Selling a broken Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
The CL-Class coupes of 2000 to 2006 introduced Active Body Control, Mercedes-Benz's hydraulic suspension, and suspension is the component owners named most in their NHTSA complaints: 36 of 156. Three recalls went after the same system.
- Years in EPA data
- 1998-2014
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 156 (as of Oct. 10, 2026)
- Year with the most complaints
- 2002 (47)
- Component named most
- Suspension (36)
- Recall campaigns
- 12
- Engines, 2000-2013 (Wikipedia)
- 4.7-5.5 L V8s, 5.5 L V12 biturbo
- Built in
- Sindelfingen, Germany
If your CL is down on its suspension, lit up with electrical warnings or simply not worth the next repair, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.
Three generations, three different stories
These CL complaint numbers are from NHTSA, checked on October 10, 2026. Generation years and engines are from Wikipedia.
| Generation | NHTSA model years | Engines and gearbox | What the file points to | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C140 | 1999 | 4.2-5.0 L V8, 4-speed automatic | Two seat belt complaints, no recalls | 2 |
| C215 | 2000-2006 | 5.0 V8, 5.4 V8, supercharged 5.4 V8, 5.5 V12 biturbo; 5-speed automatic | Suspension and electrical; ABC hose and sensor recalls | 123 |
| C216 | 2007-2013 | 4.7 V8 biturbo, 5.5 V8, 5.5 V8 biturbo | Fuel and propulsion, seat belts; a fuel filter recall | 31 |
1999: the last C140
Wikipedia says first-generation production ended in 1998, with 1999 as the final model year and 26,022 coupes built. NHTSA holds two complaints on the 1999 CL, both about seat belts, and no recalls.
2000-2006 (C215): Active Body Control
Wikipedia describes the system: four hydraulic suspension rams, three pressure regulators and a combined power steering and suspension pump pushing fluid at 2,960 psi. It is what keeps the car flat in corners, and it is the thread running through this generation's complaints.
The 2002 has 47 complaints, more than any other CL year. Suspension leads with 13, then the electrical system with 12 and engine cooling with 7. Suspension is also the top component on the 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005.
The ABC recalls:
- 04V228 (2001-2004): the inner steel portions of the ABC high-pressure distribution hose could corrode from heat and humidity. Dealers installed corrosion-resistant hoses.
- 07V263 (2000-2004): the same hose, corroding from humidity. New hoses again.
- 08V405 (2001-2008): dealers inspected the front ABC sensors and replaced them if needed. Its 4,564 vehicles include S-Class and SL-Class cars, not only CLs.
On the 2004, the electrical system takes over as the top component, 8 of 16 complaints. Recall 06V028 (2000-2005) replaced instrument cluster modules after electrical malfunctions. The campaign counts 36,911 vehicles. Smaller campaigns covered a blower motor fuse holder (04V227), a blower motor regulator that could overheat (00V141), a heated washer bottle hose that could overheat (01V014) and trunk lid springs (04V285).
The 2003 stands out for a different reason. Its 13 complaints report 3 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries and 9 deaths. Those figures come from the complaint forms owners and families filed.
2007-2013 (C216): quiet in the file
This generation has 31 complaints across seven model years. The 2007's top complaint is fuel and propulsion, 4 of 9. Recall 12V557 replaced the fuel filter on certain 2011-2012 CL550 4Matic and CL63 AMG cars, in a 5,800-vehicle campaign that also covered S-Class, C-Class, E-Class and GLK models. Wikipedia notes the coupe was built at Sindelfingen on its own line.
Year-by-year complaints and recalls
Source: NHTSA records, October 10, 2026. When one CL recall spans several model years, it counts in every one of them, so that column goes over 12. The last CL model years haven't been driven as long.
| Model year | Complaints | Fires reported | Recall campaigns | Top component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Seat belts |
| 2000 | 7 | 3 | 5 | Suspension |
| 2001 | 26 | 5 | 6 | Suspension |
| 2002 | 47 | 5 | 5 | Suspension |
| 2003 | 13 | 4 | 4 | Suspension |
| 2004 | 16 | 1 | 6 | Electrical system |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Suspension |
| 2006 | 9 | 1 | 1 | Air bags, steering (tied) |
| 2007 | 9 | 1 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion |
| 2008 | 10 | 1 | 1 | Seat belts, power train (tied) |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Exterior lighting, fuel/propulsion (tied) |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Air bags |
| 2011 | 6 | 2 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Steering |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Air bags |
Repair it, or sell it?
- Run the VIN first. NHTSA's recall lookup shows whether an ABC hose or sensor recall was ever done on your car.
- Car sitting low? ABC is a hydraulic system with a pump, regulators and four rams, so the fault can be in several places. Get it diagnosed and quoted in writing. The broken suspension guide covers how to weigh it.
- Dash full of warnings? See electrical problems before you assume the worst.
- Compare the repair price with what a running CL of that year sells for. If the fix takes up most of that, you're facing the choice in repairs that cost more than the car.
Selling your CL whole
- Have the VIN and the miles handy, plus a simple note on the problem.
- Ask for an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
- Say where it sits and how. A CL resting low on its suspension, parked in a garage or tucked behind a house can still be picked up; the driver just needs to know before arriving.
- Keep it whole. The engine, wheels and converters stay put. Let us know about anything taken off.
- Have the CL's title and your photo ID ready at pickup. Lost title? Start with selling with no title. Plates and insurance afterward: after you sell.
Looking at a related car? See the S-Class, CLS-Class or every Mercedes-Benz model.
Questions people ask
- Which CL-Class model years have the most NHTSA complaints?
- The 2002 CL leads with 47 complaints on October 10, 2026. The 2001 has 26, the 2004 has 16 and the 2003 has 13. A 2012 or 2013 is younger than the rest, so its small count doesn't tell you everything.
- Was the Active Body Control suspension ever recalled?
- Yes, three times. Recalls 04V228 (2001-2004) and 07V263 (2000-2004) replaced the ABC high-pressure distribution hose because its inner steel parts could corrode. Recall 08V405 (2001-2008) had dealers inspect and, if needed, replace the front ABC sensors. Type the CL's VIN into nhtsa.gov/recalls and check for any recall that hasn't been done.
- Will you buy a CL that sits on its suspension and won't move?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. A CL rides close to the ground. Let us know where it is and if the wheels roll, and our driver plans the loading.
- Should I pull the AMG wheels or the engine before selling?
- No. You sell the whole car as it sits. Leave the wheels, the engine and the catalytic converters on. Let us know about any part that's been taken off when you reach out, since that changes our offer.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- EPA fuel economy data: CL-Class model years and versions fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA recall 00V141: blower motor regulator, 2000 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 01V014: heated washer bottle hose, 2001 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 02V030: right rear seat belt buckle, 2002 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 04V227: blower motor fuse holder, 2000-2001 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 04V228: ABC high-pressure hose, 2001-2004 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 04V285: trunk lid springs, 2003-2004 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 06V028: instrument cluster, 2000-2005 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 07V263: ABC high-pressure hose, 2000-2004 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 08V405: front ABC sensors, 2001-2008 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 12V557: fuel filter, 2011-2012 nhtsa.gov
- Wikipedia: Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (generations, engines, Active Body Control) en.wikipedia.org