Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years to avoid (and the best years)
372 NHTSA owner complaints and 20 recalls across 7 model years, 2014 to 2020. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 372complaints
- 20recalls
- 19reported crashes
- 5reported fires
- 20reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years should you avoid?
No Mercedes-Benz CLA250 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes-Benz CLA250 year has 27 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2014 (177), 2016 (66) and 2015 (61).
What are the best Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (12), 2019 (12) and 2018 (17). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 12 | 0.4× | 2 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 12 | 0.4× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Wheels |
| 2018 | 17 | 0.6× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 27 | 1.0× | 10 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 66 | 2.4× | 8 | 5 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 61 | 2.3× | 7 | 5 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 177 | 6.6× | 6 | 4 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 13 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Other systems5 (38%)
- Electrical & infotainment2 (15%)
- Structure & body2 (15%)
- Engine & powertrain1 (8%)
- Brakes1 (8%)
Recalls (20)
Structure · 23V854000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 23V732000 · Nov 2023 · model year 2020
Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V365000 · May 2022 · model year 2017
A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Steering · 21V989000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2020
A sudden loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 21V229000 · Apr 2021 · model year 2017
A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
Structure · 21V197000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V072000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2017
A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 21V058000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2016, 2017
Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Airbags · 19V892000 · Dec 2019 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
In the event of a crash, if the air bag does not deploy as designed, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of an injury.
Safety · 19V787000 · Nov 2019 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V219000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
In the event of a crash, if the right side doors cannot be opened from the outside, it could increase the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 19V131000 · Feb 2019 · model year 2018
Reduced visibility increases the risk of crash.
Airbags · 18V514000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
If a child seat is in the front seat and the passenger air bag is not deactivated, in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Airbags · 17V627000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Electrical system · 17V177000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2016
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.
Electrical system · 17V114000 · Feb 2017 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 17V080000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2017
If the pelvis airbag or the front passenger airbag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Brakes · 16V901000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2014
If the vehicles unexpectedly need increased pressure on the brake pedal to apply the brakes, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Engine · 15V662000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2015
Engine damage may result in a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V426000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2014
If the fuses were not properly installed, they may lose electrical contact. In the event of a loss of electrical contact, certain systems may be impacted, including the function of the front passenger seat occupancy recognition system, the passenger side air bag indicator lamp, the instrument cluster and the windshield wipers. Should the function of the front passenger seat occupancy recognition system or the passenger side airbag indicator lamp be affected, the risk of injury for passengers in the event of a crash would be increased. Should the function of the instrument cluster and the windshield wipers be affected, the risk of a crash would be increased.