Description of Defect: I am reporting a chronic and dangerous structural failure of the factory-equipped alloy wheels on my 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4MATIC. Since purchase, this vehicle has suffered 8 documented incidents of wheel failure, consisting of 5 rim cracks and 3 complete wheel replacements. The failures are occurring under normal, paved driving conditions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This persistent cracking indicates a severe structural design defect where the wheel’s load rating is insufficient for the vehicle’s weight and low-profile tire configuration. Safety Risk: Each failure results in sudden and unpredictable loss of tire pressure. This creates a high risk of catastrophic tire deflation (blowouts) at highway speeds, which can lead to loss of vehicle control. Despite 7 prior repair/replacement attempts by both authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships (Park Place Dallas) and independent specialists, the defect persists. The vehicle is currently at the dealership for its 8th failure. I believe this wheel configuration is fundamentally unfit for purpose and poses a recurring threat to the safety of the driver, passengers, and other motorists.
The worst 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Wheels3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Wheels3
Recalls 3
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 CLS450, E450, E450 All-Terrain, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, and 2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The 48-volt ground cable connection located in the engine compartment may not be tightened properly and may result in the ground cable overheating.
- Risk
- An overheated ground cable increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the 48-volt ground cable connection and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024MMNNNN.
Recall number 24V100000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ADAS: blindspot: sensors
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 E450, E350, AMG E63 S, AMG E53, CLS450, AMG GT53, and AMG GT43 vehicles. Due to a software error, the exit warning system audio and visual warnings may fail to alert occupants about approaching vehicles.
- Risk
- Failure to alert occupants of an approaching vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the exit warning system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023080005.
Recall number 23V574000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
Recall number 23V445000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 114
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz...
- Fuel/propulsion system
- Sporadic warning message in instrument cluster "Engine oil pressure, stop switch off vehicle" (or similar)...
- Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic /9G‑TRONIC automatic...
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
- Red coolant warning in instrument cluster
- Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Customer complaints relating to automatic transmission 725.0 (NAG3 Classic / 9G‑TRONIC automatic...
- During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time
- Tailgate opens unintentionally
What 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
This vehicle has 6,600 miles on it. All 4 wheels have been bent driving on normal roads at normal speed. There have been 2 sidewall tire bubbles as a result. And after having all wheels straightened one of the wheels has now cracked. This caused the tire to deflate and the vehicle can no longer be driven. Is speaking with a wheel shop this is a known problem with this vehicle. Mercedes will not do anything about it.
The car is equipped with Continental ProContact GX SSR 245/40R19 runflat tires in the front. Since January of this year I have replaced the front tires 5 times. Once for the left front and four times for the right front. One time it was due to a bubble in the sidewall. Other four were from the sidewall tearing vertically in 2 places a few inches from each other. The pictures attached show how the tire failed four times. In the cases where the sidewall failed in some cases was from running over what felt like a shallow pothole and/or broken pavement. The broken pavement is one that I have gone over with another with non run flat tires multiple times without issue.
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Questions about the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450
Is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450, close to a typical CLS 450 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450?
Wheels, with 3 complaints.
How many recalls does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 have?
3 recalls, covering electrical system and fuel system, gasoline.
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