Mercedes-Benz CLS common problems & fixes (C218/X218 2011–2018, C257 2018–2023)

Written by the C4R team from DVSA data and owner reports. Fact-checked 2026-10-14.

30-second verdict

Buying a used Mercedes-Benz CLS (2011–2023)? Check recall paperwork, air suspension and the automatic gearbox first, and favour a six-cylinder diesel. Underneath, the CLS is a sleeker E-Class, sold as a four-door coupe and, from 2012 to 2017, as a Shooting Brake estate, so it suits drivers who want style and long-distance comfort more than rear headroom. On 2011–2016 builds, get proof that the steering-gear bolt recall was done; on 2018–2022 builds, check the gearbox wiring and diesel coolant-pump recalls. Air suspension, where fitted, can be costly to repair. Our pick, in line with reviewers' recommendations, is a late-2014 to 2017 CLS 350 BlueTEC or 350 d with the nine-speed gearbox, or a 2018-on CLS 350 d, with every recall closed.

Generations at a glance

Line-ups changed during each generation, so check the exact specification of the car in front of you rather than the badge. Petrol CLSs are much rarer than diesels in the UK.

Known issues

1. Steering-gear bolt corrosion recall (2010–2016 builds)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2023/023

• What you notice: probably nothing until a bolt has broken, so rely on the recall record rather than symptoms.
• Which cars: CLSs built 21/10/2010–23/11/2016, a window that spans most C218 coupe and X218 Shooting Brake production up to late 2016, although not every car in it is affected.
• Why: DVSA says moisture can get to the aluminium bolts that hold the steering gear, so they can corrode and break.
• Fix: free recall work at a Mercedes-Benz dealer. Steel bolts replace the aluminium ones, and the whole steering gear is changed if a bolt has already broken.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5. Recall work is for dealers.
• Check when buying: ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer to confirm this campaign is closed against the VIN. On the test drive, the steering should feel precise, with no knocks over bumps or at parking speed. Missing or ineffective steering-gear fixing bolts are a major MOT defect.
• Evidence: DVSA recall record R/2023/023; GOV.UK MOT inspection manual, section 2.1.2.

2. Air suspension leaks and compressor failure

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: the car sitting unevenly or lower at one corner, or a hissing noise from a leak.
• Which cars: C218 and X218 cars with the optional Airmatic air suspension; every X218 Shooting Brake has self-levelling rear suspension as standard. On the C257, air suspension came with the optional Comfort package and is standard on the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53.
• Why: the air springs can develop leaks and the compressor that keeps them inflated can fail.
• Fix: have a specialist find the leak before any parts are replaced, then renew the leaking spring, valve or compressor. Breakerlink, a UK used-parts business, says replacing air suspension struts can cost more than £1,000.
• DIY difficulty: 4/5.
• Check when buying: ask the seller not to move the car for a few hours before you arrive, then check that it sits level. If it has a ride-height button, raise and lower it and make sure both sides respond evenly. Listen for hissing, look for a suspension warning and ask for invoices for any air-suspension work. An inoperative air system or an obvious air leak is an MOT failure.
• Evidence: What Car?'s 2018–2023 reliability review (owner survey); Breakerlink's used CLS guide; Auto Express, RAC Drive, What Car? and Parkers on which cars have air or self-levelling suspension; GOV.UK MOT inspection manual, section 5.3.5.

