KNOWN FAULTS · Mercedes-Benz

Known faults for the Mercedes-Benz CL (C215).

2000–2006 · Petrol

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

2 known faults with sources

Engines: CL 500 / 600 (Petrol) · CL 55 / 65 AMG (Petrol)

Applies if: Only if fitted with air suspension.

AIRMATIC leaks and compressorSuspension

Engine / equipment: AIRMATIC air suspension: E-Class W211, W212 and W213, S W220 to W223, CLS, CL, ML W164, GL, GLE and GLS
Period mentioned: 2002–2026
Symptoms: One corner sags overnight, suspension fault warning, the compressor runs a lot or a compressor overheated message appears; eventually the car sits low and rides hard.
Possible cause described: The air bellows on the struts leak with age, often at the upper crimp rings, and the compressor overworks until it burns out. The valve block and lines also leak, and the compressor relay (in the rear SAM on W221, W222 and W213) and ride height sensors fail.
Check for the garage: Spray soapy water on bellows, lines and valve block; read each corner's data with Xentry; check the compressor fuse and relay. Do not replace the compressor without fixing the leak first, or the new one will fail soon.
Cost cited in the source: Compressor: approx. €600–1,200 at an independent garage (converted from Canadian dollars); bellows: depends on the cornerA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 95,000–115,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Engines: CL 500 / 600 (Petrol) · CL 55 / 65 AMG (Petrol)

Applies if: Only if fitted with the automatic gearbox described in the record.

13-pin connector leak on the 722.6 gearboxAutomatic gearbox

Engine / equipment: 722.6 five-speed automatic (5G-Tronic), not the 7G-Tronic: C-Class W203, E-Class W210 and W211, CLK, S-Class W220, ML W163, SLK, SL R230, Vito and Sprinter with this gearbox
Period mentioned: 1996–2013
Symptoms: Oil around the electrical connector on the side of the gearbox, harsh shifts or slipping, delayed engagement and limp mode: the car stays in one gear (usually 2nd and reverse after a restart) and the engine light comes on.
Possible cause described: The plastic adapter of the 13-pin connector has O-rings that harden and let oil out. Oil can wick up inside the wiring to the gearbox control unit and damage it. If the problem persists after replacing the connector, there may be oil in the harness, a damaged wire or a conductor plate fault.
Check for the garage: Read the gearbox control unit codes before switching off if possible (a restart can clear them). Look for oil at the connector and, with it unplugged, on its pins and at the control unit plug. According to the service bulletin, the connector should only be removed with gearbox oil below 50 °C to avoid damaging the conductor plate, and the harness must be routed without tension.
Cost cited in the source: Connector adapter: about $15–20 in parts (US prices quoted in the sources), plus the lost fluid; labour extra. If oil has reached the control unit, the repair is bigger.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.