2004 Mercedes-Benz CL: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker CL years.
7 owner complaints, most about electrical system. No recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 CL?The 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL has 7 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and suspension.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other CL years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the CL?
Across the 11 CL model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2013) to 20 (2003). With 7 complaints, the 2004 CL sits about the same as 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 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the CL against its rivals
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