP FUNCTION MODE, DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTION, OR DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.
All Generations
Alternatives in Midsize Coupe
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class complaints?
Owners have filed 178 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. The systems they name most often are the fuel system, the brakes and the wheels and tires.
Is the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 178 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class have?
NHTSA has 178 owner complaints on file for the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the fuel system, the brakes and the wheels and tires, 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 CLS-Class have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 178 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.