repaired · 2025 Q4
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 41 owner complaints about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-854 the manufacturer reports only 41% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 has problems
41 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
10Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
8Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
6Engine
6Structure
2Power train
2Fuel system, gasoline
2Seats
2Steering
1Visibility
66 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 1 |
| Air bags | 8 | 2 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| 6 other systems | 6 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Communication: auto crash notification
Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency…
repaired · 2023 Q3
Body: roof and pillars
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…
repaired · 2023 Q3
Communication
Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying…
Show 5 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q4
Communication: auto crash notification
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.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Sensor: occupant classification
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.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Exterior lighting
Risk. Reduced visibility increases the risk of crash.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Sensor: occupant classification
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.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Best & worst years
2018 vs. every other CLA 250 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the CLA 250 median. How we score
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Front Roof Panel DetachmentLed to recall 21V-197
In owners' words
What CLA 250 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
The panoramic sunroof opens and closes but will not shut completely in the back. When calling around for a quote mechanics were aware of the issue occurring with this specific make model and class of vehicle.
Own a 2018 CLA 250?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.