2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550
4 recalls — 31 complaints
17V177000
Mar 14, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Defect Description
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350... Read more
Consequence
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
17V177000
Mar 14, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Defect Description
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350... Read more
Consequence
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
15V137000
Mar 10, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Defect Description
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLS 400 and CLS 400 4matic, 2012-2015 CLS 550 and CLS 550 4matic, 2012-2013 CLS 63, 2014 CLS 63, and 2014-2015 CLS 63P. The affected vehicles have LED tail lights that may not light on the sides, reducing the rear side visibility ... Read more
Consequence
Reduced rear side marker illumination may prevent other drivers from seeing the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the lighting controller software, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015030005.
12V533000
Nov 6, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Defect Description
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2012 CLS550 and CLS550 4Matic vehicles, manufactured December 01, 2011, through December 13, 2011. The bolts that hold the hood's secondary latch striker may have been insufficiently tightened.
Consequence
The reduced torque of the striker bolts might lead to a loosening of the bolts. If two of the four bolts securing the striker became loose, the secondary hood latch function would become ineffective. If this problem combines with a failure of the primary hood lock or if the hood is not properly clo... Read more
Remedy
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will check and retighten the bolts as necessary. Mercedes-Benz notified the owners by phone for this campaign starting on 11/21/2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Complaint Statistics
31 total complaints
3 crashes 6 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 1 |
SUSPENSION
Oct 5, 2025
Incident date: Oct 4, 2025
Mercedes-Benz offers an extended warranty, effectively a 20-year/unlimited mileage coverage, for the rear subframe due to corrosion with perforation, covering specific model years my vehicles make and model are included. I’m having the issues they claim free repair for.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 3, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
For several months I been smelling different odors from my 2012 CLS550, getting stronger as the weeks go by now smelling like gas, would noticed puddles whenever I parked from rear driver side area towards middle, just got the news from the mechanic that the driver side fuel gas pump is cracked and ... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 27, 2025
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
There is a strong odor of gasoline coming from the drivers side rear. I conducted a Google search on the issue and there are a lot of instances of the same thing. It appears to be the Gas Tank Sending Unit, they have a tendency to crack and leak.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 19, 2025
Incident date: Mar 10, 2025
I have Mercedes Benz CLS 550. Whenever I fill up a tank full, I smell gas in the CAR and in my garage. After researching the cause of this issue , I found its a common issue with Mercedes Benz older vehicles where the fuel sender unit cracks and start leaking Gas which is located under the rear se... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 27, 2025
Incident date: Sep 8, 2023
The vehicle sunroof exploded while traveling on the interstate. Stopped and inspected the vehicle to find no impact objects inside the vehicle. Later reviewed online that this was a common problem with this modern Mercedes and the item is already under recall but not my year. I have a 2012 and the r... Read more
SUSPENSION
Aug 30, 2024
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
Premature rusting on brake and fuel lines which lead to further issues with driveability and saftey. This us caused by the same defects leading to the Premature rust on the subframe that can cause a serious wreck on the interstate.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 30, 2024
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
Premature rusting on brake and fuel lines which lead to further issues with driveability and saftey. This us caused by the same defects leading to the Premature rust on the subframe that can cause a serious wreck on the interstate.
SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 30, 2024
Incident date: Jul 25, 2024
Premature rusting on brake and fuel lines which lead to further issues with driveability and saftey. This us caused by the same defects leading to the Premature rust on the subframe that can cause a serious wreck on the interstate.