3. Gearbox wiring recalls and shift quality

Label: Confirmed recall R/2022/250

• What you notice: usually nothing before the recall work is done. On older seven-speed cars, Breakerlink says owners report rough or delayed gear changes, a pause before Drive or Reverse engages and gearbox warnings, more often at high mileage.
• Which cars: the wiring recalls cover CLSs built 30/11/2017–16/03/2022 (R/2022/250), with follow-up campaigns for cars built 14/06/2018–16/03/2022 (R/2024/305) and 15/06/2018–03/05/2021 (R/2024/307). Those windows span most C257 production, but only some cars are affected, so check the VIN. The shift complaints concern the seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic used in most C218 and X218 versions.
• Why: DVSA says the transmission wiring harness may not have been routed to specification, and the 2024 campaigns say an earlier fix to the harness connector may not have been done correctly. Auto Express describes the risk as a possible short circuit in the transmission wiring loom. For the seven-speed gearbox, Breakerlink says owners report valve-body and speed-sensor faults.
• Fix: recall work is free: R/2022/250 adds a bracket to reroute the harness and checks the connections, and R/2024/305 and R/2024/307 fit a one-piece harness and connector. On a seven-speed car that shifts badly, get a diagnosis with Mercedes equipment first; Breakerlink says some need a new valve body and, in severe cases, a replacement gearbox.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5.
• Check when buying: on a C257, confirm all three campaigns against the VIN. On any CLS, drive from cold and check for smooth changes up and down the gears at light and full throttle, with no thump into Drive or Reverse and no warning message. Auto Express says the C257's gearbox needs a service at 77,500 miles, so ask for proof on cars past that mileage.
• Evidence: DVSA recall records R/2022/250, R/2024/305 and R/2024/307; Auto Express's used review of the 2018–2023 CLS; Breakerlink's used CLS guide; RAC Drive on the 7G-Tronic Plus gearbox.

4. Diesel emissions recalls, NOx sensors and AdBlue

Label: Confirmed recall R/2019/256

• What you notice: often nothing. If an emissions part has failed, you may see the engine warning light, an AdBlue warning or a countdown saying the engine will not start again after a set mileage.
• Which cars: diesel CLSs. R/2019/256 covers cars built 01/06/2012–30/11/2017 and R/2020/243 cars built 08/11/2011–31/05/2018. What Car? also reports a voluntary software recall to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions on diesels made between January 2011 and September 2015. AdBlue warnings apply only to diesels with an AdBlue (SCR) system.
• Why: both DVSA campaigns update the diesel engine software to improve emissions, and R/2020/243 also replaces NOx sensors where needed. Mercedes' workshop guidance for the E-Class and other models with the same BlueTEC engines says the AdBlue warning and countdown come from stored faults in the AdBlue system, so topping up does not cure them.
• Fix: ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer to confirm the software campaigns. An AdBlue fault has to be diagnosed and repaired with Mercedes equipment before the warning can be reset. A long-standing member of the MB Club owners' forum names a failed NOx sensor or AdBlue pump as the usual causes.
• DIY difficulty: 1/5 to top up AdBlue; 4/5 for diagnosis and sensor work.
• Check when buying: make sure no engine or AdBlue warning appears on the drive and the exhaust shows no visible smoke, which fails a diesel with a particulate filter at the MOT. Ask for proof that the emissions updates were done.
• Evidence: DVSA recall records R/2019/256 and R/2020/243; What Car?'s used reviews of the coupe and Shooting Brake; Auto Express's 2011–2018 used review, which counts two emissions-related software recalls; Daimler workshop information LI49.20-P-053539 (via NHTSA); an MB Club thread on an AdBlue countdown (2022).

5. Injector failures on early CLS 250 CDIs

Label: Manufacturer technical bulletin/known issue

• What you notice: the engine warning light, uneven running and limp-home mode. RAC Drive says some dealers struggled to replace the injectors to factory tolerances, leaving cars with poorer fuel economy.
• Which cars: C218 CLS 250 CDIs with the 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel, built before Mercedes stopped using the original injectors around mid-2012.
• Why: the Delphi piezo injectors fitted to the more powerful versions of this engine had a high failure rate, usually after about 50,000km (roughly 31,000 miles).
• Fix: Mercedes first fitted revised piezo injectors, then ran a customer service action that changed them for solenoid-type injectors, with a new engine control unit, an added fuel return line and a new engine cover. What Car? describes the UK work as a recall to replace the injectors.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5.
• Check when buying: ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer whether the injector work shows as completed on the VIN and ask the seller for invoices. Check that the engine idles smoothly with no warning lights, and compare the trip computer's fuel economy with what the owner says they get.
• Evidence: What Car?'s used review of the 2011–2018 CLS; RAC Drive's used review of the 2011–2014 CLS; AustralianCar.Reviews' C218 CLS recalls and faults page.

