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Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN Check

NHTSA holds 60 owner complaints on the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class from 53 production runs; the worst run has 3, the typical one 1.1.

NHTSA complaint records · 60 complaints · 53 runs · 2003–2013 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported CL-Class run is WDBPJ74J03A (2003 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.7× the typical run. Suspension problems make up 19% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 1.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for CL-Class model years 2000–2012.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class has 53 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 20% of every CL-Class complaint on file.

FIG.01·Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
WDBPJ74J03A••••••2003333
WDBPJ74J93A••••••20033——
WDDEJ9EB3BA••••••20112—2
WDDEJ71X38A••••••20082——
WDBPJ74J65A••••••20052——
WDBPJ75J13A••••••20031——
WDBPJ74J43A••••••20031—1
WDBPJ75J94A••••••20041——
WDBPJ75J44A••••••200411—
WDBPJ75J84A••••••20041——
WDDEJ7KBXBA••••••20111——
WDBSK75FX5F••••••20051——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 41 CL-Class runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 10 CL-Class VINs so far, most often 2003, 2007, 2001 builds.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 2003 car draws 1.5 complaints per run, a 2004 one 1.

FIG.02·Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20111.265—
20081.198—
2007188—
2006188—
20051.354—
20041772
20031.51283
ROWS 7·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2003 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 19% of everything Mercedes-Benz CL-Class owners report: Suspension, 11 of 60 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Suspension11—3
Electrical System11—2
Air Bags922
Fuel/propulsion System8——
Seat Belts633
Steering5—3
Service Brakes5——
Power Train411
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 13 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class; the 6 below cover build years 2000 to 2012. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
08V405000Suspension2001–2008
06V028000Interior Lighting2000–2005
07V263000Suspension2000–2004
04V228000Suspension2001–2004
12V557000Fuel System, Gasoline2011–2012
08V303000Electrical System2004–2008
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

08V405000 was opened in 2008 on cars built from 2001: 7 years on the road before the recall.

The CL-Class against its rivals

The CL-Class draws 1.1 complaints per production run; the Infiniti M37 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class60531.18.3%
Infiniti M3772471.56.9%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 60 reports on the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, 8.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — complaint severity
OutcomeMercedes-Benz CL-ClassAll vehicles
Complaints filed601,115,966
Involved a crash5 (8.3%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire10 (16.7%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported758,013
Deaths reported92,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 43% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class share of that is 60 complaints over 53 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.

Everything on the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
Recalls41 campaignsReliability3.5/5Common problems72 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices186 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1998–2014

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 60 NHTSA complaints from 53 CL-Class runs and 13 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which CL-Class production run has the most complaints?

WDBPJ74J03A, a 2003 build, with 3 complaints, 3 of them after a crash. The typical CL-Class run has 1.1.

Which CL-Class years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 1.5 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 1.

Does the CL-Class get more complaints than the Infiniti M37?

No: 1.1 complaints per production run for the CL-Class against 1.5 for the Infiniti M37.

How many CL-Class complaints involve a crash?

8.3% of 60 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 10 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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