About 3 years ago, the passenger side of my door started randomly swinging open while I was driving. It was extremely dangerous and almost caused a serious accident the first time it happened. I spent over $1000 to get it fixed. Now, I am 7 months pregnant and it is happening again to the drivers side door. I cannot even drive the car now, because it doesn’t latch at all when I shut the door. I have to figure out a way to keep it shut so I can take it to get fixed again. It was completely unwarranted both times, almost causing serious accidents. I have seen blog posts online of this same incident happening with the same car. This needs to be recalled immediately, and drivers shouldn’t have to pay top dollar (or their life) to fix an issue Mercedes bad door locking mechanism created.
The worst 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Seat belts6
- Airbags4
- Electrical4
- Transmission2
- Body1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Seat belts6
- Airbags4
- Electrical4
- Transmission2
- Body1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Seats1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
Recalls 3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall is an expansion of previous the federal safety agency recall number 22V‑954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Recall number 24V874000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall expands the federal safety agency recall number 19V‑918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Recall number 22V954000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- 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:
- Risk
- A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Recall number 19V918000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 47
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
- Noises/ squealing from the service brake in various driving situations and ambient conditions
- 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
2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
What 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I purchased 4 new tires, my car calls for a staggered fitment (225/45R17 DOT# 1RB7RR9872922 and 1RB7RR9811521 up front and 245/40R17 DOT# 1RB8NR981112 and 1RB8NR9811022 in the rear). Upon returning home, I noticed the tires were installed backwards with the wider ones up front. This will cause the tires to rub the shock absorbers and will lead to tire blowouts and likely much more damage to my vehicle or injury to myself and or others. I called Firestone when realizing this and they said to bring it back and they would fix it. Had I trusted the professionals to do their job correctly and not double checked their work I would have blown out the two front tires within a few thousand miles; fortunately for me, I do not trust anyone to work on my vehicles but myself. Coincidentally, Firestone has an advertisement in their lobby that says "Fixed right or its free guarantee. Ask for details." When I asked the store manager about the sign, I was literally laughed at and told I am not getting free tires. They need to be held accountable for their advertisements and either refund me the purchase amount or they need to remove / edit their signs likely at all 22,000+ locations nationwide.
The vehicle during a severe accident, in which the other drivers air bags were deployed, our vehicles airbags did not in fact deploy at any rate. Which put all passengers in severe danger causing injuries that could have been avoided if they worked properly. Also the drivers seat belt (which was worn at the time of the accident) due to the immense collision at one point clicks unhinged and would no longer actively snap back causing multiple injuries as well. This incident will call for suit.
The airbags deployed on their own without a collision. I was driving 30 MPH on a residential street with roads in excellent condition when all the sudden the steering wheel and passenger dash airbags went off out of n o where.
Engine light came on , windshield wipers stopped working, drivers side window stopped working, multiple error lights, on multiple dates.
On o around september 14, 2016 I fueled this auto I recently purchased as a second car. My garage began to wreak heavily of gasoline. My home is totally electric and I have no gas powered items in there. My other vehicle never smells and I have had it 2 years. I removed the mb and the smell no longer existed, eliminating any other source. I researched this complaint on the internet and was shocked at the number of complaints ignored and the obvious impending dangers. This car had only 68000 miles and seems to have been serviced frequently per car fax. Per internet complaints this travesty was never recognized b mbusa and owners were left holding the lemon and dealers got away as well. I am concerned because I do not know what else is connected to this fuel dilemma! I know the dangers and I do not want it to erupt in fire and destroy me, my house nor my new porsche! This seems costly and an accident awaiting to happen. I cannot understand why others with documented problems on the internet have not registered a complaint with you. I am appalled and chagrined at mbusa for allowing this problem to exist. I will be contacting every one I am able to regarding the serious and eminent danger of this fuel line malady.
The automatic transmission has developed a condition that causes the transmission to shift very roughly at low speeds. This shifting causes the vehicle to jerk and stutter when down shifting or shifting from 1st or 2nd gear. I have had a transmission service, replacement transmission, replacement radiator all installed to no avail. The condition is at best a nuisance, and at its worst a safety concern. This rough shifting occurs in the lower gears, and at lower speeds.
We would like to submit a complaint. We own a 2004 clk320 which has presented with continuing problems. When we purchased the vehicle, the rear axle alignment was defective in which required realignment and rear tire replacement. At 21,937 miles the car presented with transmission shifting problems. The car would jerk/stall while being driven. It was very dangerous as it was difficult to merge with traffic, but most importantly, we felt we were going to get rear-ended and cause an accident. The mercedes-benz dealer service department diagnosed the problem which required the transmission to be flushed. Then again at 28,714 miles the vehicle presented with recurring transmission shifting problems, jerking & stalling.. We scheduled a mercedes-benz department service and the diagnoses was to replace the entire transmission replace at over $9,000. We requested that mercedes-benz of america replace or assist us with the repair of the vehicle at no cost to us the customer since the vehicle is a "lemon". The mercedes benz representative said that he would contact the dealer and get back to us within 24 hours. We never heard back from him even after leaving numerous voice mail messages. We have searched online and found numerous similar transmission complaints. This problem is extremely dangerous and is a safety issue and mercedes-benz should recall this vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz clk320. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the driver's side seat belt failed while the SRS panel warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on three separate occasions. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz clk320. The contact stated that the front driver side automatic seat belt webbing would not retract. The vehicle was taken to an independent auto shop and an authorized dealer and they both stated that the seat beat assembly would need to be replaced to correct the problem. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Updated 07/13/11
Compare the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320
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Questions about the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320
Is the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 reliable?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320, close to a typical CLK320 model year.
What is the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 year score?
The 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 scores 72 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz CLK320: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320?
Seat belts, with 6 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles. Next is airbags (4).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 have?
3 recalls, covering visibility.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK320 range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 24 highway.
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