6. Coolant-pump recalls (2017–2021 builds)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2021/438

• What you notice: possibly nothing, so rely on the recall paperwork rather than symptoms.
• Which cars: diesel CLSs built 04/04/2017–12/10/2021 (R/2021/438), a window that takes in late C218s and X218s as well as C257s. A 2026 follow-up, R/2026/201, is filed under the E-Class but names CLS (257 platform) diesels. Separately, R/2019/281 covers CLSs built 01/11/2017–31/01/2019.
• Why: on the diesels, the vacuum-controlled coolant pump can leak between the vacuum system and the coolant circuit. Under R/2019/281, the power cable for the engine coolant pump can rub against the engine fan; Auto Express describes that campaign as being about coolant-pump short circuits.
• Fix: free recall work. R/2021/438 and R/2026/201 update the coolant-pump software and fit a new electrical switch valve; R/2019/281 checks and repairs any damage and reroutes the cable.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5 for recall work; 1/5 to check the coolant level when the engine is cold.
• Check when buying: confirm all three campaigns against the VIN, check the coolant level with the engine cold and make sure no temperature or coolant warnings appear on the drive.
• Evidence: DVSA recall records R/2021/438, R/2026/201 and R/2019/281; What Car?'s 2018–2023 reliability review; Auto Express's used review of the 2018–2023 CLS.

7. Petrol V6 or V8 rattle just after start-up

Label: Manufacturer technical bulletin/known issue

• What you notice: a rattle from the engine for several seconds after starting, which stops once oil pressure has built up.
• Which cars: petrol C218 and X218 cars with the M276 V6 (CLS 350 and CLS 400) or the M157 V8 (CLS 63 AMG), up to engine numbers listed by Mercedes.
• Why: Mercedes says the secondary timing-chain tensioners rattle until engine oil pressure reaches them, and that no follow-on damage is expected. It also warns that other parts can cause start-up noises.
• Fix: depending on the engine number, new left and right secondary chain tensioners, check valves in the tensioners' oil feed, or both. A workshop should confirm where the noise comes from first.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5.
• Check when buying: listen to a cold start, so ask the seller not to run the engine before you arrive. A rattle that clears within seconds fits this bulletin; one that lasts, or returns when warm, needs a specialist's opinion.
• Evidence: Mercedes-Benz workshop information LI05.10-P-056435, version 14 (2019, via NHTSA); AustralianCar.Reviews' C218 CLS faults page; engine allocations from the Wikipedia C218 entry.

8. Engine-bay seal fire-risk recalls (2012–2015 builds)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2015/041

• What you notice: nothing in normal driving.
• Which cars: C218 and X218 cars built 01/07/2012–31/12/2014 (R/2015/041) and 01/04/2015–31/05/2015 (R/2015/171).
• Why: a seal between the bonnet and the engine bay can stick to the bonnet, come loose and drop down behind the engine. DVSA says it could then touch the exhaust or catalytic converter and catch fire.
• Fix: free recall work: extra retaining clips under R/2015/041, or a new seal and fixings under R/2015/171.
• DIY difficulty: 1/5 to inspect; the recall work is done by a dealer.
• Check when buying: confirm both campaigns against the VIN. With the bonnet open, check that the seal along the back of the engine bay is present and clipped in place.
• Evidence: DVSA recall records R/2015/041 and R/2015/171; What Car?'s reliability review of the Shooting Brake; Auto Express's used review of the 2011–2018 CLS.

9. Electrical, infotainment and phone-pairing glitches

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: a newer phone that will not pair with the older Comand system, screen glitches, unresponsive controls, faulty sensors and rear lights that stop working.
• Which cars: C218 and X218 cars with Comand, and C257 cars with the MBUX system.
• Why: older Bluetooth systems can struggle with newer phones, and these cars carry a lot of electronics. Breakerlink says rear-light wiring can get pinched where it passes the boot.
• Fix: check for outstanding software updates first, then have hardware faults diagnosed properly rather than swapping parts.
• DIY difficulty: 1/5 for checks; 4/5 for module or wiring repairs.
• Check when buying: pair your own phone, then test the screens, navigation, cameras, parking sensors, seats, windows and every exterior light (open and shut the boot, then recheck the rear lights), plus the powered tailgate on a Shooting Brake.
• Evidence: What Car?'s 2011–2018 reliability review (infotainment gremlins and phone pairing); Auto Express's 2011–2018 used review (Bluetooth pairing); Breakerlink's used CLS guide; What Car?'s 2018–2023 owner survey (MBUX and sensor faults).

