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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 486 complaints about the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class with NHTSA since 2012, most often about engine and electrical system. Mercedes-Benz has filed 8 warranty extensions and 26 service campaigns for it, and there are 33 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the CLA-Class a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2012 on.
- Owner complaints
- 486
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 8
- Filed by Mercedes-Benz
- Service campaigns
- 26
- Filed by Mercedes-Benz
- Safety recalls
- 33
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the CLA-Class with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (100%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 | Electrical system (100%) | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 | Other or unspecified (100%) | 0 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 | Other or unspecified (50%) | 1 | 13 |
| 2022 | 5 | Other or unspecified (40%) | 0 | 16 |
| 2021 | 9 | Other or unspecified (44%) | 6 | 22 |
| 2020 | 25 | Electrical system (32%) | 13 | 20 |
| 2019 | 22 | Engine (18%) | 6 | 12 |
| 2018 | 46 | Electrical system (26%) | 10 | 5 |
| 2017 | 27 | Electrical system (26%) | 10 | 6 |
| 2016 | 67 | Other or unspecified (30%) | 9 | 5 |
| 2015 | 64 | Other or unspecified (27%) | 7 | 6 |
| 2014 | 195 | Engine (35%) | 6 | 4 |
| 2013 | 9 | Airbags (56%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | 7 | Airbags (43%) | 0 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single CLA-Class model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Mercedes-Benz
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Mercedes-Benz filed with NHTSA for the CLA-Class, in its own words. A warranty extension means Mercedes-Benz pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2026· Engine· model years 2019–2026
Complaint -Check engine light illuminated. -Engine runs rough.
- Warranty extensionJan 2026· Engine· model years 2020–2024
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage on the exhaust valve system in your vehicle from the original New…
- Warranty extensionAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2015–2026
Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, G-Class, CL, CLS, ML, GL, GLE, GLS, GLC, SL, and AMG GT (204, 205, 207, 212, 213, 217, 221, 222, 463, 216, 218, 166, 292, 253, 231,…
- Warranty extensionApr 2024· Fuel system· model years 2020–2023
IMPORTANT EMISSION EXTENDED WARRANTY INFORMATION In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC ("MBUSA") is extending the warranty coverage on the Fuel System Control…
- Warranty extensionJul 2023· Fuel system· model years 2020
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (âMBUSAâ) is extending the warranty coverage on the fuel supply hose in certain Model Year (âMYâ) vehicles listed…
- Warranty extensionMar 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2020–2022
In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (âMBUSAâ) is extending the warranty coverage on the exhaust valve system in certain Model Year (âMYâ) vehicles…
- Warranty extensionAug 2022· Cruise control and speed control· model years 2014–2017
Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has extended the warranty for the accelerator pedal wiring harness and connectors from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles for certain Model Year (“MY”)…
- Warranty extensionJan 2015· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2014–2017
In our continuing efforts to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has decided to extend the warranty for certain fuel tank components in certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
- Service campaignMay 2025· Engine· model years 2024
Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain subject vehicles, the ME-SFI control unit software does not meet current production specifications. As a result, a check engine malfunction indicator lamp might erroneously be triggered.
- Service campaignMay 2025· Engine· model years 2014–2019
Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain subject vehicles, the SCN coding in the Belt-driven Starter Alternator (BSA) control unit does not correspond to the latest production specifications.
- Service campaignMay 2024· Body and structure· model years 2023
Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY 2023 CLA (118 platform) vehicles, the upper area of the fender may be in contact with the side wall due to sheet metal burr.
- Service campaignApr 2024· Electrical system· model years 2019–2024
This is to notify you of the Service Campaign OTA update for the MBUX system software in 750,313 Model Year (MY) MY19-24 A-Class, CLA, CLS, E-Class, EQB, GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS, GT 4-door (177, 118, 257, 213, 238, 243, 247, 253,167, 290 platform) vehicles.
- Service campaignFeb 2024· Electrical system· model years 2024
This is to notify you of the Service Campaign Launch to update MBUX Control Unit software in 12,941 Model Year (âÂÂMYâÂÂ) 2024-2025 CLA, EQB, GLA, GLB, GLE, GLS, and AMG GT 4-door (118, 243, 247, 167, and 290 platform).
- Service campaignFeb 2024· Electrical system· model years 2020–2023
Mercedes-Benz AG (âÃÂÃÂMBAGâÃÂÃÂ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY20-23 A-Class, C-Class, CLA, CLS, E-Class, GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS, AMG GT, S-Class (177, 205, 118, 257, 213, 238, 247, 253, 167, 290, 217, 222 platform)…
- Service campaignJan 2024· Electrical system· model years 2019–2023
Mercedes-Benz AG (âÂÂMBAGâÂÂ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY 2019-2023 A-Class, CLA, E-Class, G-Class, GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS, and S-Class (177, 118, 238, 463, 247, 253, 167, and 222 platform) vehicles, the communication…
Manufacturer reference NCU-OTA Comm Mod: quote it to a dealer to check whether a car is covered.
- Service campaignJan 2024· Electrical system· model years 2017–2021
Mercedes-Benz AG (âÂÂMBAGâÂÂ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that in certain MY 2017-2021 C-Class, CLA, CLS, E-Class, GLC, GLE, GLS, AMG GT, S-Class, SL, and SLC (205, 117, 257, 213/238, 253, 166/292, 190/290,217/222, 231, 172) vehicles, the software of…
- Service campaignJan 2024· Electrical system· model years 2020–2023
Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: On behalf of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA), thank you for being a part of the Mercedes-Benz family.
