The failed component of the car was the drivers side fuel transfer pump. After noticing the faint smell of gas in my car i checked under the rear driver side passenger seat. I was shocked to find more than 16 fluid ounces of gas floating freely around the well of the gas pump.the insulation under the rear passenger seat is soaked in gas. I can only imagine what could’ve happened if there was an accident or if someone even sparked a cigarette in my car. Not only is this extremely dangerous, there are negative consequences that result from inhaling gas constantly while driving. Gas contains cancerous properties, people should not be subject to unknowingly driving around a car that is manufactured to the defect of releasing cancerous vapors. Who knows what damage inhaling gas fumes for the past months has done to me or my passengers. In the even that someone were to spark a cigarette in the car it was possible that the car could’ve caught fire. The passengers in the rear right seats would be affected the most, the insulation under their seat is soaked in gas. This problem has possibly been noticed by dealers and identified in a warranty that expired on 4/24/2023. This warranty was issued for fuel tanks and fuel components. I am not sure whether the gas pump was affected but the gas pump alone constitutes a recall. This is a very common problem as well, apparently there are multiple youtube videos demonstrating gas leaks in the back seat. Upon contacting dealer I was informed that they did not know if the gas pump was included in a warranty that expired in 4/24/2023. I would have to pay for an inspection to determine if the gas pump is related to the warranty. In the case that it was related the financial obligation to repair is my burden. The dealer wont inspect the vehicle unless I pay, I have documented photo and video of the gas well and the extent of the leakage. There was no warning or any indication that I was driving around with this dangerous issue.
The worst 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Fuel system5
- Airbags3
- Electrical3
- Engine2
- Suspension2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system5
- Airbags3
- Electrical3
- Engine2
- Suspension2
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Lights1
- Steering1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
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
See all 3 recalls for the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550
Defect investigations
Loss of rear lighting assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) or illuminate dimly.In some reports, complainants also alleged that the failure was accompanied by a burning smell emanating from the trunk of the vehicle.When examined, these vehicles showed evidence of overheating at the lighting assembly harness connector, including damaged (blackened) wiring and plastic.The rear lighting failures typically involved one side of the vehicle however in some cases both assemblies failed (although probably not simultaneously).ODI identified 5 fire and one injury allegations during the course of this investigation.Two fires occurred while the vehicles were parked.One originated in the vicinity of the driver?s side light assembly where the fire and associated damage was confined to the trunk area, and the fire self extinguished due to oxygen starvation.As a result of the fire, the vehicle was repurchased by Mercedes and salvaged.The second fire originated on the passenger's side and required fire department response to extinguish; the fire damaged the tail light and surrounding body panels as well as the trunk area and wiring.The vehicle was repaired and returned to service.Two firesoccurred while the vehicle was being driven.In the first instance, the driver detected an odor and pulled over to observe smoking and a small flame at the lighting assembly wiring in the trunk.The owner was able to extinguish the fire before any significant damage occurred.In the second instance, the driver smelled smoke, pulled over, and opened the trunk to find smoke and sparks emanating from the forward facing side of the tail light.The driver was able to extinguish the sparks and drive the vehicle to the dealer. A fifth fire was reported by a fleet manager who observed a vehicle with fire damage originating near one of the tail light assemblies.The injury incident occurred when a technician burned their hand while diagnosing a failed light.The technician touched the tail light wiring which was hot enough to burn him although the injury did not require medical attention.On April 10th, 2014, Mercedes notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy the rear light assemblies in approximately 252,867 MY 2008 - 2011 C-Class vehicles including the C300, C350 and C63 AMG models.Each rear light assembly has separate bulbs that act as brake, tail lamp, backup and turn signal indicators.The bulbs are mounted in a bulb carrier which uses a common electrical ground circuit at the harness connection.According to Mercedes, oxidation due to the use of dissimilar metals on the harness and bulb carrier electrical connectors can result in increased resistance and a subsequent dimming or loss of lighting function.The heat caused by the increased resistance/oxidation can also lead to the melting of the surrounding plastic, or in some cases, present a fire hazard.In conducting recall 14V‑171, Mercedes dealers will inspect the left and right bulb carriers and harness connectors for the presence of dissimilar electrical connectors and/or evidence of related thermal damage; affected bulb carriers and/or harness connectors will be replaced free of charge.Mercedes notes that service replacement bulb carriers produced from January 2012 eliminate the dissimilar metal condition and that these bulb carriers will not requ
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Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 73
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The warranty on the SBC Hydraulic Unit for MY 2003-2006 Model 211, MY 2006 Model 219, and Model Year...