VISIBILITY
Sep 12, 2023
Incident date: Jan 15, 2016
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon adjusting the sun visor, the sun visor detached, compromising driving visibility. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the sun visor needed to be replace... Read more
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Sep 8, 2023
Incident date: Sep 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 15, 2022
Incident date: Nov 30, 2022
The rear subframe rusted from the inside out causing structural failure of the subframe. This lead to twisting of the chassis under hard braking causing difficulty in controlling the vehicle. As you can imagine, controlling a vehicle when needing to abruptly stop is very important. The rear end felt... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 26, 2022
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
It has been confirmed by a glass company that the car has an improper seal/bonded windshield. The windshield is the original and the car has never been in an accident. A few years ago, i noticed a rattling that I was unable to identify. This was reported during one of the regular maintenance s... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 2, 2022
Incident date: Aug 10, 2017
UNKNOWN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS REFUELED THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. IF YOU CHECK CARCOMPLIANTS. COM THE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT.. IN THE ARTICLE @ CAR COMPLAINTS .COM THE NHSTA CLAIMS IT KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT SINCE MERCEDES BENZ HAS COM... Read more
ENGINE
Dec 16, 2020
Incident date: Nov 30, 2020
CAM LINK SENSOR LEAKS OIL ONTO ENGINE HARNESS, FRYING ALL ELECTRIC COMPONENTS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STUTTER WHILE OPERATING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Dec 16, 2020
Incident date: Nov 30, 2020
CAM LINK SENSOR LEAKS OIL ONTO ENGINE HARNESS, FRYING ALL ELECTRIC COMPONENTS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STUTTER WHILE OPERATING
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 22, 2020
Incident date: Sep 15, 2020
FUEL LEAK INTO REAR DRIVER SIDE BACK SEAT FROM BELOW. GAS LEAKED INTO PASSENGER CABIN DUE TO A SEAL THAT BROKE FROM GAS TANK. DANGEROUS SMELL AND FIRE HAZARD. LEAK HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, WHEN PARKED AND ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING. MBUSA AND DEALERSHIPS NOT ACCEPTING THE DEFECT AND DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUS... Read more
POWER TRAIN
Apr 9, 2020
Incident date: Feb 20, 2020
ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE SO I BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS INTO THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU. ALL OF WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $6033.00 AND THE CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 50K MILES ON IT.... Read more
ENGINE
Apr 9, 2020
Incident date: Feb 20, 2020
ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE SO I BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS INTO THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND ECU. ALL OF WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $6033.00 AND THE CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 50K MILES ON IT.... Read more
ENGINE
Mar 7, 2020
Incident date: Sep 1, 2017
WHEN STARTED AND FOR SOME PERIOD AFTER WARM UP THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTORS RATTLE. THE DEALER MECHANIC CLAIMS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE SPLIT RAIL SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE. THIS MAKES THE MOTOR APPEAR TO BE KNOCKING AS THE NOISE IS LOUD. I HAVE REPORTED IT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 2017.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 6, 2019
Incident date: Jul 1, 2019
FUEL LEAK FROM UNKNOWN PART OF THE TANK
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 18, 2018
Incident date: Sep 17, 2018
"FUEL LEAKING FROM GAS TANK" AFTER SMELLING A STRONG FUEL SMELL BOTH INSIDE AND OUT SIDE MY VEHICLE I TOOK TO MERCEDES 9/17/18 TO SEE IF THEY KNEW OF THE ISSUE OF IF THERE WAS SOME TYPE OR RECALL ON MY VEHICLE REGARDING A FUEL ISSUE. THE SMELL ALWAYS SEEMED STRONGER AFTER I PUT IN A FULL TANK OF GA... Read more
ENGINE
Aug 25, 2018
Incident date: Aug 18, 2018
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 6MONTH OLD BABY AND SUDDENLY MY CAR SURGES AND LOSES POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND I MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WAIT A WHILE THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND HEAD BACK HOME. THE CEL STAYED ON BUT I STILL HAD ENGIN... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 25, 2018
Incident date: Aug 18, 2018
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 6MONTH OLD BABY AND SUDDENLY MY CAR SURGES AND LOSES POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND I MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WAIT A WHILE THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND HEAD BACK HOME. THE CEL STAYED ON BUT I STILL HAD ENGIN... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 27, 2018
Incident date: Feb 1, 2014
THE VERY DAY I BROUGHT MY CAR HOME FROM A USED CAR PURCHASE, THE MOMENT I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK, THE MESSAGE CENTER SAID, " SOS SERVICE NOT ACTIVATED" IN A WARNING IN THE CENTER CLUSTER. IT WOULDN'T GO AWAY AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, SO I PUSHED THE SOS BUTTON AND MB ASKED ME, " WHAT IS Y... Read more
POWER TRAIN
Mar 13, 2016
Incident date: Feb 28, 2016
DRIVE SHIFT CAME APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BROKE THE FRONT AXLE DIFFERENTIAL ON THE HIGHWAY
WHEELS
Apr 9, 2014
Incident date: Jan 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ CLS-550 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER A ONE-MONTH PERIOD, ALL FOUR FACTORY TIRES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THREE TIMES TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE LOW PROFIL... Read more
POWER TRAIN
Oct 5, 2012
Incident date: Oct 4, 2012
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. T THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WO... Read more
Crash
2 injured
STEERING
Oct 5, 2012
Incident date: Oct 4, 2012
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. T THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WO... Read more
Crash
2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 5, 2012
Incident date: Oct 4, 2012
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. T THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WO... Read more
Crash
2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 29, 2012
Incident date: Aug 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FO... Read more
STEERING
Aug 29, 2012
Incident date: Aug 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ CLS550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FO... Read more
EPA Fuel Economy — 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 7-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 17.0 | 25.0 | 20.0 | Premium | $3,450 |
CO2 Emissions: 444.4 g/mile (Compact Cars)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550 — All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550 across all model years (2010–2017).
120
Total Recalls
54
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
4
Reported Crashes
0
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths