Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 448 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 (2012–2023) that have at least 5 complaints. 2014 has the most, with 179. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (119 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All CLA250 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | — | 0 | 178 | — | Too new |
| 2021 | 7 | — | 5 | 244 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 20 | 15,934 | 11 | 286 | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 23 | 35,000 | 6 | 144 | — | Rising |
| 2018 | 41 | 27,000 | 9 | 106 | 34 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 28 | 39,381 | 10 | 108 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 67 | 37,000 | 8 | 98 | 74 · More | Stable |
| 2015 | 61 | 36,954 | 7 | 109 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2014 | 179 | 16,768 | 6 | 105 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 9 | 70,000 | 0 | 59 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 7 | 65,000 | 0 | 51 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine119 24%
- Other or unknown87 17%
- Electrical system87 17%
- Air bags58 12%
- Vehicle speed control44 8.7%
- Transmission and drivetrain38 7.6%
- Body and structure36 7.2%
- Fuel system34 6.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2015: “)n 6/15/20 while driving to a doctors appointment on the highway, my engine suddenly overheated and it warned me to pull over immediately. The vehicle had 37,800 miles on it. On diagnosis, it was found that a valve in the water pump had seized from a coolant leak, preventing it from opening and circulating coolant into the engine. Unfortunately, the car was just out of warranty.,”
NHTSA complaint #11383815, filed 2020-12, 37,800 miles2014: “While traveling with my wife and newborn on highway 64 my 2014 cla mb cut off( while in motion ) and gave a code 'do not shift gears 'visit dealer. Somehow the car switch to netural while I coast the car to a safe edge of the road. We were terrified!! Next it gave a transmission code in red to do not shift visit dealer. I'm not sure if any recalls but this is a safety that needs attention!!”
NHTSA complaint #11340128, filed 2020-07, 58,020 miles2019: “I have had this vehicle for a year and a half and I don't drive it much. The vehicle has 12,000 miles on it and I'm a very careful driver. I very rarely hit any potholes and have never been involved in an accident. After my tire kept losing air, I took it to the dealership to find out that not only is one of the rims cracked but the other three rims are bent. I have no idea how this could have happened, considering how careful I am and that no one else has ever driven my vehicle before. …”
NHTSA complaint #11394380, filed 2021-02, 12,000 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,965 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
659 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology