Most common 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz CLK500 complaints by model year
Best CLK500 years: 2003, 2006. Compare all years →
2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
My car after fueling leaks a very strong fuel smell enters my car. The strong fuel vapor will remain until the tank gets below 3/4. It will be there whether it is in motion, stationary, or at idle. My entire garage will smell of fuel during this time when the tank is full. I know Mercedes recalled the e class fuel tank because of this same issue. My CLK500 is the same as the e class but the convertible version. These are dangerous faulty tanks that need to be recalled in every vehicle they installed them in.
Strong smell of gas fumes at rear wheel well area when fuel tank is filled. Dealer found fuel leaking from the top of the fuel sending unit and was filling the recessed area on top of fuel tank with gas. The dealer said that the plastic sending unit has a small crack or pin hole and would have to be replaced. I found on the Mercedes Benz user blog that other clk owners had similar issues. I contacted Mercedes Benz USA and filed a complaint stating this is a fire hazard. They said that they could not assist me with this problem since the vehicle out of warranty. I feel this is a safety issue and should be taken care of by Mercedes Benz.
Seat belts
Vehicle show an SRS light issue on the dashboard, I took the vehicle many times to tyson's corner, va mercedez Benz dealership to figure what was the problem, and the dealership was unable to find the issue. After a lot of investigation I found out it May be the seatbelt buckles, or the child recognition emulator which are giving and issue. If he SRS light is on the airbags will not deploy in case of an accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz CLK500. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to restrain when the brake pedal was engaged and the supplemental restraint system warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.
2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 CLK500 rates average: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the CLK500 at the same age. 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500?
The fuel & propulsion system — 8 complaints, 57% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the seat belts (3) and stability & traction control (1).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500, 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 CLK500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003 and 2006. See the full Mercedes-Benz CLK500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 8% 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.