A cast aluminum wheel on my 2008 Mercedes benz cls63 amg cracked due to a casting defect. In the inside lip of the rim of the wheel at the outer diameter is a void, or hole, that was created by a an air bubble that was entrained in the molten metal but could not escape the mold before the metal solidified. This void makes the radius of the wheel at that point weak and susceptible to cracking…
2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class wheels problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $400 · see wheels across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
When does it fail?
Of the 3 wheels complaints filed for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 4 model years of Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class we track for wheels problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA wheels complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
A Mercedes-benz 2008 cls63 amg has four OEM cast aluminum wheels with large casting defects in the form of debris collected at a knit line around its circumference. The other three pictures show the knit line as well as mold debris. The deformity, or knit line, is the location where the two mold fronts meet when the mold is filled. One of these defects looks like it goes all of the way…
My vehicle had 9,000 miles on it and is driven in moderation. One of the rims needed to be replaced because it was cracked - the other 3 are bent. Within 1,500 mile, I have learned that the replaced rim is now also bent. I am concerned about the vehicle's saftey while driving at freeway speeds - the car shakes. The manufacturer refuses to replace the wheels stating no defects or recalls have been…
Had wheels trouble with your 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 wheels problem on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, wheels issues most often appear around 38,355 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $400 for wheels 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 wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels 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/2008/Mercedes-Benz/CLS-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.