The 2000 Mercedes-Benz Cl500 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 613 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EXTERIOR LIGHTING01V2470002001-08-01613 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
DRIVERS IN INCOMING VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INCREASED GLARE FROM THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTING WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AIM OF THE HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULBS IN THE HIGH BEAM MODE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
SUSPENSION
2
1fires
ENGINE
1
INTERIOR LIGHTING
1
SUSPENSION:REAR
1
1fires
Total complaints7
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz cl500. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the suspension system nearly caught fire. The contact stated that there was a considerable amount of smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed and repaired. The…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz cl500. While traveling approximately 40 mph, the instrument cluster failed to work and went completely blank several times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The contact…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz cl500. The contact stated that while driving 80 mph, the vehicle overheated. The contact stopped and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle later stalled. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who stated that the vehicle overheated and the crank…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500 (n/a). While traveling at 55 mph, the contact heard a loud, unusual pop coming from the rear of the vehicle. Within seconds, there was smoke coming from the vehicle rear. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes cl500. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the vehicle dropped to the ground. In addition, the contact stated that the active body control is too low please stop vehicle warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The…”
“Dt*: the contact stated the instrument cluster did not illuminate properly on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. There was a nhtsa recall #06v028000 regarding interior lighting. The vehicle was not included in the recall…”
“Dt*: the contact stated the instrument cluster did not illuminate properly on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. There was a nhtsa recall #06v028000 regarding interior lighting. The vehicle was not included in the recall…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE03058 Opened 2003-12-17 · closed 2004-04-22
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz Cl500 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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