Recalls (DVSA data)

DVSA's recall file, as checked on 2026-10-13, lists 46 recall refs under the model names CLS, CLS(218) and CLS(257), plus R/2026/201, which is filed under the E-Class but names the CLS (257 platform). Five of them (R/2005/056, R/2008/149, R/2019/458, R/2021/145 and R/2023/020) belong to the first-generation CLS of 2004–2010, which this guide does not cover. Many campaigns were shared with other models, so some build windows start before CLS production began; we have left them as recorded. Not every car built inside a window is affected, so check each car by registration and VIN.

The key campaigns, newest first, in our own words (dates copied from the file):

The other refs cover software updates or small batches of cars. Check them the same way:

• Restraints and driver aids: R/2024/268 (pop-up bonnet may not trigger because of airbag control-unit data), R/2018/296 (front-passenger occupant classification), R/2018/267 (front seat-belt housing rivets), R/2020/240 (seat-belt warning) and R/2019/269 (radar software).
• Brakes, fuel, driveline and body (small batches): R/2026/148 (4MATIC drive-shaft universal joint), R/2023/223 (fuel pump impeller), R/2021/384 (front brake-caliper screws) and R/2012/148 (bonnet striker; one car recorded).
• Engine software: R/2022/019 (engine control unit), R/2024/474 (misfire detection on the M264 four-cylinder petrol) and R/2017/124 (control-unit coding done in a workshop on 3–5 December 2016, recorded with a build window of 01/01/2004–31/03/2017).
• Emergency call (eCall) and communication-module software: R/2020/236, R/2021/083, R/2021/110, R/2021/111, R/2021/120, R/2021/131, R/2021/132, R/2021/133, R/2021/134 and R/2021/376.

Anomalies, left as recorded: R/2019/372 has a 2019 ref but a launch date in August 2020; R/2026/148 and R/2026/201 each have a one-day build window, and R/2026/201's date of 30/05/2017 is earlier than C257 production, which began in January 2018. What Car?'s owner survey mentions a fire-risk recall for a 48-volt ground connection on 2021–2023 cars; the DVSA file has no CLS entry for it (similar campaigns are filed under the C-Class and E-Class), so ask a dealer to check the VIN.

Run every car through the GOV.UK vehicle recall check, then ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer to print the campaign status for the VIN so you can see which recalls are closed.

MOT watch-points

C4R has not calculated CLS-specific MOT statistics, so this guide quotes no pass rates. These checks link the CLS's known weak spots to the GOV.UK MOT inspection manual:

• Air suspension: an inoperative air suspension system is a dangerous defect, and an obvious leak from any part of it is a major one.
• Steering gear security: missing or ineffective steering-gear fixing bolts are a major defect, which is another reason to confirm recall R/2023/023 on 2010–2016 builds.
• Warning lights: an engine warning light that is not working or shows a malfunction (an emissions fault on a diesel can light it), an airbag light showing a malfunction, or a power-steering or stability-control warning showing a malfunction are major defects.
• Diesel smoke: a diesel with a particulate filter fails if it emits visible smoke of any colour, and evidence of filter tampering is also a failure. A leak of AdBlue on its own is not a reason for failure.
• Wheels and tyres: What Car? and RAC Drive both advise checking the large alloys for kerb damage. Tyres need at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters, with no cuts down to the cords and no bulges.
• Oil leaks: a leak that forms a pool more than 75mm across within five minutes is a failure.

These are condition checks, not predictions. Read the car's record on the GOV.UK MOT history service and look for repeat advisories on tyres, suspension, brakes and leaks.

Buying one? Our checklist

1. Run the GOV.UK recall check, then get a Mercedes-Benz dealer printout for the VIN showing every applicable campaign closed.
2. On a 2010–2016 build, confirm the steering-gear bolt recall R/2023/023; on a 2012–2015 build, confirm the engine-bay seal recalls R/2015/041 or R/2015/171.
3. On a C257, confirm the gearbox wiring recalls (R/2022/250, R/2024/305, R/2024/307) and, on a diesel, the coolant-pump recalls (R/2021/438, R/2026/201).
4. Let the car stand before your viewing and check it sits level; if it has air suspension, test the ride-height control and listen for leaks.
5. Drive it from cold: the gearbox should change smoothly up and down with no thump into Drive or Reverse and no warnings. Ask for gearbox service records on high-mileage cars.
6. On a diesel, check for engine or AdBlue warnings and smoke, and ask for proof of the emissions software updates (R/2019/256, R/2020/243).
7. On a 2011–2012 CLS 250 CDI, ask for proof that the injectors were replaced under Mercedes' campaign.
8. On a petrol V6 or V8, listen to a genuine cold start; a rattle that lasts more than a few seconds needs a specialist's opinion.
9. Pair your phone and test every screen, camera, sensor, seat, window and light, plus the tailgate on a Shooting Brake.
10. Read the MOT history and insist on a service record that matches the car's age and mileage.

