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Mercedes-Benz CLA250Model year report

2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Problems

Compared with other Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2018

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
61filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
36,954miles, 34 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
30 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 37 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2015 CLA250 most often describe a check-engine light traced to the crankcase ventilation valve (code P052E), along with panoramic sunroof problems — panels detaching or glass shattering while driving. Other recurring themes are sudden stalling or power loss, air bag concerns, and a sound-system head unit that reboots itself. Most complaints in the sample were filed between roughly 10,000 and 60,000 miles.

  1. Body and structure

    Panoramic sunroof panel detaching or glass shattering

    Mentioned in 14 of 59 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe the front roof panel separating from the car at highway speed, sometimes with a loud noise and wind entering the cabin. Others report the panoramic glass shattering on its own on a clear day with nothing striking it, sending glass into the interior. Some owners say an adhesive bonding problem was diagnosed, and some had received a recall notice but were told the parts were not yet available. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 25,000 to 76,000 miles, often at highway speeds and in warm weather.

    Recall 23V854000Recall 21V197000

    What to check: Look over the roof panel seams and both stationary and sliding glass for lifting, gaps or prior repair, and ask whether recall 21V197000 or 23V854000 work was completed on this VIN.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving to work on a freeway I suddenly heard a blasting sound and next thing what I saw was there were glass pieces everywhere on my body and in the car. The panoramic moon roof of my car exploded out of no reason. I am very sure that nothing hit the roof or fall on the roof. The freeway was wide open and fortunately I was wearing sunglasses so my eyes didn't hurt by the explosion. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11090493, filed 2018-04, 27,000 miles

    “Sunroof is faulty in this model. Mercedes have recalled earlier models due to similar issue. The have recalled 750k cars today due to this issue and we are seeing similar problems in our 2015 c class. This issue is very serious and dangerous as the sunroof could potentially fly off myself and my wife were driving at normal speed on the highway when we suddenly heard the noise. When we stopped by to check the issue, it seemed like the sunroof was getting detached. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11297508, filed 2020-01, 46,000 miles
  2. Engine

    Sudden power loss, stalling or unintended deceleration

    Mentioned in 8 of 59 sampled complaints

    Owners describe the car losing power or cutting out while driving at highway or in-town speeds, sometimes with warning chimes and no clear cause. Some were told the throttle actuator had failed and needed replacement; others had the car diagnosed with no fault found. Several report the car restarting normally after being shut off and restarted, with the warnings clearing. Appears from about 12,000 miles into higher mileage, with several reports of the first event under 70,000 miles.

    Recall 17V114000

    What to check: Ask for a full scan of stored codes and any history of throttle or starter work; a test drive should include highway on-ramp acceleration where owners describe the cutout.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I noticed for the last several weeks my car sometimes hesitates when I start the engine. I hadn't looked into it and wasn't sure what it could be because I changed my battery less than 2 years ago. I hoped it was a fluke or do to the increasing cold weather. Also the car occasionally shudders and hesitates when I increase and decrease speed and one or two the radio shut off on it's own. This morning, the automatic windshield wipers came on even though it was not raining and my windshield was not wet. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11443577, filed 2021-12

    “In November 2024, while at a stop, the car shut off. A few weeks later, while driving the car over speed tables/humps, the car shifted from drive into neutral. No warning or error lights appeared on the dashboard. It just showed that the car was now in neutral. I was able to shift back into drive and continue. Fortunately, I was in a residential neighborhood, going about 10 miles per hour and had only one car behind me. This happened again in December, with the same scenario and on the same road, so I took the car to the dealer. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11643769, filed 2025-02
  3. Air bags

    Air bag warning light or air bags not deploying in a crash

    Mentioned in 8 of 59 sampled complaints

    Complaints report the air bag or supplemental restraint warning light staying on, and in some cases frontal air bags not deploying in a collision the owner described as severe. Several owners also describe long waits for recall parts, with no remedy date given for extended periods. Reported from about 10,000 miles upward, typically tied to a crash event or a recall notice rather than a fixed mileage.

    Recall 19V892000Recall 17V627000

    What to check: Confirm whether the occupant classification and frontal air bag recalls have been completed for the VIN, and check that the air bag light comes on at startup and goes out.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was involved in an accident 12/14/17, in which my car was totaled. I was driving on a three lane highway when someone hit me on my rear passenger side panel & then I hit a light pole head on. The cars were going at least 65mph or more. My airbags did not deploy from the initial impact (which blew out my rear passenger window on impact) or the car hitting the pole(the pole came completely down on impact). I have the investigation form & the police report number if needed.”

    NHTSA complaint #11063551, filed 2018-01, 20,000 miles

    “Recall issued in march 2019; mercedes says earliest it will replace is nov. 2020. Problem is exacerbated by heat and humidity; I live in houston, where heat & humidity both high. Failure can cause serious injury or death...why allowing mercedes to take nearly two years. Ntsha, do your job!”

    NHTSA complaint #11331716, filed 2020-06, 39,000 miles
  4. Engine

    Crankcase ventilation valve fault (check engine light

    • 7 complaints (11%)
    • typically at 9.9 yrs old
    • filed 2024–2025

    Owners report a check engine light that comes on, often intermittently, and a diagnostic scan returning P052E for the positive crankcase ventilation regulator valve. Several say the fault was confirmed by an independent shop or dealer and that repair estimates run into the thousands of dollars. Some describe rough running or stalling while idling, and several note that similar models received an extended emissions warranty while the CLA250 did not. Reported from roughly 40,000 to under 55,000 miles in the sample, with some owners reporting the light appearing and clearing repeatedly.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for the stored fault codes, not just whether the light is currently off — P052E can clear on its own. Ask whether the crankcase vent valve or any related emissions coverage has been applied to the car.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “UNKNOWN- The check engine light came on and was taken for a diagnostic test and it returned a P052E code. This indicates a fault in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve performance. This is a known issue with Mercedes Benz as there has been a recall for all the models except the CLA.”

    NHTSA complaint #11691411, filed 2025-10

    “There was a recent extended warranty issued by Mercedes-Benz to repair certain vehicle models free of charge that have a check engine light code P052E. Unfortunately my vehicle (2015 CLA 250) was not included in that recall, but the CLA250 models have the same issue and run the same risk of safety being compromised. Now myself, and many others, have to pay a hefty out of pocket price for a malfunction that is strictly the fault of the manufacturer. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11617709, filed 2024-10
  5. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission jerking or shifting into neutral

    • 6 complaints (10%)
    • median 74,489 mi at 7.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2016–2025

    Owners describe harsh or violent jerking on downshifts through the lower gears, and in some cases the car dropping into neutral on its own while driving or over speed humps. Some say the car would not come out of park and showed a message directing them to the dealer. Dealers reportedly could not reproduce the fault in some cases and did not complete a repair. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 95,000 miles, with a few earlier reports under 40,000 miles.

    What to check: Test drive slowly over bumps and through repeated stops to check for jerking or unexpected neutral engagement, and ask whether any transmission software update or service has been performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My collision assist keeps deactivating while driving. This causes my car to go into neutral. However there is not read of an issue with my vehicle per dealership”

    NHTSA complaint #11428442, filed 2021-08

    “The vehicle after starting would not go into gear from park. The message on the dash read service required do not shift gears visit dealer . The vehicle was unable to be put in gear to drive or neutral only park..”

    NHTSA complaint #11416514, filed 2021-05, 87,978 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection pull stored fault codes and confirm the roof-panel and air bag recalls were completed for the specific VIN before buying. Because many of these complaints were handled outside warranty, ask for service records showing how each was addressed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 59 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 61 consumer complaints for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. 34 of the complaints include a mileage, and 62% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 36,954 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 109 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 4 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (2), Fuel system (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Engine cooling (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “Gas cap door does not unlock/open intermittently. Unfortunately, it's happened as my low gas warning light is on. The first incident after trying countless times at the pump I left back to home and the next morning the door was open. Took it to the shop and mb svc tech could not duplicate the problem. This morning it happened again,............took me about 20 mins of trying to open the lid (somewhat like a push spring-loaded type function) and when I gave up and put car into reverse it opened while in motion. What happens when I need gas and it doesn't open?”

NHTSA complaint #10778514, filed 2015-09, 10,000 miles

Engine: “)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 miles

Air bags: “1) the truck opens for no reason whether the car is parked or driven without trunk feature being activated. This happens when driving down a 4 lane highway at night and day. 2) collision prevention of light displayed & won't go off. (see attached). Google indicates that the passenger air bag has an issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11376211, filed 2020-11, 94,225 miles

Body and structure: “On May 10th while driving on I-35 Texas highway, the panoramic sunroof of our 2015 Mercedes Benz CLA 250 shattered the whole panoramic sunroof, my daughter describes as some shot at the car. there was particles of glass on the driver side and passenger, very dangerous situation. She pulled over into a gas station and noticed there were pieces of glass shattered all over the interior some. …”

NHTSA complaint #11486576, filed 2022-09

Mileage when problems were reported

62% of the 34 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 24,000 and 62,000 miles.

6%0–1021%10–2535%25–5021%50–7515%75–1003%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (34 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 36,954 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20152017201913202120232025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
CLA250 FWD2.0L 4-cyl7-speed automatic263730$2,750
CLA250 4matic 4WD2.0L 4-cyl7-speed automatic243227$3,050
CLA250 4matic 4WD2.0L 4-cyl · flex-fuel7-speed automatic243227$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 109 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 109 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLA250

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20236—0—29—Too new
20217—5—29—Not enough data
20202015,93411—28—Rising
20192335,0006—29—Rising
20184127,0009—2934 · FewerRising
20172839,38110—2943 · TypicalStable
20166737,0008—3074 · MoreStable
20156136,9547—3050 · TypicalStable
201417916,7686—30100 · MoreFalling
2013970,0000———Not enough data
2012765,0000———Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz CLA250 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

Owners of the 2015 CLA250 most often describe a check-engine light traced to the crankcase ventilation valve (code P052E), along with panoramic sunroof problems — panels detaching or glass shattering while driving. The issues reported most often: Panoramic sunroof panel detaching or glass shattering; Sudden power loss, stalling or unintended deceleration; Air bag warning light or air bags not deploying in a crash.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 have?

NHTSA recorded 61 consumer complaints for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 17 complaints (28% of the total), followed by engine with 14.

Has the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 (CLA250, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 26 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 reported?

Among the 34 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 36,954 miles and the middle half falls between 24,000 and 62,000 miles; 62% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.