- In our continuing efforts to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has...
- 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)
What 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I bought a 2008 mercedes cls and have had it for a while now and with no warning it has started making a banging noise while idling. It idles very rough and shakes my car. I'm unable to drive it safely at this point. The engine is also mimicking symptoms of an idler gear/ balance shaft wearing down due to poor building materials from factory allowing movement of the timing chain. Apparently causing the engine to blow. I don't know what to do now. I don't know if it is covered by mercedes. But I know I am not alone on needing this to become a recall...
I see there was a recall on instrument clusters on my vehicle in 2001. My instrument cluster is completely black and I can’t see speed or any thing at night. You cant replace the bulb or cluster unless mercedes reprogram it which the price is rediculous. I did some research and seen that Mercedes did some recalls for my vehicle but it doesn’t show up. I was told to contact you guys in regards to this.
My doors will open without the keyfob being in close proximity to the vehicle. My car has been stolen d/t this feature. Also the electrical lighting system malfunctions causing dimmer lights especially when driving at night
My airbags deployed after on day of driving home from a day babysitting my niece and nephew I got home parked my car in the garage and that whole night from 11 at night untill about 330 in the morning the loudest sound I've ever herd the equivalent of a bomb detonation explosion went off and im 10 15 feet away painting my garage and next thing I know I look at my mercedes-benz cls550 2008. All the airbags in the roof and by the back window detonating! I cant understand why to this day the car was locked keys where in my room in the house. And I have no idea how this could of happened. ! Please get ahold of me at your earliest convenience because this is absolutely insane sometimes like this could happen in a high end luxury car. Again it's a 2008 mercedes-benz cls550. Vin# [xxx]. You can reach me if you have any questions at [xxx]. Or my email [xxx]. Thank-you. The car is currently at elite mercedes benz getting looked at I will have them send me photos to send to if you would like. Redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz cls550. The contact stated that at start-up the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The local dealer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The airbags located in the roof just deployed out of no where when I was on my way home from work only the 2 side curtain airbags
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz cls550 equipped with continental extremecontact sport tires, size: 245/40/zr18 (na). While driving 45 MPH, the TPMS warning indicator illuminated and the rear passenger tire blew out. The vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of stockton (located at 10777 trinity pkwy, stockton, ca 95219, (209) 944-5511). The contact requested that the tires be replaced, but the dealer declined to assist with having the vehicle repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 98,000 and the approximate tire failure mileage was 2,000.
Have gotten airbag code b9223. Drivers side iginition squib resisted center is high r12/9 message. Took it to.local.mb dealer and they want $1800 to fix a airbag problem, which is something that should be defect free regardless of warranty. This is an ongoing issues with mb and it honestly seems that this is done deliberately to generate revenue by selling service for almost $2000 to replace a $50 connector they know is manufactured in a subpar fashion, expecting it to fail. Mb has failed myself and countless others with this one simple problem. There needs to be a recall and they should be forced to fix this problem for their customers. Peoples lives are at steak.
Please advise of any mercedes benz recalls on air suspension issue with cls class vehicles, in particular, cls550 model. There seems to be a recurring issue with leak or malfunction with hydraulic air suspension causing vehicle to lean to one side and incur warning of "stop vehicle is too low".
Compare the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550
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Questions about the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550
Is the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 reliable?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550, close to a typical CLS550 model year.
What is the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 year score?
The 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz CLS550: 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 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 5 complaints. Next is airbags (3).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550 have?
3 recalls, covering visibility.
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