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Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class VIN Check

NHTSA holds 227 owner complaints on the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class from 163 production runs; the worst run has 5, the typical one 1.4.

NHTSA complaint records · 227 complaints · 163 runs · 2002–2009 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported CLK-Class run is WDBTK56F47T (2007 builds) with 5 complaints, 3.6× the typical run. Fuel/propulsion system problems make up 24% of reports; 2007 is the worst model year at 1.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for CLK-Class model years 1999–2009.

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 CLK-Class has 163 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 9% of every CLK-Class complaint on file.

FIG.01·Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
WDBTK56F47T••••••20075——
WDBTJ56J76F••••••20065——
WDBTK56F28T••••••20084——
WDBTK56GX6T••••••20063——
WDBTJ65JX5F••••••20053—1
WDBTJ65J34F••••••200431—
WDBTK56F57F••••••20073——
WDBTK56FX7T••••••20073——
WDBTJ56H17F••••••20073——
WDBTJ56H67F••••••20073——
WDBTK65G74T••••••200431—
WDBLK70G53T••••••20033——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 151 CLK-Class runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 22 CLK-Class VINs so far, most often 2003, 2009, 2007 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 CLK-Class the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 2007 car draws 1.5 complaints per run, a 2009 one 1.

FIG.02·Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20091991
20081.315121
20071.54933—
20061.543282
20051.43022—
20041.436263
20031.427194
20021.118161
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2007 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2009 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 24% of everything Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class owners report: Fuel/propulsion System, 49 of 227 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Fuel/propulsion System49——
Electrical System43—3
Air Bags319—
Seat Belts191—
Power Train181—
Seats1411
Engine14—1
Exterior Lighting13——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 8 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2009. 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 CLK-Class — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
24V874000Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly2003–2009
22V954000Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly2003–2009
19V918000Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly2003–2009
08V303000Electrical System2003–2008
21V196000Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly2006–2007
22V168000Exterior Lighting:lighting Control Module:software2009
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

24V874000 was opened in 2024 on cars built from 2003: 21 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 227 reports on the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, 5.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class — complaint severity
OutcomeMercedes-Benz CLK-ClassAll vehicles
Complaints filed2271,115,966
Involved a crash12 (5.3%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire5 (2.2%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported1458,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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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 CLK-Class share of that is 227 complaints over 163 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.

Everything on the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
Recalls32 campaignsReliability4.0/5Common problems268 complaintsUsed prices685 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1998–2009

Frequently asked questions

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

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 227 NHTSA complaints from 163 CLK-Class runs and 8 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which CLK-Class production run has the most complaints?

WDBTK56F47T, a 2007 build, with 5 complaints. The typical CLK-Class run has 1.4.

Which CLK-Class years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2007 is heaviest at 1.5 complaints per run and 2009 lightest at 1.

How many CLK-Class complaints involve a crash?

5.3% of 227 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 5 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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