The 2006 draws 4.25 complaints per run and the 2012 1.35, a 3.1-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 7 years of age, so 84.8% land after the 4-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Fuel/propulsion System, with 62 complaints, typically at 8.2 years.
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 3 | too new | |
| 2019 | 6 | 5 | yes | |
| 2015 | 7 | 6 | yes | |
| 2014 | 11 | 8 | yes | |
| 2013 | 4 | 4 | yes | |
| 2012 | 23 | 17 | yes | |
| 2011 | 7 | 7 | yes | |
| 2009 | 5 | 5 | yes | |
| 2008 | 18 | 11 | yes | |
| 2007 | 34 | 14 | yes | |
| 2006 | 102 | 24 | yes |
Among the 5 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2006, 2007, 2008; the three worth hunting are 2012, 2014, 2008.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 6.6% | covered | |
| 1 year | 11.4% | covered | |
| 2 years | 14.2% | covered | |
| 3 years | 15.2% | covered | |
| 4 years | 23.2% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 32.2% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 43.1% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 54% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 67.3% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 72% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 79.1% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 85.8% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 89.6% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 94.8% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 97.2% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 4 years / 50,000 miles. Only 15.2% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 84.8% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (4 years / 50,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 16% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, the early trouble is Wheels — reported at around 3.9 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Fuel/propulsion System at 8.2 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8.2 yrs | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 9.1 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 6.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 6.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Power Train | 5 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System | 7.5 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Wheels | 3.9 yrs | — | — | |
| Engine | 7.6 yrs | — | 1 |
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.09 against 3.73 for the average car.
Which CLS-Class years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2012, 2014, 2008. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do CLS-Class problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 7 years of age. The most reported system is Fuel/propulsion System, typically at 8.2 years, followed by Service Brakes.
Will the warranty cover CLS-Class problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 4 years / 50,000 miles, and only 15.2% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 16% of the complaints here.
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