2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls550: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls550: 3 recalls, 23 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #12V533000 · 2012 · 23 vehicles
What's wrong: The bolts that hold the hood's secondary latch striker May have been insufficiently tightened.
Why it matters: 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…
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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #15V137000 · 2015 · 30,141 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
Electrical, Airbags Vehicle recall #17V177000 · 2017 · 51 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel & propulsion (8): the most common themes are leaks (6).
- Engine (4): the most common themes are leaks (3).
- Brakes (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls550 has 23 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 11 Cls550 model years for complaints (2.4× the average Cls550 year). Complaints peaked in 2025 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 49,280 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (4 complaints, 3 recalls), 2013 (4 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 7-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls550.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls550 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls550. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls550 problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel & propulsion (8), engine (4), brakes (3).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls550 get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (4.7 L, Automatic 7-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Cls550 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.