Home › Mercedes-Benz › CLA250 › 2018

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, most often about the electrical (24% of complaints). It is 4th of 14 CLA250 model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.

Complaints41
Recalls9
Crashes reported2
Fires reported1
Injuries reported2

Most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 problems

  1. Electrical

    10 complaints · 24%

    Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel.

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 3,274 miles
  2. Other or unspecified

    9 complaints · 22%

  3. Air bags

    8 complaints · 20%

    Parts named most often: frontal.

    The contact owned a 2018 Mercedes-Benz cla250c. While driving 45 MPH, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by a speeding vehicle. The contact's vehicle then crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered headaches, hip pain, whiplash, and vision issues. Medical attention was received.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 20,460 miles
    The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel made a clicking sound while turning, and the mileage button on the steering wheel was inoperable. An independent mechanic was made aware…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2023, at 65,000 miles
  4. Engine

    6 complaints · 15%

    The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic replaced the coolant reservoir cap. Several months later, the warning light re-appeared, and the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2023, at 118,000 miles
  5. Body and structure

    6 complaints · 15%

    Parts named most often: body.

    The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the car wash, water entered through the overhead center console. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the front roof panel needed to be replaced and resealed. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2025, at 61,050 miles
  6. Fuel system

    3 complaints · 7%

    Parts named most often: fuel injection system.

    The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic replaced the coolant reservoir cap. Several months later, the warning light re-appeared, and the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2023, at 118,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving an undisclosed speed, an abnormally strong fuel odor was detected. Additionally, the fuel odor was also detected when the defroster and heat were activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2023, at 55,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 recalls

  1. Body and structure: roof and pillars

    NHTSA 23V854000 · December 15, 2023 · 2,976 vehicles

    Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on august 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, march 22,2024, and august 2, 2024. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21v-197.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2014-2020 c-class, cla, gla, s-class, glc, and gle vehicles. Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.

  2. Infotainment and connectivity: auto crash notification

    NHTSA 22V365000 · May 20, 2022 · 242,722 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: The communication module software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on july 8, 2022, may 17, 2024, july 29, 2024, and september 27, 2024. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2017-2022 cla-class, gla-class, gle-class, gls-class, slc-class, a-class, amg gt-class, c-class, e-class, s-class, sl-class, glc-class, cls-class, glb-class, and g-class vehicles. Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's sim card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (ecall) system.

  3. Body and structure: roof and pillars

    NHTSA 21V197000 · March 19, 2021 · 15,096 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: Mercedes-benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on september 3, 2021 and october 26, 2021. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2017-2020 c300 coupe, c43 coupe amg, c43 amg, 2015-2020 c300, gla250, 2016-2018 c350e, cla45 coupe amg, 2015 c400, s65 amg, 2015-2019 c63 amg, 2016 c450, 2015-2016 gla45 amg, s600, 2016-2020 glc300, 2017-2019 glc43 amg, gle43 coupe amg, 2014-2019 cla250 coupe, 2014-2015 cla45 amg, 2018 glc63 amg, 2014-2017 s550, 2018-2020 s450, 2016-2019 gle63 coupe amg, 2016 gle450 coupe, 2014-2020 s63 amg, 2018-2019 s560, and 2019 glc350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.

  4. Infotainment and connectivity: auto crash notification

    NHTSA 21V072000 · February 12, 2021 · 67 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began march 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed july 9, 2021. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2021030005.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2017-2019 c300, e300, 2018-2020 cla250, 2020 cls450, amg e53, amg gt53, gle450, 2018 amg e63, amg gta, 2017-2020 gla250, glc300, 2019 glc350, amg glc43, 2017-2018 gle350, 2019 amg glc 43, glc350, gle400, 2017 gls450, s550, c300 cabrio, and 2018-2019 s560 vehicles. On june 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 gla250, glc300, 2018 s450, e400, and 2017 cla250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the emergency call (ecall) function.

  5. Infotainment and connectivity: auto crash notification

    NHTSA 21V058000 · February 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began march 12, 2021. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2021020025.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 cla-class, gla-class, gle-class, gls-class, slc-class, a-class, gt-class, c-class, e-class, s-class, cls-class, sl-class, b-class, glb-class, glc-class, and g-class vehicles. Please refer to the part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (ecall) in the event of a crash.

  6. Air bags: occupant classification

    NHTSA 19V892000 · December 16, 2019 · 129 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began july 31, 2020. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2020060012.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2015-2018 cla250 and cla250 4matic, and 2017-2018 cla45 amg vehicles. The occupant classification system (ocs) may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag.

  7. Lights: exterior lighting

    NHTSA 19V131000 · February 26, 2019 · 12 vehicles

    Risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of crash.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected light bulb sockets, free of charge. The recall began april 5, 2019. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2019030009.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2018 cla250 and cla250 4matic vehicles. The tail lights and the side marker lights may flicker or fail, affecting the vehicle's visibility.

  8. Air bags: occupant classification

    NHTSA 18V514000 · August 3, 2018 · 86 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began january 2, 2019. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2018120001.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2018 mercedes-benz cla250, cla250 4matic, and cla45 amg 4matic vehicles. The occupant classification system (ocs) may not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in the front seat.

  9. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 17V627000 · October 6, 2017 · 495,290 vehicles

    Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

    Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in december 6, 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

    Full defect summary

    Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 cla250, cla250 4matic, cla45 amg 4matic, 2015-2018 gla250, gla250 4matic, gla45 amg 4matic, c300 4matic, c63s amg, 2012-2014 c250, c350, c300 4matic, e550 4matic, 2013-2014 c63 amg, 2012-2015 c250 coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, 2013-2015 c350 4matic coupe, glk250 4matic bluetec, glk350, glk350 4matic, 2016-2017 c350e, c43 amg, 2015 c400 4matic, 2016-2018 c63 amg, glc300, glc300 4matic, 2017-2018 c300 coupe, c300 4matic coupe, c43 amg, c63 amg coupe, c63s amg coupe, c300 cabriolet, c300 4matic cabriolet, c43 amg cabriolet, c63 amg cabriolet, c63s amg cabriolet, glc300 4matic coupe, glc43 amg, glc43 amg coupe, 2014 e350 coupe, e350 4matic coupe, e350 cabriolet, e400 hybrid, 2015-2017 e400 coupe, e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabriolet, 2014-2017 e550 coupe, e550 cabriolet, b250e, 2014-2016 e250 bluetec, e63 amg 4matic wago

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (10 complaints); other or unspecified (9 complaints); air bags (8 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 have?
9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 15, 2023 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2018 a bad year for the Mercedes-Benz CLA250?
It is 4th of 14 CLA250 model years by number of complaints, with 41 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years

Mercedes-Benz CLA250 problems by year