LIST ALL Problems HERE W209
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 1
From: J to the V I double L E, Florida
2003 CLK320
I have a 2003 W209. Have 93,000 miles on it so far.
1. Changed the passenger seat airbag sensor twice under warranty. Both under 30,000 miles.
2. Car randomly shut off in the middle of the road at 8,000 miles. Tested under warranty found nothing. Concluded it was dirty gas. Never happened again.
3. Door lock on driver door broke. Replaced locking unit under warranty.
4. When I close the door on passenger side sounds like something is loose. Still haven't had it checked out.
5. Had the car tell me left rear light is out when it wasn't for a couple weeks. Stopped all by itself.
6. Air conditioning *** in middle (the blue one) is stuck all the way to the right which causes the AC to not blow as cold. Need to fix out of my pocket.
7. Door trim broke off on bottom of seats due to passengers hitting in when coming out (not the cars fault). Fixed it 1st time under warranty, 2nd time havent fixed it yet and if I do will be out of pocket.
8. Command has frozen 3 or 4 times. I had to pull over and restart the car for it to work. (Thats computers for you.)
Overall the car is great and I think it will last me a while. Pillarless is defenitly awesome. Remember I have the first model year which to my understanding was plagued with problems. Mine hasn't been that bad.
1. Changed the passenger seat airbag sensor twice under warranty. Both under 30,000 miles.
2. Car randomly shut off in the middle of the road at 8,000 miles. Tested under warranty found nothing. Concluded it was dirty gas. Never happened again.
3. Door lock on driver door broke. Replaced locking unit under warranty.
4. When I close the door on passenger side sounds like something is loose. Still haven't had it checked out.
5. Had the car tell me left rear light is out when it wasn't for a couple weeks. Stopped all by itself.
6. Air conditioning *** in middle (the blue one) is stuck all the way to the right which causes the AC to not blow as cold. Need to fix out of my pocket.
7. Door trim broke off on bottom of seats due to passengers hitting in when coming out (not the cars fault). Fixed it 1st time under warranty, 2nd time havent fixed it yet and if I do will be out of pocket.
8. Command has frozen 3 or 4 times. I had to pull over and restart the car for it to work. (Thats computers for you.)
Overall the car is great and I think it will last me a while. Pillarless is defenitly awesome. Remember I have the first model year which to my understanding was plagued with problems. Mine hasn't been that bad.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Maryland
2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
Originally Posted by gbahri
2. Car randomly shut off in the middle of the road at 8,000 miles. Tested under warranty found nothing. Concluded it was dirty gas. Never happened again.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Maryland
2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
Originally Posted by lamak
5)car cut out on motorway and then failed to restart until it cooled down(currently being worked on)- new fuel pressure sensors and crankshaft postion sensor required (expexted bill of £900!)
6) clunking from front when accelerating-one dealer had diagnosed thrust arm bushes and changed them but with no improvement (£500). Then said it needed new engine mounts. Have now gone for second opinion-they say its the anti roll bar bushes and link arms
6) clunking from front when accelerating-one dealer had diagnosed thrust arm bushes and changed them but with no improvement (£500). Then said it needed new engine mounts. Have now gone for second opinion-they say its the anti roll bar bushes and link arms
! Item #5 was most likely the CPS. The fuel pressure sensors probably did NOT need to be changed. Mine did this (a w208) and the change of the CPS did the trick. 900 pounds?! How much is that in dollars (not familiar w/exchange rate...)!?Item #6....Wow. They're making you pay for their fumbling around trying to figure out the problem. Thrust Arm bushes?! That's a new one on me
. You need to start a thread here yourself and ask anybody if they've experienced the problem because the dealer will be glad to go thru your car piece by piece while YOUR meter (wallet) is running! It'll be the car's third time back for the same problem! Not acceptable (esp. for a certified MB tech)!
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente, CA
2009 CLK 350 Past: 2007 C230
OK, my car was abused before I purchased it, so this list is a but extreme
2009 CLK 350 w/91k miles when it got to me.
EIS Replace
Left undertray cracked (more of that great MBZ plastic)
Seat adjustment Inop
Steering Column adjustment inop (both seat + steering wheel issues fixed by resolving loose wires in the steering column)
drivers airbag circuit resistance too high (loose wires in steering column again)
Emergency brake bezel cracked
SRS Module VIN wrong (they can scramble them if left to sit too long)
CEL Light (Intake Manifold Tumbler Flaps)
Fan Belt idler wheel + Tensioner squeak
Wheel well plastic cracked
Glove Box Latch Adjust
Upper torque arm suspension bushing replace
Front Sway Bar Link Replace
Replace missing transmission splash guard
Ambient temp sensor replace
2009 CLK 350 w/91k miles when it got to me.
EIS Replace
Left undertray cracked (more of that great MBZ plastic)
Seat adjustment Inop
Steering Column adjustment inop (both seat + steering wheel issues fixed by resolving loose wires in the steering column)
drivers airbag circuit resistance too high (loose wires in steering column again)
Emergency brake bezel cracked
SRS Module VIN wrong (they can scramble them if left to sit too long)
CEL Light (Intake Manifold Tumbler Flaps)
Fan Belt idler wheel + Tensioner squeak
Wheel well plastic cracked
Glove Box Latch Adjust
Upper torque arm suspension bushing replace
Front Sway Bar Link Replace
Replace missing transmission splash guard
Ambient temp sensor replace
Last edited by chewtoy; Sep 20, 2019 at 06:58 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,829
Likes: 592
From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
Well this comment of mine did not age well at all…
September 2022 and at 104,000 Miles the following issues are present.
-Both door strap checks are popping (bad design)
-Passenger head rest rattle
-Glove box has issues closing
-TPMS Light randomly comes on
-CEL comes on when cold only in the early mornings
-Arm rest is not working correctly
-Drivers sear squeaks
-In dash cup holder jammed
Car is reliable just plagued by poor quality and design issues. Too much C Class and low quality parts used. Should of saved the money I paid and just daily drive my CL600 when I wanted a 2 door. Would of made more sense. I do not see myself keeping my CLK much longer as many of these little issues I feel are unnecessary for a MB. Cannot say I have had these issues before.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem NC
2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet
2004 cabrio issues
Overall love this car but it’s had crazy issues. Bought in 2011 and here’s what I’ve fixed/replaced. Now at 135K and still love top down driving and get comments every time I’m out.
Bad starter motor-inserted key and nothing…
Had to disable phone connection-kept erroring
Headrests continue to be an issue so I put them at lowest setting and leave them so won’t rub when lowering top
Replaced top Hydraulics- Ouch!
Replaced convertible top
Replaced A/C compressor
Replaced both rear window regulators(at different times)** My advice is if one goes bad, replace both!! Have to remove back seat and door panels to get to guts. Cheaper to do both at once
Glove box won’t close- now held closed by Velcro
Replaced third brake light
All that to say I still love the car but it only comes out on nice days, I keep the top down and it lives in the garage
Bad starter motor-inserted key and nothing…
Had to disable phone connection-kept erroring
Headrests continue to be an issue so I put them at lowest setting and leave them so won’t rub when lowering top
Replaced top Hydraulics- Ouch!
Replaced convertible top
Replaced A/C compressor
Replaced both rear window regulators(at different times)** My advice is if one goes bad, replace both!! Have to remove back seat and door panels to get to guts. Cheaper to do both at once
Glove box won’t close- now held closed by Velcro
Replaced third brake light
All that to say I still love the car but it only comes out on nice days, I keep the top down and it lives in the garage
Last edited by rharkey; Nov 11, 2022 at 10:29 AM. Reason: Misspelled
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 6
From: Sydney, Australia
CLK350 Convertible 2007 W209
Clk problems
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 9
From: Tennessee
CLK 350A Cabriolet
Thanks Greg, you took the words right out of my mouth. I bought mine in June of 21. Bought it from a elderly couple who leased it new the bought it out of lease. It had 43656 miles when I bought it from them in Franklin, TN. Did replace the Cam Shaft Sensors, at 53456miles, problem persisted took it to the shop, they said it was the Fuel Pump, also said that it didn't get much driving on it for a while was the reason the fuel pump when out and maybe that was the real problem and not the cam shaft sensors, but shouldn't have that problem any to soon. Anyway, when ahead and changed out the fuel pump sending units both of the while he was in there. That was at 54233 Miles. Now at 56644 miles have gone to KC,MO, out ran two Lexus' and a Acura, and am going back to KC, MO again Thanksgiving again for TN, and I won't have a second thought about it. Not only does my CLK 350 Cabro look good it does move fast for a 6 cylinder, Look at the thread about hanging on to your W209. There's a lot of people there that will differ about how good the W209.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 30
Likes: 6
Mercedes CLK500
