2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class Problems

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Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

8 complaints

For several months I been smelling different odors from my 2012 CLS550, getting stronger as the weeks go by now smelling like gas, would noticed puddles whenever I parked from rear driver side area towards middle, just got the news from the mechanic that the driver side fuel gas pump is cracked and leaking gas and passenger side is also cracked. Labor + parts $1,660.00..

Oct 03, 2025

I have a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 that is leaking fuel from the rear driver side by the tire. You can smell fuel inside the cabin of the vehicle very strong. On the vin plate on my door it says in my vehicle is built on April 2011 which would qualify it for the recall from Mercedes. Per NHTSA.

Sep 12, 2025

There is a strong odor of gasoline coming from the drivers side rear. I conducted a Google search on the issue and there are a lot of instances of the same thing. It appears to be the Gas Tank Sending Unit, they have a tendency to crack and leak.

Jul 27, 2025

I have Mercedes Benz CLS 550. Whenever I fill up a tank full, I smell gas in the CAR and in my garage. After researching the cause of this issue , I found its a common issue with Mercedes Benz older vehicles where the fuel sender unit cracks and start leaking Gas which is located under the rear seat driver side. Mercedes Benz sent a recall notice for same problem for older vehicles from 2006-2008 to fix this issue. Below are the steps to reproduce the issue 1. Fill the car up. 2. Drive straight home. 3. Park in the driveway. 4. Take rear seat out(pull up on the leading edge of the lower cushion...there are 2 tabs to depress then the seat comes up) 5. 8mm socket and take the drivers side inspection cover off. 6. There will be a fuel lake around that sender.

Mar 19, 2025

UNKNOWN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS REFUELED THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. IF YOU CHECK CARCOMPLIANTS. COM THE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT.. IN THE ARTICLE @ CAR COMPLAINTS .COM THE NHSTA CLAIMS IT KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT SINCE MERCEDES BENZ HAS COMPLETELY IGNORED THE THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NEITHER OF YOU HAVE NOT FOLLOWED THRU WITH MERCEDES BENZ'S OFFER TO EXTENDED A WARRANTY TO 15 YEARS FOR ALL THESE CARS , IE E CLASS, CLS550 AND OTHERS, MB DENIES THIS IS A PROPLEM ,THE NHTSA IS PART OF THE ISSUE SINCE THEY HAVE NOT ENFORCED THE PROMISE BY Mercedes BENZ TO RECALL AND EXTEND THIS ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES , since they refuse to acknowledge this issue my next step is a major class action against MB and NHSTA FOR NEGLINCE IN FOLLOWING UP ON MB PROMISES WHICH WERE MADE IN RETURN FOR THE NHSTA NOT ENFORCING A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES.

Mar 02, 2022

+ 3 more complaints for this component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

The vehicle sunroof exploded while traveling on the interstate. Stopped and inspected the vehicle to find no impact objects inside the vehicle. Later reviewed online that this was a common problem with this modern Mercedes and the item is already under recall but not my year. I have a 2012 and the recall stops at 2011 although 2012 sunroofs are exploding too

Jan 27, 2025

The rear subframe rusted from the inside out causing structural failure of the subframe. This lead to twisting of the chassis under hard braking causing difficulty in controlling the vehicle. As you can imagine, controlling a vehicle when needing to abruptly stop is very important. The rear end felt like it was getting loose and it was very difficult to keep the car moving straight. This type of rust isn't typical on a 10 year old car with only 85,000 miles on it. This is a known issue on other Mercedes Benz models, notably the W204/C Class, to the point where it was recalled in Canada and covered under the European corrosion warranty. However, nothing is covered in the US even though this issue is known by Mercedes in other countries. This has been repaired at my expense. There were no warning messages. This vehicle has been dealer-serviced for most, if not all, of its life and this was missed on every single multi-point inspection done to the vehicle. Had I not been cognizant of how my car should drive and handle or not been able to afford the repair out of pocket, this would escalate and worsen to a bigger issue that could have eventually lead to my own injury or death or that of others.

Dec 15, 2022

It has been confirmed by a glass company that the car has an improper seal/bonded windshield. The windshield is the original and the car has never been in an accident. A few years ago, i noticed a rattling that I was unable to identify. This was reported during one of the regular maintenance services but the sound was not replicated (as it would happen more often when cold). Recently, the sound has gotten worse, and I had a water leak so I suspected the windshield. As I have already stated the problem was confirmed, and you can literally push on the windshield from the inside and it lifts up. Needless, to say, this is a safety issue. Having owned several cars, I have never had such a problem and would not have expected it from a high-end vehicle.

Mar 26, 2022

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon adjusting the sun visor, the sun visor detached, compromising driving visibility. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the sun visor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Sep 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Sep 08, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

2 complaints

CAM LINK SENSOR LEAKS OIL ONTO ENGINE HARNESS, FRYING ALL ELECTRIC COMPONENTS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STUTTER WHILE OPERATING

Dec 16, 2020

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 6MONTH OLD BABY AND SUDDENLY MY CAR SURGES AND LOSES POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND I MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WAIT A WHILE THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND HEAD BACK HOME. THE CEL STAYED ON BUT I STILL HAD ENGINE POWER SO I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. THIS CAR JUST HAS 60K MILES ON IT AND I TAKE IT TO MERCEDES FOR ALL THE ROUTINE CHECKS. SO THIS BEHAVIOUR WAS OUT OF NOWHERE. I DROVE IT TO MERCEDES AND GOT A DIAGNOSTIC DONE AND I WAS TOLD THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD LEAKED OIL INTO MY ENGINE HARNESS AND NOW I NEED TO FIX A LAUNDRY LIST OF THINGS AMOUNTING TO $6000. THIS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND I QUESTIONED EUROMOTORCARS IN GERMANTOWN MD HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. HOW CAN A MERCEDES THAT COST SO MUCH AND GOES THROUGH REGULAR MAINTAINABLE JUST BREAK SO SIGNIFICANTLY. ALL I GOT WAS A 'IT HAPPENS'! WELL I THINK NOT. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A WELL KNOWN FLAW WITH MERCEDES VEHICLES. THEY EVEN HAD RECALLS GO THE SAME ISSUE BUT THEY STOP AT THE 2011 MODEL. MY CAR IS 2012, EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE DUE TO THE INFERIOR PARTS USED DURING WHAT I CAN ONLY CLASSIFY AS A TERRIBLE ENGINEERING DECISION. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND PUT MYSELF AND MY BABY AT RISK. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME FLAW AND SAME DAMAGE TO THEIR MERCEDES, ON OLDER MODELS. WHY DOES THIS NOT APPLY TO THE 2012 MODEL WHEN IT IS BUILT WITH THE SAME INFERIOR PART AND EXHIBITS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A $6000 BILL THAT IS OF NO FAULT OF MINE. I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE DURING ANY OF MY MAINTENANCE VISITS THAT THIS SENSOR IS SOMETHING I NEED TO SERVICE OR REPLACE. HAD I KNOWN, THAT COULD HAVE SAVED ME A LOT OF RISK AND AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. IT APPEARS THIS IS A WELL KNOW ISSUE AND WELL KEPT SECRET WITH MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS.

Aug 25, 2018

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

Mercedes-Benz offers an extended warranty, effectively a 20-year/unlimited mileage coverage, for the rear subframe due to corrosion with perforation, covering specific model years my vehicles make and model are included. I’m having the issues they claim free repair for.

Oct 05, 2025

SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

Premature rusting on brake and fuel lines which lead to further issues with driveability and saftey. This us caused by the same defects leading to the Premature rust on the subframe that can cause a serious wreck on the interstate.

Aug 30, 2024

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE SO I BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS INTO THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU. ALL OF WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $6033.00 AND THE CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 50K MILES ON IT. SEVERAL PREVIOUS YEAR MERCEDES FROM 2011 AND EARLIER HAVE A RECALL ON THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS DUE TO OIL LEAKING FROM THEM INTO ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU HOWEVER MY YEAR CAR WHICH IS 2012 HAS NO RECALL ON THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY USE THE EXACT SAME CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS YEARS WHICH IS OIL LEAKING FROM THEM AND DESTROYING EXPENSIVE PARTS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Apr 09, 2020

ENGINE

1 complaint

WHEN STARTED AND FOR SOME PERIOD AFTER WARM UP THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTORS RATTLE. THE DEALER MECHANIC CLAIMS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE SPLIT RAIL SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE. THIS MAKES THE MOTOR APPEAR TO BE KNOCKING AS THE NOISE IS LOUD. I HAVE REPORTED IT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 2017.

Mar 07, 2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE VERY DAY I BROUGHT MY CAR HOME FROM A USED CAR PURCHASE, THE MOMENT I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK, THE MESSAGE CENTER SAID, " SOS SERVICE NOT ACTIVATED" IN A WARNING IN THE CENTER CLUSTER. IT WOULDN'T GO AWAY AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, SO I PUSHED THE SOS BUTTON AND MB ASKED ME, " WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY ?" I APPOLOGIZED AND EXPLAINED THAT I HAD RECEIVED A WARNING MESSAGE ON MY DASH. THEY ENDED THE CALL AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE WARNING WENT AWAY. THIS WAS ON FEB 1, 2018 AT 4:38 P.M.

Feb 27, 2018

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

DRIVE SHIFT CAME APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BROKE THE FRONT AXLE DIFFERENTIAL ON THE HIGHWAY

Mar 13, 2016

WHEELS

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ CLS-550 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER A ONE-MONTH PERIOD, ALL FOUR FACTORY TIRES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THREE TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE LOW PROFILE SO THAT IT WOULD PROPERLY FIT IN THE WHEEL WELL BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 TO 14,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Apr 09, 2014

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. T THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 980. *TR

Oct 05, 2012

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,878.

Aug 29, 2012

4.3/5.0

102 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class have?

The 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class currently has 24 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class?

The most common problems reported for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-Class comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.