Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 CLS | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 CLS | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 CLS | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 CLS | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 CLS | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 CLS | 3 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Air bags1
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 10 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 12.9–16.7 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | CLS 63 AMG 4MATIC · Compact · Premium gasoline | 15.1 | 10.8 | 13.1 |
| 2014 | CLS 63 AMG 4MATIC · Compact · Premium gasoline | 15.1 | 10.7 | 13.1 |
| 2013 | CLS 63 AMG · Compact · Premium gasoline | 15.2 | 10.2 | 12.9 |
| 2012 | CLS 63 AMG · Compact · Premium gasoline | 15.2 | 10.2 | 12.9 |
| 2011 | CLS 63 AMG · Compact · Premium gasoline | 19.7 | 13.1 | 16.7 |
| 2010 | CLS 63 AMG · Compact · Premium gasoline | 19.7 | 13.1 | 16.7 |
| 2009 | CLS 63 AMG · Compact · Premium gasoline | 19.6 | 13.1 | 16.7 |
| 2008 | CLS 63 AMG · Compact · Premium gasoline | 19.6 | 13.1 | 16.7 |
| 2007 | CLS 63 AMG # · Compact · Premium gasoline | 19.5 | 13.0 | 16.6 |
| 2006 | CLS 500 # · Compact · Premium gasoline | 16.8 | 11.7 | 14.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
969 CLS cars are on the New Zealand register; 64% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| 2019 | 21 | 10 | 11 |
| 2018 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| 2017 | 10 | 4 | 6 |
| 2016 | 17 | 11 | 5 |
| 2015 | 44 | 20 | 23 |
| 2014 | 51 | 17 | 34 |
| 2013 | 78 | 16 | 60 |
| 2012 | 107 | 30 | 72 |
| 2011 | 84 | 16 | 65 |
| 2010 | 25 | 6 | 18 |
| 2009 | 59 | 19 | 37 |
| 2008 | 65 | 11 | 53 |
| 2007 | 119 | 29 | 88 |
| 2006 | 120 | 51 | 65 |
| 2005 | 138 | 58 | 74 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
25,187 CLS cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 75% passed first time, against 69% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 285 | 78% |
| 2019 | 1,116 | 83% |
| 2018 | 1,000 | 83% |
| 2017 | 1,526 | 83% |
| 2016 | 2,154 | 81% |
| 2015 | 2,956 | 82% |
| 2014 | 1,867 | 76% |
| 2013 | 3,189 | 75% |
| 2012 | 1,176 | 75% |
| 2011 | 1,269 | 76% |
| 2010 | 1,168 | 65% |
| 2009 | 1,218 | 65% |
| 2008 | 1,542 | 68% |
| 2007 | 1,975 | 67% |
| 2006 | 1,697 | 69% |
| 2005 | 1,049 | 72% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | CLS | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 9.9% | 6.7% |
| Suspension | 7.7% | 10.5% |
| Brakes | 6.3% | 7.5% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.2% | 12.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.9% | 3.5% |
| Visibility | 2.0% | 5.1% |
| Road Wheels | 1.5% | 0.4% |
| Steering | 1.2% | 2.1% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
2,712 new Mercedes-Benz CLS cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2011 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Luxembourg (8), Germany (7).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 15 | 199 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 4 | 220 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 11 | 220 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 440 | 190 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 24 | 185 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 107 | 139 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 210 | — |
| 2015 | 355 | — |
| 2014 | 218 | — |
| 2013 | 264 | — |
| 2012 | 305 | — |
| 2011 | 759 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the CLS in at least 12 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting ice. Advanced corrosion could weaken the screws, leading to potential breakage during manoeuvring or parking. If all fixi…
The electrical connector of the transmission wiring harness may not have been correctly processed. This can lead to water entering the connector, which could cause short circuit and can create a thermal overload of the connector when the vehicle is parked, cau…
The software of the airbag control module may be faulty. In the event of an accident, this can lead the active bonnet system not to be activated properly. This increases the risk of injury to other road users. The product does not comply with the Regulation on…
The 48V ground cable bolt in the engine compartment may be incorrectly secured. This could increase electrical transition resistance at the point of connection. As a result, the high electrical currents that can flow through this connection could increase the …
The exit warning function, which warns car occupants not to open doors when traffic is approaching, may malfunction. This creates a risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles a…
Due to improper adhesive bonding of the glass panel to the sliding roof frame, the panel may detach from the moving vehicle, creating a risk of an accident, injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of mo…
The seal for the special plug-in contact of the gearbox designed to protect against contact with moisture and splashing water is improperly installed. Thus splashed water can enter the socket contact when driving in wet conditions and can lead to a short circu…
The vacuum-controlled coolant pump may not be tightly sealed between the coolant and vacuum circuits. This may result in the coolant leaking into the vacuum circuit leading to an electrochemical reaction, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not compl…
A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The produ…
The mounting screws of the disc brake callipers on the front axle may not be in line with specifications. As a result, when braking, a disc brake calliper may detach, increasing the risk of accidents. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down…
The electrical connector of the side-impact sensors might not be correctly latched and could become detached.This would lead to delayed activation of the restraint systems in the event of a side impact, reducing their restraining effect and increasing the risk…
Cracks could occur in the high pressure lines between the fuel rail and the injectors. As a result, diesel fuel could leak into the engine compartment, increasing the risk of fire.Moreover, due to the fuel leak the engine might not start, or the emergency oper…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
1 campaigns cover the CLS.
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
NHTSA recalls