2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Suspension (1) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
🧭 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 (5)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:lock 2026-07-24 · campaign 26V481000 · 310,667 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.
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.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2021-05-14 · campaign 21V354000 · 343,191 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comp
Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.
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.
Child Seat:vehicle Latch Anchor 2021-01-29 · campaign 21V034000 · 231 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 A220, A35 AMG, and CLA250 vehicles. The child seat anchoring system (ISOFIX) may be missing the right-side anchoring bar from the ISOFIX bracket on the right-rear seat.
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.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right-rear ISOFIX bracket and replace the bracket, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020004.
Service bulletins (244)
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.
Steering 2026-09-26 · LI46.10-P-080896 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint slight creaking noises when steering. cause noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. remedy remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. if necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.
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
Electrical System 2026-09-15 · LI82.60-P-080383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. the ui continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. cause when a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the head unit application to fail to overwrite the pr
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
Electrical System 2026-08-29 · LI27.19-P-080869 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint temporary no start condition with check engine light and multiple warning messages. when performing a quick test, the following fault code is stored in y3/14 ‑ transmission control for 8‑speed dual‑clutch transmission (dkg): p24f100 the wake‑up line of the control unit has a short circuit
Showing the 6 most recent of 244 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System“vehicle would unexpectedly stall out while driving at slow speeds or stopped. car was brought to an independent car shop and it was determined the fuel pump had started to come apart sending debris into the fuel tank/system causing low fuel pressure. the fuel tank with fuel level sensor and suction jet pump was replaced along with, fuel injectors a…”
2026-08-26 · Unknown Or Other“my 2021 cla 250 that i reached purchased as a used vehicle in the last three months and now is saying sos unresponsive so in my vehicle where to get a motor vehicle accident, it will not be alerting any emergency personnel authorities and i think it’s really sad the whole fact that mercedes-benz has just ran you know a bunch of these vehicles throu…”
2025-03-19 · Exterior Lighting“the seal around my driver side rear light is not sealed correctly there is water precipitation in my lamp…”
2024-10-01 · Unknown Or Other“on friday, september 27, around 12 pm, while driving on i880s near union city, california, something horrific happened. the sunroof of my 2021 mercedes cla 250, with just 49,000 miles, suddenly exploded without any warning. the sound was so loud and violent, it felt like a gunshot. i was immediately overwhelmed with fear and panic as i struggled to…”
2024-06-17 · Vehicle Speed Control“our car has lost power to accelerate on 4 occasions on the highway. the first instance was in october of 2023, the second instance was in november of 2024 (and was brought immediately to the dealership and they said the fix wasn't available yet), the third instance was in march of 2024 and the most recent incident occurred in june of 2024. for exa…”
2024-03-05 · Vehicle Speed Control“date of occurrence: 03/05/2024 subject: formal claim regarding traffic safety issue with 2021 mercedes benz cla 250 i am writing to formally submit a claim regarding a recent traffic safety incident involving my 2021 mercedes benz cla 250. while driving to my destination, i encountered a sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate. to ensur…”
2022-03-20 · Suspension · 💥 crash“on monday 02/14/2022, after 2-3 minutes driving towards work, at about 25-30mph speed, the front right ball joint broke on the vehicle putting me in danger of losing my life. due to this ball joint failure, the right front wheel disassembled from the vehicle and it slid-crashed on the car parked on the right side of the street. if it would happen…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.