Mercedes BENZ CLA Class Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mercedes BENZ CLA Class options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mercedes BENZ CLA Class has 161 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2019 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Mercedes BENZ
- Model
- CLA Class
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 161
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Crash-related complaints
- 13
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2019 (51 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2022 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe MERCEDES BENZ CLA CLASS has 161 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. 13 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 161 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 0 federal recall campaigns
- 13 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
0 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 161 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
161 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I was driving on the highway at 9:30 AM in about 65 degree whether in a 2022 Mercedes Benz CLA equipped with a panoramic sunroof. I got on the exit ramp which was directly under a highway bridge when suddenly I heard a single, loud bang. I look up and realized that my sunroof had completely shattered and I all could see was the bare sky above the windscreen. Luckily, there was no one in the passenger seat and no other drivers around me because I suddenly swerved due to the shocking nature of the incident. My vehicle is only 2.5 years old, and I bought it brand-new. In addition, I keep it maintained at a local Mercedes-Benz dealership. There was absolutely no indication that this was going to happen. The sunroof is not used often, and there were no signs of weakness or cracking.
While traveling on the highway (approximately 70mph) the panoramic sunroof exploded into countless tiny pieces of glass. Nothing hit the sunroof (no visible damage from any falling object on the sunscreen under the sunroof), nor did the vehicle hit anything. Completely random. This is apparently a common issue.
Sunroof shattered and exploded while driving
I was driving on the 210 interstate freeway at about 60mph. I saw that the cars around 0.25 miles in front of me had stopped due to traffic jam so i started braking. The second I started braking my boyfriend in the passenger seat realized the car wasn't slowing down so he told me you need to brake. So I started pressing the brakes hard and when I was around 10 cars away, I realized that I have already pressed the brake pedal all the way down and couldn't go any further but the brake still wasn't braking and didn't work. So I hit the car in front of me. Therefore the accident was caused by the brakes not functioning. My passenger and I was put in danger because of this as well as the person I hit. Luckily it was only minor injuries. Only I had bruises on my leg. I have found several articles stating that the same exact make and model have been recalled because of their brakes also failing. Before the accident, I realized that the brakes would make noise when I braked sometimes, so I brought the car to Mercedes dealership and mentioned to them to see if there was a problem, but they took a quick look at the inside of my car and told me everything is fine. There was no warning lamps messages or any other symptoms before the problem.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The instrument cluster display intermittently failed, either showing incorrect information or going completely blank while driving. Yes, the component is still installed in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the display failed, I was unable to view critical information such as vehicle speed, warning lights, and engine performance data. This posed a significant safety risk, especially while navigating traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the issue was reproduced and confirmed by a independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps or error messages prior to the failure. The issue first appeared June 20, 2025 and began occurring intermittently before worsening over time.
Component or System That Failed or Malfunctioned: The component that failed was the partial-load ventilation valve, which is part of the engine’s crankcase ventilation system. This valve is responsible for regulating airflow and pressure within the crankcase during partial engine loads. A malfunction in this valve can lead to increased engine pressure, oil leaks, and potential damage to engine components. The component is still available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The failure of the partial-load ventilation valve put my safety, and that of others, at risk in the following ways: •Engine stalling or reduced power while driving, especially during acceleration, which increases the risk of an accident. •In some cases, oil leakage caused by excess crankcase pressure could lead to engine compartment smoke or a potential fire hazard. •If the engine performance is compromised, it may suddenly lose power on highways or intersections, posing a serious risk. Problem Reproduced or Confirmed: Yes, the issue was confirmed. The technician verified the faulty valve during a diagnostic inspection after I noticed performance issues and warning messages. Inspected by Manufacturer, Dealer, or Others: Yes, the vehicle was inspected Warning Lamps, Messages, or Other Symptoms: Yes, there were warning signs prior to the failure: •Check Engine Light illuminated on the dashboard. •Engine running rough or hesitating, particularly during acceleration.
