My complaint is against Mercedes-benz, usa for their failure to inform me of the substantive defects and recalls at the time of my purchase of the 2006 Mercedes c280; VIN [xxx]. On april 24, 2009, I engaged in a contract with Mercedes benz financial services for the purchase of the above 2006 c-280. I was never informed of the serious defects on the vehicle. I was never given an opportunity…
2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class engine problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2006 CLK models report a pattern of engine problems centered on the M272 balance shaft. The defect involves improperly annealed gears that wear prematurely and trigger check engine lights as early as 30,000 miles, though some failures appear later. Repairing the balance shaft requires full engine removal and costs $4,000–$8,000; Mercedes acknowledged the defect and covered parts in some cases but balked at labor costs. Owners describe a prior class action settlement that offered limited help only to those affected during the settlement period, leaving subsequent failures uncovered.
A separate thread involves repeated check engine oil level warnings on an early 2006 CLK, where dealerships conducted multiple oil consumption tests without identifying the source of excessive oil loss. Mercedes refused to authorize engine teardown under warranty to find the leak.
Another owner faced repeated camshaft sensor replacement at 52,500 miles, with the fault returning by 68,000 miles; Mercedes refused responsibility. A catalytic converter failure appeared at 66,000 miles. Across all reports, owners describe frustrated attempts to get Mercedes to cover defects the manufacturer had acknowledged or should have known about.
Failure modes owners describe
Balance shaft premature wear / defective gear
Faulty balance shaft with improperly annealed gears that wear prematurely and excessively, causing check engine light and potential misfiring, stalling, or complete engine failure.
When: 30,000 to 80,000 miles; some failures reported within months of normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Engine running rough; Misfiring; Stalling; Engine damage without warning
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Engine removal and balance shaft replacement required. Repair costs quoted between $4,000–$8,000; Mercedes acknowledged defect and will cover parts ($1,700) but initially not labor. Complex repair requiring special tools; most independent shops refuse to attempt. Class action lawsuit settled years ago but with limited benefit to later failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action lawsuit settlement (details limited); Mercedes aware of issue; some coverage of parts but not labor in certain cases
Oil consumption — excessive or undiagnosed
Repeated check engine oil level warnings despite dealership inspection and oil consumption testing; underlying cause remained undiagnosed; Mercedes would not authorize engine teardown to locate oil leak source.
When: July 2007, approximately 4 months after purchase (March 2007)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine oil level warning message (repeated three times); Oil level warning triggered at 1,000–1,200 mile intervals
Codes mentioned: Check engine oil level warning
Repairs/costs cited: Oil consumption tests conducted at two dealerships; no root cause identified. Mercedes would not authorize engine teardown/inspection to find leak source under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ordered oil consumption tests; denied warranty authorization for engine disassembly to diagnose
Camshaft sensor failure / camshaft problem
Check engine light triggered by camshaft sensor failure; sensor replaced at dealer but fault recurred at higher mileage.
When: 52,500 miles (initial failure); 68,000 miles (recurrence)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Engine running issues
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft sensor replaced at 52,500 miles. Same fault returned at 68,000 miles. Independent shop confirmed ongoing camshaft problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes refused to take responsibility; no documented warranty action
Catalytic converter failure
Catalytic converter falling apart, requiring replacement.
When: 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Catalytic converter physically disintegrating
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed catalytic converter failure during brake inspection visit; not repaired per complaint record.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and supported dealer diagnosis; no repair documented
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-benz clk350. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with a faulty balance shaft, which ultimately caused premature wear. After the vehicle was serviced for regularly scheduled maintenance, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-benz of orange park (7018 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl) where it was diagnosed that…
2006 clk 350 coupe / check engine oil levels (message). I've owned my car since march 18, 2007. I'm writing to inform you that I have received a message three times stating "check engine oil levels" the message came on for the first time in july 2007. I drove the car back to the dealership where I bought the car from and I arrived at the service department 15 minutes before they closed and…
Check engine light came on in my 2006 mb 350 clk. Took to a mechanic was told it was a balance shaft issue and would cost about $5000 to repair. *kb
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 52,500 and 78,000 miles, with the median around 66,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,500; a quarter make it past 78,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Mercedes-Benz/CLK-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.