Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 2 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

2 total · 2 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V732000 · Nov 2023

Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will install an inspection gauge and provide supplemental owner's manual information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Steering recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V989000 · Dec 2021

A sudden loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
A dealer will inspect and repair the power supply connection, as necessary, free of charge. The owner notification letter was mailed January 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021120016.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

12 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
1

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 1
A recent report: During the manufacturing process, particles was trapped between the fuel and rail injectors, which is causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or…
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During the manufacturing process, particles was trapped between the fuel and rail injectors, which is causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, increase the risk of a fire.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11588068 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
2

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 2
A recent report: Approximately several weeks ago, the check engine light illuminated in my vehicle. No issues were present at that time. Shortly after, approximately a week later, the vehicle began to stutter when…
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Approximately several weeks ago, the check engine light illuminated in my vehicle. No issues were present at that time. Shortly after, approximately a week later, the vehicle began to stutter when reversing or driving on surface streets after being on the highway. The vehicle also would stall after the check engine light flashed several times. The vehicle would need to be turned off and turned back on to accelerate correctly and not stall. This has not been inspected by the dealer yet, a service appointment has been made. Mercedes recently recalled other models due to a water intrusion issue, but this model was not included, however it is exhibiting nearly the exact same symptoms.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11500957 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V732000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment); however, the part to do the recall repair…
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The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V732000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11568628 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
1

Most reports here involve other issues. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

other issues 1
A recent report: The vehicle experienced a blowout of both tires on the drivers side while driving at high speeds on the highway. The sidewalls of both tires ruptured, causing the driver to lose control of the…
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The vehicle experienced a blowout of both tires on the drivers side while driving at high speeds on the highway. The sidewalls of both tires ruptured, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and wreck the suspension. This accident occured on March 26, 2022 (pending repair invoice). A similar incident in the same vehicle occured on March 20, 2021 that caused a blowout of both driver's side tires (attached repair invoice) after hitting a minor pothole. An additional two tires were replaced in July 2021 (attached repair invoice) and in January 2022. The high speed blowouts caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle at high speeds and almost caused a multi-car accident. The dealer has not acknowledged that the vehicle has any tire issues in spite of having to replace 5 tires due to blowouts and an additional tire due (done at another vendor) to a sidewall bubble within 14,000 miles of driving. There were no issues with the vehicle at the time of any accident. In fact the dealer had inspected the vehicle and tires the same week of the most recent accident (attached service invoice). It is my impression that the persistent tire issues represent a serious and dangerous problem with this vehicle.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11460171 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
1

Most reports here involve airbags deploying unexpectedly. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: The system that appeared to malfunction is the front airbags sensors. I drove past an accident on the freeway the left by some rocks/debris in the road. I steered away from the rocks avoiding my…
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The system that appeared to malfunction is the front airbags sensors. I drove past an accident on the freeway the left by some rocks/debris in the road. I steered away from the rocks avoiding my tires, however, both of my front airbags deploy as if i collided with something. This has completely disabled my vehicle on the freeway, and shattered my windshield. I had the car towed to a repair shop for further diagnostic, and they confirmed there is no front end impact or collision on my vehicle. There is minor undercarriage scrapping, but it isn't near the airbag sensor. There were no warning lights on my vehicle prior to this, and my vehicle has been in no accidents. What caused my airbags to deploy if there was no impact?

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11496424 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve other issues. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

other issues 2
A recent report: On 4/27 I was driving home on the freeway and there were little to no cars around me. There were no large trucks or debris coming from above me and there was no harsh weather. I heard a loud pop when…
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On 4/27 I was driving home on the freeway and there were little to no cars around me. There were no large trucks or debris coming from above me and there was no harsh weather. I heard a loud pop when i was driving and I pulled over and my whole sunroof shattered. The sunroof also has not been opened that day. The problem won’t be suspension is that when going over rough roads or bumps, my car squeaks. As for the steering, when I drive above 50 MPH and I brake, the car shakes. I’ve already taken it to two car shops to get it fixed and it problem persists.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11519496 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
4

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 4
A recent report: Nov 01,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number: 2024010010 NHTSA Recall Number: 23V732 Recall Status: Recall Incomplete The manufacturer has failed and is unable to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle…
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Nov 01,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number: 2024010010 NHTSA Recall Number: 23V732 Recall Status: Recall Incomplete The manufacturer has failed and is unable to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle in a timely manner.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11572508 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 12 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2020 and 2024, roughly 3 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2020 has 12 complaints on file, the same as the 2019 (12). Of the 7 model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 we cover, the 2014 has the most (177). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.