Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 problems by model year

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 94 owner complaints and 19 recalls on file for the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 (2018–2025). The 2018 CLA 250 has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints: 94
Recalls: 19
Model years: 8
Worst year: 2018

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 — 37 complaints, 1 crash, 1 fire; top problem: Electrical System
2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 — 20 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 — 20 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Electrical System

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2022 (1 complaints).

Every Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 model year

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Recalls	Top problem
2025 CLA 250	1	0	0	0	0	Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2024 CLA 250	2	0	0	0	0	Body & Structure
2023 CLA 250	6	2	0	2	0	Airbags
2022 CLA 250	1	0	0	1	0	Body & Structure
2021 CLA 250	7	1	0	1	5	Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2020 CLA 250	20	1	0	2	11	Electrical System
2019 CLA 250	20	2	0	2	6	Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2018 CLA 250	37	1	1	1	9	Electrical System

Most common Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 problem areas (all years)

Electrical System
18 complaints
Engine
16 complaints
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
12 complaints
Airbags
10 complaints
Body & Structure
9 complaints
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
9 complaints
Wheels & Tires
6 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Visibility & Wipers
4 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 received by NHTSA each month.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 recalls

Recall 26V481000Jul 24, 2026310,667 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Recall 23V854000Dec 15, 20232,976 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V732000Nov 1, 202342,742 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V365000May 20, 2022242,722 vehiclesModel years 2018–2021
Risk: 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.
Recall 22V232000Apr 8, 2022126,443 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V989000Dec 17, 20211 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: A sudden loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V961000Dec 13, 2021139 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Recall 21V354000May 14, 2021343,191 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021
Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Recall 21V197000Mar 19, 202115,096 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019
Risk: 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.
Recall 21V072000Feb 12, 202167 vehiclesModel years 2018–2020
Risk: 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.
Recall 21V058000Feb 5, 20211,292,258 vehiclesModel years 2018–2021
Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Recall 21V034000Jan 29, 2021231 vehiclesModel years 2021
Risk: If the anchoring bar is missing from the ISOFIX bracket, the child restraint cannot be properly secured to the seat using the ISOFIX securing system, increasing the risk of injury for a child in that seat.
Recall 20V089000Feb 14, 20202,101 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: If the interior switches are not illuminated, they may be more difficult to find and operate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V892000Dec 16, 2019129 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: 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.
Recall 19V685000Sep 27, 20192,222 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's front airbag, the airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 19V219000Mar 20, 20195 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the right side doors cannot be opened from the outside, it could increase the risk of injury.
Recall 19V131000Feb 26, 201912 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of crash.
Recall 18V514000Aug 3, 201886 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: 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.
Recall 17V627000Oct 6, 2017495,290 vehiclesModel years 2018
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology