CarRecallDB

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 recalls and problems

3 recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550.

3
recalls
23
owner complaints
1
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 recalls

Electrical system: software · Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 17V177000 · reported March 14, 2017 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · 51 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
The risk
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA campaign 15V137000 · reported March 10, 2015 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · 30,141 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLS 400 and CLS 400 4matic, 2012-2015 CLS 550 and CLS 550 4matic, 2012-2013 CLS 63, 2014 CLS 63, and 2014-2015 CLS 63P. The affected vehicles have LED tail lights that may not light on the sides, reducing the rear side visibility of the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
Reduced rear side marker illumination may prevent other drivers from seeing the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the lighting controller software, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015030005.

Latches/locks/linkages: hood, latch

NHTSA campaign 12V533000 · reported November 6, 2012 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · 23 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2012 CLS550 and CLS550 4Matic vehicles, manufactured December 01, 2011, through December 13, 2011. The bolts that hold the hood's secondary latch striker may have been insufficiently tightened.
The risk
The reduced torque of the striker bolts might lead to a loosening of the bolts. If two of the four bolts securing the striker became loose, the secondary hood latch function would become ineffective. If this problem combines with a failure of the primary hood lock or if the hood is not properly closed, the hood could open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will check and retighten the bolts as necessary. Mercedes-Benz notified the owners by phone for this campaign starting on 11/21/2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 5, 2025 · Suspension

Mercedes-Benz offers an extended warranty, effectively a 20-year/unlimited mileage coverage, for the rear subframe due to corrosion with perforation, covering specific model years my vehicles make and model are included. I’m having the issues they claim free repair for.

Oct 3, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system

For several months I been smelling different odors from my 2012 CLS550, getting stronger as the weeks go by now smelling like gas, would noticed puddles whenever I parked from rear driver side area towards middle, just got the news from the mechanic that the driver side fuel gas pump is cracked and leaking gas and…

Jul 27, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system

There is a strong odor of gasoline coming from the drivers side rear. I conducted a Google search on the issue and there are a lot of instances of the same thing. It appears to be the Gas Tank Sending Unit, they have a tendency to crack and leak.

Mar 19, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system

I have Mercedes Benz CLS 550. Whenever I fill up a tank full, I smell gas in the CAR and in my garage. After researching the cause of this issue , I found its a common issue with Mercedes Benz older vehicles where the fuel sender unit cracks and start leaking Gas which is located under the rear seat driver side…

Jan 27, 2025 · Unknown or other

The vehicle sunroof exploded while traveling on the interstate. Stopped and inspected the vehicle to find no impact objects inside the vehicle. Later reviewed online that this was a common problem with this modern Mercedes and the item is already under recall but not my year. I have a 2012 and the recall stops at 2011…

CLS550 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2009 3410
2010 3100
2011 3400
2012 32310
2013 3400
2014 41010
2015 4100

Across all years, the 2007 CLS550 has the most complaints (35). All Mercedes-Benz CLS550 years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, the most recent reported on March 14, 2017 (Electrical system: software, Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550?
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel/propulsion system (8 complaints), followed by engine (4).
How many 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 complaints mention a crash or fire?
1 of 23 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 5, 2025.