Read 14 more owner reports
Approximately 6 months I noticed my vehicle began to emit an odor and is not responsive immediately when I press on the gas. During this time period a yellow check engine light appeared on my dashboard. My local mechanic recommended Christopher Motors in Warwick Rhode Island and German Motors in Providence, Rhode Island, who specializes in Mercedes. I scheduled an appointment and took the vehicle to Christophers Motors to get a diagnostics check for $130. Christopher motors did a diagnostic check and revealed that the car needs a crank shift ventilator that will cost approximately $1500-$1800 and could not guarantee if the service engine light would be removed. During this time I received a Vehicle Registration Suspension notification for the State of RI for a failed safety inspection. I was extremely stressed receiving this notification as I recently purchased this vehicle, and I am being told by the State of RI my car is unsafe to drive and my transportation for work is being removed. I had to contact the State of RI and advised that no one will fix the safety check engine light problem and I need a time extension to contact the Mercedes Dealer. I then scheduled an appointment with Mercedes, Warwick RI and was told that the part for this repair was back ordered and that there is an extended warranty on this repair. (Exhibit A). This immediately put my mind at ease, and I could see a solution to this two-month long problem. Then I was informed that the extended warranty is only for 14 models all within the same year as my vehicle. The Dealership also advised that Mercedes may add the recall for the CLA 250 in the future and I would be reimbursed for the repair. I then contacted Mercedes of USA by letter requesting that my vehicle experiencing the same design errors on the crankcase ventilation system be included in their extended warranty. Unfortunately they would not add my vehicle to the extended warranty and did not provide a detailed explanation.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact heard a loud pop inside the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and the contact observed that the sunroof panel was missing. A Police Officer passing by stated that he observed that the panel had detached and land on the street. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The trunk latch system failed, causing the trunk to open unexpectedly. Yes, the component is available for inspection upon request. 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The trunk opened while driving on [XXX], creating a significant blind spot. This occurred during high traffic conditions and forced me to move to the outer lane, which posed a risk to my safety and the safety of other drivers on the road. 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the problem has been reported by many other owners as well, suggesting a widespread issue. Additionally, Elite Bmers & Benz in Spring, Texas, inspected the car but could not immediately identify the problem. They need to conduct further research to determine the cause. 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle was inspected by Elite Bmers & Benz in Spring, Texas. However, the problem could not be pinpointed immediately, and further research is needed. It has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. 5.Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the trunk opening unexpectedly. The problem occurred without any prior indication. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving 68-70 MPH, the front roof panel separated from the vehicle and flew off. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V854000 (Structure) and 21V197000 (Structure). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Just replaced water pump and still need to replace positive Crankcase ventilation system hose
The airbag spontaneously deployed while driving. No impact with any other vehicle and no previous damage.
Wheel Rim cracks in normal driving conditions.
Hello, My 2017 CLA Mercedes was recalled April 1 2021. They said its a hole in the steering shaft and it can lead to noises and crash! Its been over 3 months and the manufacturer has not fixed my car. Everytime I call they don't have an update on when it's going to be fixed. I have my family who I drive around in this car and I'm worried the steering might cause harm to us. We need assistance in getting this resolved. Thanks
The Panoramic Sunroof Glass front cover has detached three times from my 2017 CLA 250 (VIN#[XXX]). The first time that it detached was with the previous owner and was repaired at a Mercedes dealership in Tampa Florida. It has since detached twice with ME and I have only owned it for 12 months. The first time that it detached with me, I was driving approximately 60 MPH on I-85 in Montgomery. AL. It blew off and could have definitely caused a VERY SERIOUS accident, but luckily no vehicles were behind me at the time 4/29/21. So I went to the local Montgomery, AL. Mercedes dealership, Jack Ingram, and they said that there was No RECALL and there was nothing that they could do. So I had to purchase my own replacement glass from Mercedes and have an auto glass repair co. install it. Fast-forward to 6/18/21, the newly installed roof glass blew off again as I was driving down S.R. 115 in Montgomery, AL. I was going 55 at the time. This time it blew off and several cars had to swerve to miss it. One vehicle did run over it a broke it in two. Traffic has to stop while I jumped out and picked it up from the ROW. I guess MercedesBenz USA will make this right once it flies off for the 4th time and seriously injures someone or worse. Can someone PLEASE help me with this issue? [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at various speeds, the panoramic sunroof detached from the vehicle without warning. The contact stated that the roof remained exposed with the wires from the sunroof hanging from the ceiling. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer twice where the replacement part for the sunroof were ordered. An independent glass technician repaired the panoramic sunroof however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by email however, there was no response. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,500.
UPON STARTUP IN COLD WEATHER...STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE CAN BE NOTICED IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LINE CONNECTED TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOON AFTER HAVING HER OIL CHANGED, A COOLANT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE COOLANT WAS ADDED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE HOME SCREEN WOULD GO BLANK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V114000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY MADE A LEFT TURN INTO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF HER VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO ACCELERATE AND JUMP THE CURB EVENTUALLY COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HOWEVER AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION WARNING ALERT ILLUMINATED. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE AND THE WHOLE DRIVER SIDE WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FOUR BROKEN TEETH, EYE DAMAGE, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, SHOULDER DAMAGE, SEIZURES, AND SPEECH DAMAGE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNDRIVABLE HOWEVER REPAIRABLE BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AS THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA250. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ADDITIONALLY, THE RADIO TURNED OFF ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OPEN ROAD OF BRIDGEWATER (1250 US-22 BRIDGEWATER, NJ 08807, 908-213-5841) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND THE BATTERY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,458.*JB
Showing 20 of 161 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mercedes BENZ CLA Class
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Mercedes BENZ CLA Class, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mercedes BENZ CLA Class has 161 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mercedes BENZ CLA Class has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 13 of the Mercedes BENZ CLA Class's 161 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mercedes BENZ CLA Class vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mercedes BENZ CLA Class vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mercedes BENZ CLA Class has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Mercedes BENZ CLA Class reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes BENZ CLA Class reliable?
Poor. The Mercedes BENZ CLA Class has 161 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mercedes BENZ CLA Class years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2019 (51 complaints), 2018 (45 complaints), 2017 (27 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Mercedes BENZ CLA Class problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (32 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (29 complaints); ENGINE (24 complaints).
Does the Mercedes BENZ CLA Class have recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are currently on record for the Mercedes BENZ CLA Class. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.