2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 10 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class has 10 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 CL-Class | 5 | 0 |
| 2006 CL-Class | 9 | 0 |
| 2007 CL-Class | 9 | 0 |
| 2008 CL-Class (this page) | 10 | 0 |
| 2009 CL-Class | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 CL-Class | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 CL-Class | 6 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — 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.
Ask anything about your 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Strong odor of gas after fill the tank up. The odor was outside, and it eventually disappeared when the level of gas is lower. There was also gas leaking underneath (driver's rear side). I was told to replace the fuel gasket, after doing that, the odor is now inside the car,…
Ref: complaint 10549686 I am entering a second complaint regarding casting defects in order to simplify it and to present information that proves Mercedes-benz must replace one wheel on my vehicle. According to the usa consumer action handbook contacting NHTSA is suggested.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-benz cl550. The contact stated that while making a u-turn going 5 MPH, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate once the accelerator pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted…
Went out this morning driving. After about 15 minutes of driving saw white smoke in rear view mirror. Then I saw white smoke coming from front of vehicle from under the hood. Pulled over raised hood and saw smoke and flames. *tr
Common questions
Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-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 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-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 8.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 10 owner complaints. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz CL-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 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 10 complaints on file, 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.