The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL has 53 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and air bags. Owners most often flag active body control (abc) hydraulic suspension failures: includes leaking struts, failing accumulators (spheres), valve block issues, and pump failures. very expensive to repair, with full system replacement sometimes required. frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 6 CL model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2010) to 167 (2006). With 53 complaints, the 2003 CL sits about the same asthe model's median of 53.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Owner sentiment is highly conditional, centered on the significant and well-documented maintenance costs associated with the complex Active Body Control (ABC) hydraulic suspension system.
Owner insights cover all generations of the CL. See the full CL owner picture and every model year.
Compare every CL year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.