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Electrical systemPart report

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
24%of 41 total for the year
Median mileage
3,274miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, 24% of the 41 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,274 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving on the access road getting ready to merge onto the highway. I proceeded onto the highway and made it into the middle lane going around 60 MPH but shortly after my car threw itself into neutral and the dash lit up with three lines of words: the first line said 'service required', the second line said 'do not shift gears' and the last line said 'contact dealer'. I was able to pull my car over to the far left hand side of traffic. I turned off my car and turned it back on and it started with no issues. …”

NHTSA complaint #11143405, filed 2018-10, 3,274 miles

“I have sent the below email over 100 times to Mercedes To whom it may concern, I am writing regarding the purchase of a CLA250 4matic in December. I had a 120 point inspection done that did not show any issues with this car. As I was driving down a dark road around 1 am, my life was thrown in danger as the command shaft shut off and I could not see the dashboard or any lights in the vehicle. I was alone and on a dark road. After sitting for 15 minutes, I was able to get a light to come on and drove to my destination. …”

NHTSA complaint #11699248, filed 2025-11

“Vehicle cluster lights go black while driving...dangerous due to no fuel gauge..no speed gauge... no speedometor..no seat belt warning and no blinkers to exit highway safely....there is a danger of crashing as vehicles goes hesitant during black periods...this is an ongoing problem with Mercedes as documented for numerous years with numerous vehicle's and different models. The safety of my driving this vehicle has come down to your ethics.. Does Mercedes value their customer [I think not] or does the safety of Highway Patrol ignore this dangerous and catastrophe accident waiting to happen.? …”

NHTSA complaint #11573041, filed 2024-02

“My car randomly caught on fire, it was parked in my apartment garage for a week while I was out of town. I came back to use my car and my car remote wasn’t unlocking the car so i unlocked it manually. When I opened the car it wreaked of smoke, the windows were covered in soot, the visors were bubbled up, the passenger seat had a chunk missing. It was investigated by a car shop for My insurance and the car shop Said they felt like the fire started from the wires under the passenger seat. Of course it was deemed a total loss and now I’m out of car. I hadn’t even had the car a year.”

NHTSA complaint #11521136, filed 2023-05

“Back up camera stop working. Putting gear on reverse does not prompt the camera screen. Called Dealer if there is a recall. No recall for this issue and not covered. Read online article that 2018 CLA 250 are effected by this software error(issue). Want to get it fixed because this is a safety issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11475317, filed 2022-07

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023117%
2020525%
201929%
20181024%
2017725%
2016913%
2015610%
20144425%
2013111%
2012229%

Other parts of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

Other or unknown
10 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology