I have a 2004 cl 500 mercedes. I have noticed that I have had a dead spot in the throttle response. I first thought maybe it was how I had my foot on the pedal but I figured out that wasn't it. I did notice that sometimes the car just wont go then lurches I almost hit someone in the post office parking lot. No response then it jumped forward. Last sunday, I went too make a left hand turn and no throttle response at all. I floored the pedal,the engine revved really hard but the car wouldn't move, except at a slow pace, I was almost hit by two other cars that had started to approach and they both had to skid to a stop to avoid hitting me. The car moved very slowly until I was out of the intersection, where I pulled over to let my heart stop beating out of my chest. I then started home and I had to floor it to get the 1.5 miles to my house..this car only has 49k miles and cost 139,000.00 new. I just sold a jaguar 2003 xjr and it had 85k miles on it and it had a 5 speed mercedes trans in it and I never had one days trouble with it. I also had the same car from a few years before with the 5 speed transmission and it never gave me a minutes trouble. I went back to my car about 15 minutes later and the car was fine. Monday morning I took it too the dealer and they told me it was the valve body. It will cost me 2,200.00 on a 49k mile car. He told me this has been happening alot on these 7 speed transmissions (in late 2003 as a 2004 model, mercedes introduced the new 7 speed transmission) and they have updated the valve body with one that doesn't do this. I have friends that had to repair the same thing but under warranty. I think this is a serious safety issue and should be investigated and fast. I can afford to fix the issue but I don't feel I should have too, I am told that the fluid in the trans gets into the electrical parts and shorts them out. This needs too be a full recall on all the early 7 speed transmission cars. The ones with the old part numbers. Please advise.
The worst 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission1
Recalls 1
Suspension
- What is wrong
- Mercedes benz is recalling 4,564 my 2001-2006 cl-class (model 215), my 2002-2006 s-class (model 220), my 2003-2007 sl-class (model 230), my 2007-2008 cl-class (model 216), and my 2007 s-class (model 221)passenger vehicles equipped with active body control (abc) acceleration sensors on the front struts. These sensors measure acceleration around the z-axis of the vehicle and assure an automatic adaptation of the front struts to maintain a relatively level body position. Variations in the soldering process resulted in soldering points on the board of the abc sensors which may not be within design tolerances. Signals from the affected sensors measuring the acceleration may not be accurately transmitted to the engine control unit.
- Risk
- A variation in the transmitted values between affected and unaffected sensors can result in one front strut adjusting to a value indicating body movement while another strut does not adjust presenting the driver with an uneven front suspension. This condition may lead to unexpected body movements at the front axle which can adversely influence the vehicle's directional stability and could lead to a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace, if necessary, the front abc sensors in all potentially affected vehicles. The recall began on september 22, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 08V405000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215 29
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
- Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper...
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamps leaking or fogged
- During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or...
- Washer fluid system leaks
What 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215
Other model years
2004
Questions about the 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215
Is the 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215, close to a typical CL215 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215 have?
1 recall, covering suspension.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2004 Mercedes Benz CL215?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history