Mercedes-Benz

CLK320

Subcompact Cars · model years 1998 to 2005

Includes CLK320 and CLK320 (Cabriolet) as listed by the EPA.

See all 15 CLK320 trims All Mercedes-Benz cars

The verdict

Best year: 1998. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 8; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2003. complaints: 19, above this model's typical 16; recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Mercedes-Benz CLK320
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1998	1Gas	22	$3,500	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 8 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	2Gas	20.5	$3,750	1	18	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%, VISIBILITY 11%
complaints: 18, above this model's typical 16 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 61 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	2Gas	20.5	$3,750	0	17	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32%, AIR BAGS 16%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 16%
complaints: 17, above this model's typical 16 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	2Gas	20.5	$3,750	0	15	AIR BAGS 20%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 15%
complaints: 15, below this model's typical 16 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 77 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	2Gas	20	$3,850	0	16	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%, STRUCTURE 7%
complaints: 16, in line with this model's typical 16 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 73 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	2Gas	20	$3,850	3	19	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%, AIR BAGS 21%, SEAT BELTS 13%
complaints: 19, above this model's typical 16 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 26 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	2Gas	20	$3,850	3	16	SEAT BELTS 26%, AIR BAGS 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%
complaints: 16, in line with this model's typical 16 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 39 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	2Gas	20.5	$3,750	3	12	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, TIRES 21%, AIR BAGS 14%
complaints: 12, below this model's typical 16 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 39 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1998: 22 to 2005: 20.5

Owner complaints1998: 0 to 2005: 12

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Mercedes-Benz CLK320 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.