Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension3
- Electrical system2
- Interior lighting1
- Engine1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." WHEN THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS ARE ACTIVATED, THE XENON LAMPS ARE AIMED TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SURFACE. IN THE HIGH BEAM MODE THE LIGHT FROM THE XENON BULBS ARE REDIRECTED AND ADDITIONAL HALOGEN BULBS ALSO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE COMBINATION OF XENON BULB AND HALOGEN BULB EXCEED THE PERMITTED LIGHT OUTPUT.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11009122 | 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 fitting leaks. 3.3. Washer fluid hose cannot be snapped into place on pump fitting. 3.4. Washer fluid hose will not stay on pump fitting, although connector OK. 4. Washer fluid line. 4.1 Connector will not stay on pump fitting because it is broken. 4.2 Sealing ring in connector missing. 4.3 Sealing ring in connector fitted, but deformed and therefore leaks. 4.4 Damage to washer l |
| 11008091 | 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 difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. Seating of the microphones in the headliner. Side edges are covered by the textile cover (see picture "1") B. Assembly of microphones (B25/20 or B25/21) in the headliner. C. Dirt inside the microphone housing Remedy 1. Press finger on rear of microphone (on adhesive tape) 2. Remove microphone cap from the front 3. Eliminate protrudin |
| 11007974 | 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 technical impairment of the headlamp. A leak test must be performed to determine if physical fogging exists or if the headlamp is leaky. Remedy In advance, observe LI82.10-P-078301 "Headlamps or Front Fog Lamps Leaking or Fogged". 1. Prepare headlamp/check for external damage: For headlamps with a closed system 1. Check the headlamps for any external damage and check also for cor |
| 11007753 | 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 headlamp. Headlamps comply with all applicable standards. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the lamp unit is a "closed system". Remedy Headlamp: Remedy 1 Clearing fogged/condensed LED headlamps and LED rear lamps: 1. Drive vehicle into workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) and connect the exhaust extraction. Note: Do not perform an eng |
| 11005294 | 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. Remedy Rear lamp: Remedy 1: Clearing fogged/condensed rear lamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) Note: Do not wash the vehicle or subject it to high-pressure cleaning before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the trunk. 4. Switch on the exterior lighting. 5. Leave the ve |
| 10248162 | Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). Objects wedged between the seat backrest and seat cushion (e.g. seat belt buckle). Light initial creases due to vehicle handling. Light creases in the outer covers originating from the production process (missing finish). Heat treatment of the seat covers using heat gun and plastic wedge. Be very careful to not overheat the seat material! |
| 10181124 | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R |
| 10181123 | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D |
| 10167545 | During disengagement from D to N and/or from R to N some slight jolting could be experienced. |
| 10166982 | During disengagement from D to N and/or from R to N some slight jolting could be experienced. |
| 10166976 | Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual" |
| 10166099 | Pneumatic comfort systems with insufficient performance, entirely inoperative or leaky. |
| 10166091 | Front seat backrest locks at folded-forward position |
| 10165844 | Possible minor leakage at described components or oil transfer from assembly plant. |
| 10165839 | Shift quality complaints on TRANSMISSION 722.9 (7G-TRONIC and 7G-TRONIC PLUS) |
| 10151959 | Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises |
| 10135635 | Message in instrument cluster "ESP Malfunction - Service Required" |
| 10044181 | XENTRY: RATTLING/THUMPING NOISES FROM THE AREA OF THE STEERING ON ROUGH ROADS OR WHEN DRIVING OVER ROAD UNDULATIONS. NO MODEL YEARS GIVEN. ALSO INCLUDED MODELS 168 AND 172. *JS |
| 10037917 | MERCEDES-BENZE: THERE IS A LEAKAGE AT THE PRESS-FIT SLEEVE OF A PULSATION DAMPER. THIS IS CAUSED BY HIGH HEAT ENTERING THE SYSTEM OR TENSION IN THE LINE. *RM |
| 10028686 | MERCEDES: AIR MATIC VISIT WORKSHOP DISPLAYED WITHIN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. MODELS 164, 211, 219, 221 AND 251. INCLUDED 4MATIC, AMG (COMPRESSOR) AMG, BLUETEC AND WAGON. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE UPDATED 9/18/09. *PE |
| 10028684 | MERCEDES: ESP SERVICE REQUIRED DISPLAYED IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALSO INCLUDES 4MATICS, BI TURBOS AND KOMPRESSORS. MODELS 215 AND 220. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10028665 | MERCEDES: WARNING MESSAGE RIGHT LOW BEAM- CHECK BULB; OR LEFT LOW BEAM-CHECK BULB IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE XENON BURNER MAY NOT BE IGNITED ON FIRST ATTEMPT DUE TO TOLERANCES IN IGNITION VOLTAGE. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10028627 | MERCEDES: DISPLAY IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER "AIR SUSPENSION" OR "ABC SERVICE REQUIRED" IS DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE WIPER LINKAGE. MODELS 215.3 AND 220. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10028626 | MERCEDES: THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION LEVEL RANDOMLY LOWERING WHILE DRIVING AND/OR RAPID SPORADIC LEVEL CHANGES SHORTLY AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, REPLACE THE BODY ACCELERATION SENSORS. MODELS 215.3, 220, AND 230. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10020460 | PLAY IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. MODELS 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. MERCEDES BENZ. *KB UPDATED 5/13/09. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation