2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 problems & reliability
20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 | 45% |
| Power Train | 4 | 20% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 10% |
| Structure | 2 | 10% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 5% |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 5% |
| Tires | 1 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 5% |
| Visibility | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The interior of the headlamp assembly was melted and burnt. Upon close examination all of the wiring inside and outside of the headlamp enclosure was deteriorated. The protective plastic covering over the wires were crumbling and had fallen apart, bare wires had been touching inside of the housing. The wiring on the…”
Electrical System · filed Apr 23, 2015
“We just purchased a 2002 mercedes benz clk 430. For barely two weeks and can't drive it. We are having major issue with the trunk to open because our battery is totally dead. We cannot jump cable the car because the batery is in the trunk and the trunk will not even open with the manual key that it comes with. I have…”
Power Train · filed Mar 20, 2014
“I own a 2001 mercedes-benz clk430. I have been experiencing intermittent sporadic failure of the abs, bas, esp systems when I apply the brake. On occasions the gas pedal sticks and the car speeds up to dangerous speed. The car has to be put in neutral and once stop and restart, it would run normal again, and the car…”
Service Brakes · filed Aug 10, 2013
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE03058 · opened Dec 17, 2003 · closed Apr 22, 2004
Technical service bulletins
15 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430. The 10 most recent:
Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor housing leaks. 3.2. Pump…
LI82.35-P-078467 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 23, 2024
Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly…
LI82.70-P-077433 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 28, 2024
Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a…
LI82.10-P-078307 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 21, 2024
Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the…
LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 10, 2024
Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical impairment of the rear lamps…
LI82.10-P-078069 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2024
Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage â ¢ Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). â ¢ Objects wedged between the seat backrest and seat…
LI91.18-P-077075 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 4, 2023
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
LI27.50-P-071658 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 30, 2020
Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
LI91 45-P-066075 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2018
iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8
LI82.70-P-060004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 14, 2014
Noise complaints when load on backrest frame changes. Affects the driver and front passenger seats. Also perform the remedial action if you are performing work on: - backrest frame - backrest cover or - guide rail of…
LI91.10-P-048497 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 12, 2014
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.