Running costs

• Vehicle tax, cars first registered 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017: most C218 and X218 cars are taxed on the CO2 figure shown on the V5C. GOV.UK's current table runs from band A (£20 a year) to band M (£790 a year), so check the exact figure for the car you are viewing.
• Vehicle tax, cars first registered from 1 April 2017: a standard rate of £200 a year, plus £440 a year for five years from the second time the car is taxed if its list price was over £40,000. What Car? says every C257 cost more than £40,000 new, so a CLS stops paying the supplement once it is about six years old.
• Official fuel economy, C218 (older NEDC test): What Car? quotes 59mpg for the CLS 220 d, 54.3mpg for the CLS 250 CDI, 46.3mpg for the CLS 350 CDI, 40.4mpg for the V6 petrol and 28.5mpg for the CLS 63 AMG.
• Official fuel economy, C257 (WLTP test, not directly comparable with NEDC): What Car? quotes 45.6mpg for the CLS 300 d, 41.5mpg for the CLS 350 d and 400 d, 36.2mpg for the CLS 350, 34.0mpg for the CLS 450 and 31.0mpg for the AMG CLS 53. Parkers gives 42.8–48.7mpg for the 2021-on CLS 300 d 4MATIC and 38.1–42.1mpg for the CLS 400 d 4MATIC.
• Servicing, C218: Auto Express (April 2020) gives a 12-month or 15,500-mile interval, alternating minor and major services, with no cambelt to replace and coolant renewal every 15 years or 150,000 miles.
• Servicing, C257: Auto Express (March 2024) gives 12 months or 12,500 miles, brake fluid every two years, coolant every 10 years and a gearbox service at 77,500 miles; Parkers quotes 15,500 miles for pre-2021 cars, so follow the car's service display. Every CLS engine has a timing chain, not a cambelt.
• Towing: Auto Express says the C218 saloon is not approved for towing, so you need a Shooting Brake for that. The C257 can tow up to 1,900kg.

Sources & further reading

Official data and checks

• data.gov.uk: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch recalls database
• GOV.UK: check if a vehicle has been recalled
• GOV.UK: check the MOT history of a vehicle
• GOV.UK: vehicle tax rates for cars registered on or after 1 April 2017
• GOV.UK: vehicle tax rates for cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017
• GOV.UK: MOT inspection manual, section 2 (steering)
• GOV.UK: MOT inspection manual, section 5 (axles, wheels, tyres and suspension)
• GOV.UK: MOT inspection manual, section 7 (other equipment)
• GOV.UK: MOT inspection manual, section 8 (nuisance)

Manufacturer documents

• Mercedes-Benz: rattling noise after engine start, LI05.10-P-056435 version 14 (2019, via NHTSA)
• Daimler: Check AdBlue or no-start countdown with AdBlue fault codes, LI49.20-P-053539 (2015, via NHTSA)

Used-car reviews and reliability

• What Car?: used Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe 2011–2018 review
• What Car?: used Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe 2011–2018 reliability
• What Car?: used Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake 2012–2018 reliability
• What Car?: used Mercedes CLS 2018–2023 review
• What Car?: used Mercedes CLS 2018–2023 reliability
• Auto Express: used Mercedes CLS Mk2 (2011–2018) review
• Auto Express: used Mercedes CLS Mk3 (2018–2023) review
• Parkers: Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe (2018–2024) review
• Parkers: Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe (2018–2024) running costs and reliability
• Parkers: Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe (2018–2024) engines
• RAC Drive: Mercedes-Benz CLS (2011–2014) used car review
• Breakerlink: used Mercedes-Benz CLS common problems, reliability and what to look for
• AustralianCar.Reviews: recalls and faults, Mercedes-Benz C218 CLS-Class (2011–17)
• Wikipedia: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C218)
• Wikipedia: Mercedes-Benz CLS (C257)

Owner reports

• MB Club UK forum: AdBlue question (2017 E 220 d, 2022)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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