2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (5) · Air Bags (5) · Engine (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (9)
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2023-12-15 · campaign 23V854000 · 2,976 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Communication: Auto Crash Notification 2022-05-20 · campaign 22V365000 · 242,722 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2021-03-19 · campaign 21V197000 · 15,096 vehicles
Defect: 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 wi
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.
Communication: Auto Crash Notification 2021-02-12 · campaign 21V072000 · 67 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Communication: Auto Crash Notification 2021-02-05 · campaign 21V058000 · 1,292,258 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2019-12-16 · campaign 19V892000 · 129 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Exterior Lighting 2019-02-26 · campaign 19V131000 · 12 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2018-08-03 · campaign 18V514000 · 86 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Air Bags:frontal 2017-10-06 · campaign 17V627000 · 495,290 vehicles
Defect: 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 Cou
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.
Service bulletins (106)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-08-29 · LI 27.10-P-080851 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint intermittent shift feel or thud/clunk noise perceived, such as a brief jerk or transmission reaction during certain driving situations. may be most noticeable when transitioning from a coasting condition to accelerator pedal application. may occur in all drive modes. cause dual‑clutch tran
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-08-15 · CL - Tank Leak Detection · Warranty Program/Extension
dear mercedes-benz owner: in our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of mercedes-benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, mercedes-benz usa is extending the warranty coverage for the diagnostic module for tank leakage detection ("dmtl") on your vehicle from the
Electrical System 2026-08-12 · LI54.65-P-080132 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint 1. general diagnostic tips 2. one or more park sensor activations 3. red ring around vehicle 4. "active parking and parking assist inoperative" on instrument cluster 5. cameras 6. other park topics. cause various root causes remedy see attached diagnostic guide.
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
Showing the 6 most recent of 106 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-13 · Unknown Or Other“roof panel flew off on highway, not safe for anyone if this happens can cause accidents. it is available for inspection. this incident has happened to other cars of my same make and model and has been confirmed.…”
2026-08-26 · Unknown Or Other“panel flew off on the highway it was terrifying. …”
2026-08-08 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“after a hard impact car continued to go then when came to a stop the air bags deployed which resulted in injuring my left arm …”
2026-05-16 · Structure:body“water coming into the car through the floor…”
2026-05-16 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel“the instrument cluster gauges start giving in accurate information and the whole dash start turning on and off. i found hundreds of people posting complaints about this issue with the 2018 mercedes cla 250 but mercedes refuses to acknowledge this issue and put out a recall probably out of greed and to not loose money. this is a dangerous issue. mer…”
2026-03-08 · Engine“corrosion of the fuel system (on a flex fuel rated vehicle that had used e85 blend regularly) causing sudden loss of power, misfires, lack of acceleration the vehicle experience sudden loss of power, multiple misfires, and potential damage to the engine. had the vehicle been on the highway or attempting to merge with traffic this could have resul…”
2025-11-13 · Electrical System“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 …”
2025-11-05 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2018 mercedes-benz cla250. the contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel to the left, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. additionally, the electrical features on the steering wheel failed to operate as needed. the contact stated that several days later, the same failure returned w…”
2025-09-24 · Air Bags“my clock spring is no longer working, it made all the buttons on my steering wheel stop working and i am afraid the airbag will deploy at random since there was a recall on cla models 2015-2018. i own a mercedes cla 250 2018 but it is not showing a recall on my specific vehicle. not only that but they no longer sell just the clock spring for my car…”
2025-08-20 · Engine“p052e check engine light on. same part is defective on other models that use the same parts. my car is not included in the recall. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.