Most common 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz CLK320 complaints by model year
Best CLK320 years: 2005, 2001, 2004. Compare all years →
2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 recalls (3)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
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.
What 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 owners say
Wheels & tires
Blow out of right rear tire (costco item #758707 Bridgestone/Firestone re750 245/40r17 ultra high performance) resulting in $2000 worth of vehicle damage. Defective tire remnants sent to Bridgestone/Firestone. Their inspector denies that the tire failure was a result of a defect in materials or workmanship. I do not believe they have objectively evaluated the tire remains and are attempting to avoid excepting responsibilities for the blowout which would amount to covering my $2000 out of pocket expenses.
Dt*: the contact stated the automatic driver seat in the vehicle moved forward on its own, pushing the contact into the steering wheel. The vehicle was not recording the correct seat position of each driver. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer who was unable to duplicate the problem. Also, both front tires made a thumping noise while driving at any speed. A service dealer determined that the wear on the tread was uneven. Due to the vehicle having staggered wheels, the tires could not be rotated.
Electrical system
My 2005 Mercedes CLK320 caught fire due to an electrical short while I was driving on the freeway. I pulled over, the entire car was engulfed in flames and totaled. It started with smoke coming out of the ac vents. When I turned the ac off the smoke got worse and fire proceeded.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes Benz CLK320. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal was applied but the brakes failed to respond. In addition, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensotronic brake control needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,680.
2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 CLK320 rates better than average: 53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CLK320 at the same age. It is one of the best CLK320 years by this measure. 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320?
The wheels & tires — 3 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the electrical system (3) and seats (2).
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320, the most recent from November 19, 2024 (sun/moon roof assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz CLK320?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2001 and 2004. See the full Mercedes-Benz CLK320 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 36% 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.