2000 Mercedes Benz Cl500 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." WHEN THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS ARE ACTIVATED, THE XENON LAMPS ARE AIMED TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SURFACE. IN THE HIGH BEAM MODE THE LIGHT FROM THE XENON BULBS ARE REDIRECTED AND ADDITIONAL HALOGEN BULBS ALSO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED. WHE…
What could happen: DRIVERS IN INCOMING VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED GLARE FROM THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AIM OF THE HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULBS IN THE HIGH BEAM MODE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 CL500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V247000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-367-6372.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." WHEN THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS ARE ACTIVATED, THE XENON LAMPS ARE AIMED TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SURFACE. IN THE HIGH BEAM MODE THE LIGHT FROM THE XENON BULBS ARE REDIRECTED AND ADDITIONAL HALOGEN BULBS ALSO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE COMBINATION OF XENON BULB AND HALOGEN BULB EXCEED THE PERMITTED LIGHT OUTPUT.
Consequence: DRIVERS IN INCOMING VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED GLARE FROM THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AIM OF THE HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULBS IN THE HIGH BEAM MODE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2000 Mercedes Benz Cl500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (3), Electrical system (2), Engine (1), Lights (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
11/25/2015 · Suspension · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEARLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…
07/08/2015 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO WORK AND WENT COMPLETELY BLANK SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSES MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. T…
09/23/2014 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL IS TOO LOW PLEASE STOP VEHICLE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FLU…
07/08/2013 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE LATER STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…
06/25/2010 · Suspension · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 (N/A). WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL POP COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUSPENSION HOSE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SE…
10/16/2006 · Electrical system
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DID NOT ILLUMINATE PROPERLY ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #06V028000 REGARDING INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE…