The 2003 Mercedes-Benz Cl Class has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 36,614 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING07V2630002007-06-1219,924 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
Consequence
THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS COULD FAIL IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION.
Consequence
IF THE TRUNK LID IS MANUALLY LIFTED, IT MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF IT COMES DOWN WHILE SOMEONE IS REACHING INTO THE TRUNK.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH TRUNK LID SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES- BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS
3
3crashes3fires3injuries9deaths
AIR BAGS
2
2crashes2fires2injuries6deaths
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
1fires
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
1crashes1fires1injuries3deaths
SEATS
1
1crashes1fires1injuries3deaths
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
1
1crashes1fires1injuries3deaths
STEERING
1
1fires
SUSPENSION
1
1fires
Total complaints12
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I have a 2003 mercedes benz cl55 amg. The abc or active body control system failed and with very little warning, the fluid started to leak , smoke was everywhere and I nearly caused a collision because of the thick smoke and poor visibility. I had to pull over immediately and have the cl55 towed…”
“I have a 2003 mercedes benz cl55 amg. The abc or active body control system failed and with very little warning, the fluid started to leak , smoke was everywhere and I nearly caused a collision because of the thick smoke and poor visibility. I had to pull over immediately and have the cl55 towed…”
“I have a 2003 mercedes benz cl55 amg. The abc or active body control system failed and with very little warning, the fluid started to leak , smoke was everywhere and I nearly caused a collision because of the thick smoke and poor visibility. I had to pull over immediately and have the cl55 towed…”
“2003 mercedes-benz cl55 low-speed (25-35mph) high-acceleration head-on impact with a limousine (approx. 45mph) where the cl55 dash mounted airbags deployed after the vehicle came to rest, and the cl55's integrated seatbelt worn by the passenger and sole survivor resulted in the displacement of the…”
“2003 mercedes-benz cl55 low-speed (25-35mph) high-acceleration head-on impact with a limousine (approx. 45mph) where the cl55 dash mounted airbags deployed after the vehicle came to rest, and the cl55's integrated seatbelt worn by the passenger and sole survivor resulted in the displacement of the…”
“1. Exiting a curve on a windy road at approx. 30mph, driver applied throttle causing an automatic downshift into a 516ftlb torque lunge. With no steering control in 1-second we were in the opposite lane. Driver fought to regain control during second no. 2. Then a limo blew through a stop sign on a…”
“1. Exiting a curve on a windy road at approx. 30mph, driver applied throttle causing an automatic downshift into a 516ftlb torque lunge. With no steering control in 1-second we were in the opposite lane. Driver fought to regain control during second no. 2. Then a limo blew through a stop sign on a…”
“1. Exiting a curve on a windy road at approx. 30mph, driver applied throttle causing an automatic downshift into a 516ftlb torque lunge. With no steering control in 1-second we were in the opposite lane. Driver fought to regain control during second no. 2. Then a limo blew through a stop sign on a…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Cl Class as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.