Reliability
Mercedes-Benz

CLS-Class (C219)

2006-2011 · Midsize Coupe · 4 engines
178 NHTSA Complaints
6 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
5 Crash Reports
View all 3 generations of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

5.0 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar midsize coupes

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

Owners filed 105 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize coupe fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 51.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.5 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall105 complaints against about 51 for similar vehicles
5.0
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.

By model year
  • 20064.6
  • 20074.5
  • 20086.5
  • 2009n/a
  • 2010n/a
  • 2011n/a

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

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Unidentified Engine

19 complaints 4.8 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
9
brakes
3
safety systems
3
engine
2
cooling
2
Show 2 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.

3.0-V6-Gas

3.0L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1

Same engine used in

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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.

Fuel System: 88 owner complaints
Brakes: 31 owner complaints
Wheels & Tires: 19 owner complaints
Transmission: 14 owner complaints
Electrical System: 14 owner complaints

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Recalls (6)

24V874000Nov 19, 2024serious
Visibility

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.

22V954000Dec 23, 2022serious
Visibility

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.

21V196000Mar 19, 2021serious
Visibility

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.

19V918000Dec 20, 2019serious
Visibility

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

08V303000Jul 7, 2008serious
Electrical System

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
05V133000Apr 1, 2005cosmetic
Service Brakes

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.

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.

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