2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK: common problems and reliability
One of the better CLK years.
The best Mercedes-Benz CLK year. All CLK years
9 owner complaints, most about visibility. No recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 CLK?The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK has 9 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility and fuel/propulsion system. Owners most often flag engine-specific faults: m112/m113 v6/v8: potential for valve cover and pcv box leaks, rear main seal leaks (expensive). m272 v6 (post-2004): potential balance shaft defect (very expensive) and variable intake manifold failures. m271 kompressor 4-cylinder: faulty timing chains.
Safety record for the 2009 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other CLK years only. How we score it
Is 2009 a good year for the CLK?
Across the 8 CLK model years we track, complaint volume runs from 9 (2009) to 53 (2007). With 9 complaints, the 2009 CLK sits below the model's median of 34.
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
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation, engine, and maintenance history.
- RecurrentEngine-specific faults
M112/M113 V6/V8: potential for valve cover and PCV box leaks, rear main seal leaks (expensive). M272 V6 (post-2004): potential balance shaft defect (very expensive) and variable intake manifold failures. M271 Kompressor 4-cylinder: faulty timing chains.
Owner insights cover all generations of the CLK. See the full CLK owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used CLK listings typically run $7,392–$11,597 across 1999 to 2009 model years.
Other CLK model years
Compare every CLK year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.
Compare the CLK against its rivals
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