The seat occupancy sensor on the passenger seat of this car is malfunctioning. This is a RECOGNIZED PROBLEM for Mercedes cars. There are numerous websites and YouTube videos describing this problem, offering replacement sensors, offering bypass kits and describing how to make this repair. (Please see attached for small sample). But Mercedes does not acknowledge this problem and has not responded to correspondence about the problem. Instead, the local dealer has said that it will cost >$1,000 to diagnose the problem and that they will probably have to replace the entire bottom section of the seat, which would cost at least $5,000 for parts and labor. This problem WILL cause the child safety seat feature to malfunction and may keep the passenger side airbag from deploying in a collision. The consumer stated the seat occupancy is defective and the parts are not available for his vehicle.
The worst 2003 Mercedes Benz CL55 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical2
- Airbags1
- Engine1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical2
- Airbags1
- Engine1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Mercedes Benz CL55 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
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamps leaking 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
- During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or...
What 2003 Mercedes Benz CL55 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The Instrument cluster has no light so I cannot see the speed. The dealer refuses the recall. RECALL - #06V028000
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 (na) mercedes benz cl55. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument cluster lights suddenly shut off and the driver was unable to read the instrument gauges. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz cl55. The contact stated that the active body control warning light remained illuminated. The dealer replaced the hydraulic fluid and reset the light however, the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have a diagnostic performed. The failure was located at the body control system, which was found to be corroded and caused the steel lining of the hoses to corrode and leak hydraulic fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 51,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz cl55 amg. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, he noticed that the active body control (abc) warning light was illuminated. Immediately after the warning light illuminated, the rear of the vehicle dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was advised that the abc system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred approximately two months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for further repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. The current mileage was approximately 105,471. The VIN was not available.
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Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz CL55
Is the 2003 Mercedes Benz CL55 reliable?
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz CL55, 2.5 times a typical CL55 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mercedes Benz CL55?
Electrical system, with 2 complaints. Next is airbags (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes Benz CL55 have?
No recalls on record.
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