1999 Mercedes Benz CLK430
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › CLK430 › 1999
These records cover every 1999 Mercedes Benz CLK430. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
11 complaints2 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine · Suspension · Wheels
On friday may 30, 2014, at approximately 0200, I was getting on the freeway on 880-S in downtown oakland. I was driving in the far left lane, and there was construction going on. While I was driving I felt a large bump, and immediately I tried to pull to the shoulder. I looked back and saw it was a…
On friday may 30, 2014, at approximately 0200, I was getting on the freeway on 880-S in downtown oakland. I was driving in the far left lane, and there was construction going on. While I was driving I felt a large bump, and immediately I tried to pull to the shoulder. I looked back and saw it was a large log. I filed a report with the chp, and they told me to contact the department of transportation. Because of this incident, my car cannot drive, and my fiance uses this car for work and school. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling
I was stuck in traffic and car stalled out in the middle of rush hour. I could not re start for about 40 min. It shut down two more times before I got home.this was a bad situation, very dangerous. I had no where to go to get out of the way. turns out to be a bad crankshaft position sensor. *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz clk430. the contact stated that the gear cluster pixel has faded out, preventing him from seeing what gear he IS in when driving. the failure was noticed while driving 55 mph. mercedes benz stated that all of their vehicles are designed that way and refuse to repair his vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 73,000.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Failed crankshaft position sensor left my car dead in very heavy highway traffic during rush hour. The crankshaft position sensor IS notoriously failure-prone on the 8-CYL mercedes models. This IS obviously (from the number of complaints) a defective part and needs to be recalled right away.…
Failed crankshaft position sensor left my car dead in very heavy highway traffic during rush hour. The crankshaft position sensor IS notoriously failure-prone on the 8-CYL mercedes models. This IS obviously (from the number of complaints) a defective part and needs to be recalled right away. Failure of the crankshaft position sensor renders the car immediately and suddenly immobile. This IS a potentially life threatening defect. *nm
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Dt: the vehicle caught on fire under dashboard after it was parked. It set for a short time. There was no forewarning. the fire department put out the fire. The insurance company did an investigation, and stated that the fire was due to a malfunction in wiring from distribution panel and the…
Dt: the vehicle caught on fire under dashboard after it was parked. It set for a short time. There was no forewarning. the fire department put out the fire. The insurance company did an investigation, and stated that the fire was due to a malfunction in wiring from distribution panel and the fuse grid to the dashboard. This happened on may 10, 2003. Consumer contacted the dealer and manufacturer, and received no satisfaction. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
At roughly 80,000 miles, began receiving ABS and esp warning lights, intermittently at first and then increaing in frequency, so that now they are on roughly half the time. mechanic diagnosed ABS control module fault code c1120 ("standstill calibration of yaw rate sensor erroneous") and confirms…
At roughly 80,000 miles, began receiving ABS and esp warning lights, intermittently at first and then increaing in frequency, so that now they are on roughly half the time. mechanic diagnosed ABS control module fault code c1120 ("standstill calibration of yaw rate sensor erroneous") and confirms that I am without ABS when warning lights are on. mecedesbenz technical service bulletin number af42.45-u-8103a (dated 22 jun 2000) indicates that this defective ABS control module part was replaced in production starting in 2000, and was replaced in field as a recall item for some period of time thereafter, on report from regional technical coordinator. my attempt to have mbusa replace this part (cost approx. $1100) has been refused. attempting to have part covered by aftermarket warranty company as well but a significant safety defect IS still present in this vehicle and I believe that mbusa should replace control module.*ak
- Air bags · Structure
This IS another example of the defect reported in odi ID number 769483: crack in passenger-side airbag cover (1999 mercedes-benz clk430). at this point I consider this to be a cosmetic defect only but would like to be notified if it turns out that there IS a safety issue. *nm
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
Transmission broke down. While was going in reverse fordward gear went on ,making a loud noise put the lever on neutral and car still going forward
- Air bags
Crack along passenger side front air bag on the dash board, IS air bag going to exploded? dealer wants to charge $2500. I have discussed with other CLK owners and found out it's actually a quite common problem with the mercedes CLK, should nhtsa ask mercedes for recall? if air bag deploys and causes injury/accidents while driving, could be devastating. dt
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
I was doing around 55 and the road was curving slightly when I suddenly saw a large object in the middle of the road. I could not go to the other lane because a car was right next to me so I slammed on the brakes, I felt ABS kicking in and was finally able to go around the object which turned out…
I was doing around 55 and the road was curving slightly when I suddenly saw a large object in the middle of the road. I could not go to the other lane because a car was right next to me so I slammed on the brakes, I felt ABS kicking in and was finally able to go around the object which turned out to be a large cardboard box. At this point IS where I encounter my problem, I give the car gas to proceed down the road, the car just revs as if it was in neutral, I look down at my shifter and it IS in d. I shift down to lower gears and nothing. Now I'm nervous because I see cars coming to my rear and there IS no emergency lane on this road. After 30 seconds of no connection between engine and trans, the trans finally engages and I am able to proceed.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
The vehicle started back firing and stalling, it suddenly lost all power. traction lights illuminated on the dash. When the consumer pulled to the side , engine began smoking and the caught on fire. Fire was put out by the fire department dealer has been contacted. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Engine crankshaft pulley failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer…
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all mercedes-benz vehicles using the subject component.the subject component failures are progressive in nature and only a small percentage of the complaints and warrant claims involved a failure that had progressed far enough to effect power steering performance (6 of 55 odi complaints reference increased steering effort).there have been no crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation IS closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see summary report attached for further detail.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10181124Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10166976Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual"
- 10166081Noise complaints when load on backrest frame changes. Affects the driver and front passenger seats. Also perform the remedial action if you are performing work on: - backrest frame - backrest cover or - guide rail of head restraint. If the backrest frame is exposed as a result, the actions must always be performed in order to avoid follow-up repairs.
- 10151959Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
- 10136041Selector lever blocks in position "P" (brake applied)
- 10135628iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8
- 10015377Revised repair procedure and additional applicable models. Model 170, 202, 208 and 210 models. Front fog lamp(s) inoperative. Mercedes-benz. Model years: 1994-2004. Updated 09/09/08.
Every Mercedes Benz CLK430 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.