Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class problems
110 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Bought this car less than 30 days ago and it has very strong gas smell every time after refueling inside and outside the car...I have to leave my garage door open because of the strong gas fumes in the garage that also creep into the house!! *tr
I was driving and the reduce braking light came on. I pulled over stopped my vehicle because it stated that I needed to do so, restarted the vehicle and tried to make it home. I began to loose control of the steering and even though I was pushing the brake pedal to stop, the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-benz cls500. While driving 70 MPH, the "reduce brake" and "stop the vehicle" indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder lane where it was able to restart and resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an…
After filling my car, I started smelling a gas odor coming from the driver side back seat area when I reach home about 2 miles away from the service station where I filled up. I figure the smell would have go away but everytime I drive my car I can be assured to smell that gas…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 24 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 110,357 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 110,357 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 110 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.