Manufacturer reference CL-CommMod: quote it to a dealer to check whether a car is covered.
- Service campaignDec 2023· Electrical system· model years 2019–2023
Mercedes-Benz AG (âÂÂMBAGâÂÂ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY19-23 A-Class, C-Class, CLA, CLS, E-Class, EQB, G-Class, GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS, AMG GT, S-Class (177, 205, 118, 257, 213, 238, 243, 463, 247, 253, 167, 290, 217,…
Manufacturer reference OTA-Comm Mod SW: quote it to a dealer to check whether a car is covered.
- Service campaignDec 2023· Electrical system· model years 2019–2023
Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY19-23 A-Class, CLA, CLS, E-Class, EQB, GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS, AMG GT (177, 118, 257, 213, 238, 243, 247, 253,167, 290 platform) vehicles, the head unit software does not correspond…
Manufacturer reference OTA-Head Unit SW: quote it to a dealer to check whether a car is covered.
- Service campaignAug 2023· Electrical system· model years 2018–2023
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY 2018-2023 C-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, EQS SUV, GLC, GLE and S-Class (206, 295, 294, 297, 296, 254, 167 and 223 platform) vehicles, the communication module software does…
Manufacturer reference NCU-HU SW Update: quote it to a dealer to check whether a car is covered.
- Service campaignAug 2023· Wheels· model years 2023–2024
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY 2023 CLA-Class (118 platform) vehicles, tires with misaligned sidewall stripes may have been installed.
- Service campaignFeb 2023· Electrical system· model years 2021–2022
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has produced certain MY 2021-2022 A-Class, CLA-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, GLA-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, GLEClass, GLS-Class, and AMG GT (177, 118, 257, 213, 247, 253, 167 and 290 platform) vehicles without the…
- Service campaignOct 2022· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2019–2020
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain MY 2019-2020 A-Class and CLA-Class (118 and 177 platform) vehicles, the transmission control unit software does not correspond with the current series configuration.
- Service campaignJul 2022· Engine and cooling· model years 2020–2021
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY 2020-2021 CLA-Class and GLA-Class (118 and 247 platform) vehicles, the engine coolant line may leak due to high pressure within the engine coolant system.
- Service campaignJul 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2021
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year 2021 CLA (118 platform), GLE/GLS (167 platform), C-Class (205 platform), E-Class (213 platform), GLA (247 platform), GLC (253 platform), AMG GT (290 platform) and…
- Service campaignJun 2022· Electrical system· model years 2020–2022
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (âMYâ) 2020-2022 A-Class, C-Class, CLAClass, GLA-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, GLE-Class, and GLS-Class (118, 167, 177, 205, 247, and 253 platform) vehicles,…
- Service campaignJun 2022· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2019–2020
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain MY 2019-2020 CLA-Class, A-Class, and GLB-Class (118, 177, and 247 platform) vehicles, the transmission control unit software may not correspond to current product specifications.
- Service campaignMay 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2021
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain Model Year (âMYâ) 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, GLB-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT 4-doors/Coupe (118, 167, 177, 190, 213, 238, 247,…
- Service campaignApr 2022· Electrical system· model years 2021–2022
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that certain MY 2021-2022 CLA-Class, A-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, GLA-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class (118, 177, 213, 238, 247, 253, and 257 platform) vehicles were manufactured without the HERMES…
- Service campaignApr 2022· Body and structure· model years 2020–2021
Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain MY 2020-2021 CLA-Class (118 platform) vehicles, the side impact strut of the front and rear doors may not correspond to the current series production specification.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every CLA-Class model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine127 (26%)
- Electrical system97 (20%)
- Other or unspecified90 (19%)
- Airbags60 (12%)
- Transmission and drivetrain43 (9%)
- Body and structure41 (8%)
- Cruise control and speed control39 (8%)
- Stability control21 (4%)
Safety recalls
33 recalls cover at least one CLA-Class model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
A component of the left front seat belt may have been installed incorrectly.
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information.
The front passenger seat belt retractor may have been manufactured with a defect that prevents the deactivation of the child seat safety function (Automatic Locking Retractor).
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details.
The vehicles may not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads.
The tires may leak air.
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
The rear brake caliper housing fasteners may be loose, which can reduce brake performance or cause rear brake components to detach from the vehicle.
The power supply connection to the electric power steering may have been contaminated with melted adhesive, which can cause the power steering assist to fail while driving.
During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
The steering shaft bore hole for the universal joint bearing may allow excessive movement that, over time, could result in the separation of the bearing and universal joint.
The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Incorrect spark plugs may have been installed, which could come apart over time and cause engine damage.
And 18 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2014–2018
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
- PE21001Preliminary evaluation· opened Jan 2021, closed Oct 2021· Body and structure· model years 2014–2019
Front Roof Panel Detachment
Led to recall 21V197000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2012 on: 486 owner complaints, 8 warranty extensions and 26 service campaigns Mercedes-Benz filed, and 33 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2014 (195), 2016 (67), 2015 (64). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
Across every model year since 2012, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (26%), electrical system (20%), other or unspecified (19%). Mercedes-Benz has filed 8 warranty extensions covering the CLA-Class, listed on this page.
Which CLA-Class model years have the most complaints?
2014 (195), 2016 (67), 2015 (64). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the CLA-Class with each other rather than with other models.
Has Mercedes-Benz extended the warranty on the CLA-Class?
Yes: engine (model years 2019–2026); engine (model years 2020–2024); electrical system (model years 2015–2026), and 5 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a CLA-Class?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 33 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.