2003 Mercedes-Benz CL: common problems and reliability
One of the worst CL years.
One of the Mercedes-Benz CL years to avoid. All CL years
20 owner complaints, most about seats. No recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 CL?The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL has 20 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are seats and suspension.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other CL years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the CL?
Across the 11 CL model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2013) to 20 (2003). With 20 complaints, the 2003 CL sits above the model's median of 6.
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.
Where owners report problems
What owners say across generations
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.
Other CL model years
Compare every CL year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the CL against its rivals
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