Most common 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz CLK Class complaints by model year
Best CLK Class years: 2004. Years to avoid: 2001. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class:
Sudden engine shut down
Transmission malfunction
The petitioner alleges that coffee from a cup, placed in the cup holder, spilled onto the gear shifter and shut down the vehicle?s entire electrical system. The concern raised by the petitioner was investigated (sq01-010) and was closed after odi concluded that the facts did not demonstrate a safety-related defect.odi has subsequently received nine more complaints alleging fluid contamination of the transmission…
What 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class owners say
Electrical system
The instrument cluster in my 2001 Mercedes-Benz clk430 does not function properly. The pixels in the gear selector, temperature and clock section do not light up. This makes it impossible to tell what gear the car is in, and poses a safety hazard. The "p" and "r" are difficult to distinguish. This car has transmission problems, and the necessity to identify which gear the car is in by "feel" is dangerous.
Dash LED's are failing causing the drive indicator to not register correctly. When I place it in gear because the lights go on and off as a bad connection I cannot tell what gear I am in. Also the same LED's for the clock and temp are failing in the same unit.
Engine & cooling
Dt: consumer was driving at 25- 30 MPH and the vehicle died on the road. The engine light did not come on. After taking the key completely out and re-inserting the key the vehicle did crank back up. Had the vehicle towed to the dealer and they said it was crank shaft position sensor. This happened on September 4, 2005.
While driving, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unsuccessful. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the problem could not be duplicated. The consumer informed the mechanic that problem has occurred more than once . Please fill in additional information.
Transmission & drivetrain
The automatic transmission in my 2001 Mercedes-Benz clk430 will frequently become stuck in only one gear. Most often 3rd gear, but sometimes 2nd. This is a terrifying situation for me, especially in traffic, as the automobile does not accelerate from a stop in 3rd gear and abruptly slows when letting off the accelerator in 2nd. 2nd gear also limits the speed of the car significantly and has caused me to be the traffic slowdown at rush hour on many occasions. I have had several close calls, as I cannot get the car out of a busy intersection quickly or change lanes to make a turn when this is happening. I drive my children in this car and am afraid that a 3rd gear start or a 2nd gear abrupt slowdown or its severely limited velocity will cause an accident and they May get hurt. The only way to remedy this situation is to pull over, shut off the car and restart it. …
1st, in May 2006, I was parking my 2001 Mercedes Benz, CLK-430, into parking lot at 7-11 store. I place the shifter into p (park). The engine was still running at this time. I remove my foot off the brake pedal, the car running back out of the parking stall as if it was in the reverse gear. I placed my foot back on the brake pedal to stop the car movement. I place the shifter back in the drive location and drive the car back to the original place. And place the shifter back in park and again the car start rolling backwards. On the same evening , I drove home from the 7-11 store and park the car in my driveway, yes it again. I used the emergency braking this time. …
2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 4.3L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 CLK Class rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the CLK Class at the same age. It is one of the CLK Class years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class?
The electrical system — 5 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and transmission & drivetrain (4).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz CLK Class?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001. See the full Mercedes-Benz CLK Class years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.