Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 problems by model year

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

NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 21 recalls on file for the Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 (2019–2023). The 2019 CLS 450 has the most serious complaints, most often about wheels & tires.

Complaints: 23
Recalls: 21
Model years: 5
Worst year: 2019

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 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 CLS 450 years to buy

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

2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 — 11 complaints; top problem: Wheels & Tires

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2021 (1 complaints).

Every Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 model year

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Recalls	Top problem
2023 CLS 450	3	0	0	3	Wheels & Tires
2022 CLS 450	3	1	2	6	Engine
2021 CLS 450	1	0	0	8	Wheels & Tires
2020 CLS 450	5	0	0	5	Electrical System
2019 CLS 450	11	0	0	12	Wheels & Tires

Most common Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 problem areas (all years)

Wheels & Tires
12 complaints
Electrical System
8 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Engine
2 complaints
Airbags
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Transmission & Drivetrain
1 complaints
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
1 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 received by NHTSA each month.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 recalls

Recall 24V100000Feb 9, 202412,191 vehiclesModel years 2021–2023
Risk: An overheated ground cable increases the risk of a fire.
Recall 23V574000Aug 11, 2023880 vehiclesModel years 2023
Risk: Failure to alert occupants of an approaching vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Recall 23V445000Jun 26, 2023143,551 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V733000Sep 30, 202219,968 vehiclesModel years 2019–2022
Risk: The inability to operate safety features (eCall system, hazard lights, electric seats, or automatic door locks) can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 22V365000May 20, 2022242,722 vehiclesModel years 2019–2022
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 2019–2020
Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V189000Mar 25, 20228,396 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Recall 21V527000Jul 12, 2021542 vehiclesModel years 2021
Risk: Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 21V483000Jun 25, 20214,917 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 21V354000May 14, 2021343,191 vehiclesModel years 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 21V230000Apr 1, 20218,634 vehiclesModel years 2021
Risk: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Recall 21V072000Feb 12, 202167 vehiclesModel years 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 2019–2021
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 20V449000Jul 31, 202056 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Recall 19V788000Nov 1, 201929,720 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: The electric PRE-SAFE®-function and the seat belt pretensioners may not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 19V605000Aug 16, 20193,264 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: A malfunctioning engine coolant pump can increase coolant temperatures, possibly leading to an engine stall. Deactivation of the 48V on-board electrical system can cause the vehicle to not restart after using the ECO start/stop function or "Glide" mode. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V540000Jul 19, 20191,957 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: An impaired Active Brake Assist may not automatically apply partial or full braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 18V911000Dec 19, 2018104 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: If the headlights are not properly adjusted, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 18V850000Nov 29, 20186,373 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
Recall 18V761000Oct 29, 2018119 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 18V515000Aug 3, 2018345 vehiclesModel years 2019
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.

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