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2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
68
Latest Mar 10, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
38%
of 177 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 68 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 68, in the owner's own words

AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Mar 10, 2026
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she discovered that the driver's side window was shattered. The sunroof was brown, and there was a hole in the dashboard showing the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught fire; however, the fire extinguished on its own. There were no prior warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or police report filed. The fire department responded and was present at the scene, and disconnected several wires. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11723215
Incident
Mar 10, 2026
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2025

I own a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 with the 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder M270 engine. The check-engine light came on and an OBD-II scan showed fault code P052E / P052E71, which indicates that the valve for crankcase ventilation (PCV / crankcase ventilation valve integrated into the valve cover) has a malfunction and the actuator is blocked. The vehicle is available for inspection and, if the repair is performed, the failed part can be retained. This appears to be the same failure that has been documented by other owners and by Mercedes-Benz on the related M274 engine used in other models (same 2.0L turbo engine family and PCV / crankcase ventilation design, but in a longitudinal layout). For those vehicles, Mercedes has issued technical service bulletins and extended emissions-related warranty coverage for the crankcase ventilation / PCV system, but vehicles like my CLA with the M270 engine are excluded even though they show the same DTCs and failure. In my case, the problem has so far shown up as a check-engine light and stored fault codes, without obvious drivability symptoms yet. However, a blocked or failed crankcase ventilation valve can increase crankcase pressure, cause oil leaks, fuel vapor or oil smells, and potential turbocharger or drivability issues, which may create a safety risk if the problem worsens (loss of power or stalling). The problem has been reproduced multiple times with different OBD-II scan tools. I contacted Mercedes-Benz and was told there are no recalls or warranty coverage for this issue on my vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11699978
Incident
Nov 15, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 29, 2025

P052e common crankcase ventilator issue mercedez extended warranty for later models for this same consistent issue in all the cars excluding 2014 starting at 2015 vehicles making us pay over $2000 for a fix supposed to be free being that it's all mercedes even the year before Should be a recall along with the hundreds of thousands of people with same issue online same car.

NHTSA ID
11696266
Incident
Aug 1, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 28, 2025

Check engine code p052e - PCV valve replacement (Crankcase Ventilation valve) - common issue on car and known recall for other models

NHTSA ID
11639110
Incident
Jan 26, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that when the vehicle stalled, an audible chime sounded, and the air bag warning light illuminated, and a RED triangle symbol flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the instrument cluster went blank, and the vehicle lost power steering assist. Additionally, the brake pedal was very difficult to depress. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and the vehicle had not taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,850.

NHTSA ID
11616572
Incident
Sep 21, 2024
Mileage
76,850 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 21, 2024

Apparently the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) which is built into the gas pedal on this 2014 MB CLA250 only lasts so long before it becomes defective under highway conditions and causes the vehicle to go into LIMP MODE. When full acceleration is necessary, the unit will work for perhaps a few months or less, and then continue to fail worse and more frequently with each attempt at full acceleration. At highway speeds, this is an essential feature in a 4-cylinder vehicle such as this one and without the necessary acceleration capability, can expose the driver to serious risk of collision with other on-coming vehicles traveling at highway speeds. This "Limp Mode" features is extremely dangerous and hazardous to not only the driver of their vehicle, but to other drivers around them since they are left in a devastating position of being unable to accelerate normally and as necessary and as one would expect in any vehicle, let alone a Mercedes Benz. Never before have I driven a car that falls out of full acceleration mode only to subject the driver to serious collision circumstances. Whoever the imbecile is at MB engineering who incorporated this Limp Mode Feature should be fired!!! To make matters worse, this cheaply built TPS, which is the cause of the problem in my vehicle specifically, was only warrantied twice by the dealer and now they will not replace it under warranty which is a two-year period. I've only had the part 5 months before it failed again due to poor manufacturing and I had to pay all over again for a new one despite my warranty validity. There have been many other MB owners who have the same complaint for Limp Mode, which tells me that it's definitely not me, but rather the poorly built or engineered vehicle, as a matter of fact. MB has denied having these complaints to me, which of course, is a lie. That's misleading and deceptive business practices in my State and MB needs to live up to its warranty provisions and respect its customers.

NHTSA ID
11578613
Incident
Mar 1, 2024
Engine
Filed Dec 19, 2023

Common issue with this make and model and many others Check engine code P052E

NHTSA ID
11560875
Incident
Dec 6, 2023
Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2023

My engine light is and as per mechanics I have seen it is a very common problem with mercedes benz around crankcase ventilation actuator. As per mechanics its faulty part and mercedes have changed it for new models but there is no recall on the older models. Cost to repair the part is around $3500. Issue with the part if causing environment problem as mileages is reduced and more fuel burning. This eventually impacts the engine and car.

NHTSA ID
11552114
Incident
Jul 1, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 11, 2023

As I was driving, the car is on D but it slips into N and I cannot shift to any other gear accept P. This happens randomly and happened three times. I noticed the GLA250 also had this issue. I have to turn off my engine and restart my car to get it running again normally.

NHTSA ID
11521574
Incident
May 11, 2023
Engine
Filed Aug 31, 2021

catalytic converter Got clogged up and car would loose power and not get enough air into engine and catalytic converter right next to the turbo under the heat shield would turn glowing red causing turbo to leak it’s fluids

NHTSA ID
11431296
Incident
Jul 20, 2021
Engine
Filed Aug 9, 2021

Without warning , the vehicle started to shake uncontrollably and was unable to reach a certain speed without the tremors. Very unsafe to drive

NHTSA ID
11428288
Incident
Jul 14, 2021
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 25, 2020

RIGHT AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ERROR AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR CRANK CASE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES EXPLAINED TO ME AND ALSO TOLD ME TO CHECK BACK FOR RECALLS BECAUSE THEIR VNI SYSTEM WILL PROBABLY SHOW ONE

NHTSA ID
11384911
Incident
Sep 1, 2020
Mileage
65,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 23, 2020

WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, A CAR PULLED NEAR MY CAR. AT THAT TIME, THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. MY WIFE HEARD THE PRE-COLLISION WARNING. THE THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTOFF OR STALLED. TURNED OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY BY TURNING THE KEY. THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON. LUCKY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11384767
Incident
Dec 23, 2020
Mileage
59,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 10, 2020

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED I CAN HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING AROUND THE WATER PUMP THE CAR HAS ONLY 39,000 MILES

NHTSA ID
11373907
Incident
Sep 15, 2020
Engine
Filed Nov 9, 2020

I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON FOR A CRANKCASE VENT VALVE DEFECT ISSUE, THE PART IS $750 AND COSTS $1,950 WITH INSTALL. UPON IDENTIFYING THE ISSUE, I SPOKE TO THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AT MERCEDES AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACING SO MANY OF THESE PARTS THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE C CLASS AND CLA CLASS. MOST ARE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY SO IT HAS NOT RECEIVED A LOT OF FOCUS. MERCEDES IS CHARGING EXORBITANT RATES TO FIX AN ERROR THAT THEY KNOWINGLY IGNORE TO BE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11373754
Incident
Nov 6, 2020
Mileage
40,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2020

WONT PASS EMMISIONS FOR CRANK SHAFT BREATHER THAT PREVENTS FROM PASSING STATE INSPECTION EMMISIONS FAULT CODE P-052E71

NHTSA ID
11364326
Incident
Sep 23, 2020
Mileage
61,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 20, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON THIS DAY, I WAS NEARLY KILLED IN MY 2014 MERCEDES CLA250 4MATIC THAT STALLED ON A HIGHWAY IN NEW YORK CITY. THE CAR HAS ROUGHLY 40,300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS DRIVING ON THE BROOKLYN QUEENS EXPRESSWAY AT 4:00AM. THE CAR'S MOTOR STALLED AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP IN THE LEFT LANE. THERE WERE NO SHOULDERS. I ATTEMPTED TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED BUT ALL I GOT WERE FLASHING DASHBOARD LIGHTS. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT UP A WARNING TRIANGLE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR, BUT THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING TOO QUICKLY FOR ME TO SAFELY DO THAT. I SAT IN MY CAR AND BUCKLED MY SEAT BELT. I CALLED 911 TO ANNOUNCE MY EMERGENCY AND I CONTACTED MY CAR'S INSURER FOR A TOW TRUCK (THEY PROVIDE SUCH A SERVICE). WITHIN MOMENTS, A TOYOTA WITH TLC PLATES SMASHED INTO MY CAR SENDING ME INTO THE BARRIER. THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS BROKEN AND DEFORMED. THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS OKAY, BUT THE APPEARANCE OF THE REAR IS SUCH THAT I BELIEVE I LOST MY CAR. I READ ONLINE THAT THIS MODEL HAS A STALLING PROBLEM AND THAT OTHERS HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS. I WAS ONE OF THE UNLUCKY OWNERS AND I WILL BE SUING. THIS CAR'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I AM INJURED AND BEING TREATED IN A HOSPITAL.

NHTSA ID
11340450
Incident
Jul 20, 2020
Mileage
40,300 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ CLA250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF ENCINO DEALER, (16721 VENTURA BLVD, ENCINO, CA 91436) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, AND THE CONDUCTOR COIL WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER HOWEVER, TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE ECHO OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH THE ECHO ON AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALL THE SAME DEALER AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ID
11316103
Incident
Feb 12, 2020
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2020

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, IT WILL START AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE.

NHTSA ID
11311395
Incident
Dec 2, 2019
Mileage
65,569 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ CLA250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THE AUXILIARY BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF ALEXANDRIA: 200 S PICKETT ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22304) AND REPAIRED THE CONDUCTOR PLATE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND SHUT OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ID
11306340
Incident
Jan 19, 2020
Mileage
14,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 5, 2019

THE COOLANT PUMP FAILS AFTER ABOUT ONLY 48000 MILES, WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. I DID MY RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS WHO OWN A MERCEDES CLA 250 HAD THE SAME COOLANT PUMP PROBLEM AT LOW MILEAGES (LESS THAN 50000 MILES). THUS, I DOUBT THAT THIS COOLANT PUMP FAILURE IS A DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR. MY CAR IS STILL WITH THE DEALERSHIP SO I DO NOT HAVE A REPORT/RECEIPT FROM THEM STATING THE PROBLEM YET.

NHTSA ID
11229577
Incident
Jun 26, 2019
Mileage
48,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Jun 27, 2019

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND THE STEERING BECAME STIFF. THE PRE SAFE LIGHT CAME ON THE SCREEN ALONG WITH "PARKING BRAKE" "TRACTION CONTROL" ALTHOUGH THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11223005
Incident
Jun 25, 2019
Mileage
79,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 19, 2018

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN LEFT LANE DOING AROUND 60MPH AND CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE TAKING AWAY ALL THROTTLE CONTROL. I WAS FORCED TO COAST ACROSS LANES NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION AND MANAGED TO PULL INTO A BUS STOP. I LEARNED THAT LIMP MODE IS TO PROTECT THE CAR FROM FURTHER DAMAGE BUT THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER SHOULD COME FIRST. THERE SHOULD AT LEAST BE SOME KIND OF ADVANCED WARNING TO PULL VEHICLE OVER BEFORE IT SHUTS DOWN. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND ENDANGERS THE LIFE OF THE DRIVER AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
11112285
Incident
Jul 7, 2018
Mileage
22,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2018

AFTER HAVING 40K SERVICE ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO ON MY 2014 CLA250, 'SERVICE REQUIRED: DO NOT SHIFT GEARS, VISIT DEALER' LIGHT CAME ON FROM A PARKED POSITION. THANK GOODNESS I WAS PARKED! I'VE READ SEVERAL POSTS WHERE THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS OCCUPANCY... A CRITICAL FAILURE! ANYWAY, THE ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. IT HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO EVEN START THE CAR AND IS AT THE SHOP NOW. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 42K MILES. THIS REALLY IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW AFTER READING IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING TOO! I HAVEN'T READ ANYWHERE WHAT THE ACTUAL ISSUE IS, ONLY THAT AFTER SONE PEOPLE GET IT BACK AFTER A SOFTWARE UPDATE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. MB REALLY NEEDS TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS CRITICAL ERROR AND FIX IT SINCE IT IS SO DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ID
11074719
Incident
Feb 23, 2018
Mileage
42,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 28, 2017

PURCHASED MY NEW CLA250 IN SEPTEMBER 2014. IN AUGUST OF 2015 MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON THE NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY!. THE PRE-SAFE WARNING WAS PRESENT ON MY DASHBOARD. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CATASTROPHE KILLING ME AND OTHERS. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE TO MY DESTINATION MAKING SURE I STAYED IN THE RIGHT LANE ON THE PARKWAY. IT FAILED 2 MORE TIMES WHILE NOT ON THE HIGHWAY BUT STILL A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TOOK THE CAR (WHICH HAD 16,000 MILES) TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHEN I RETURNED AND THEY PERFORMED A SERIES OF TESTS. THEY FOUND A PRODUCT TECHNICAL SUPPORT SYSTEM UPDATE WHICH INVOLVED UPDATING THE SOFTWARE. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN UNTIL NOV. 2017. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A BUS IN PHILADELPHIA WHEN MY CAR DECIDED TO STOP ACCELERATING. FINALLY, DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT DOING 70MPH THE CAR AGAIN DISPLAYED THE PRE-SAFE WARNING AND RAPIDLY SLOWED DOWN ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH ON I-78 IN NJ. TOOK THE CAR TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP NEAR ME AND THEY SAID SINCE THE CAR IS 2,000 MILES BEYOND THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY IT'S NOT COVERED. THEY ARE REPLACING A SERIES OF PARTS THAT WILL COST ME OVER $4,000 TO REPAIR! THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THIS WILL EVEN FIX THE PROBLEM. IS MERCEDES WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS CAR HAS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM? I HAVE TO WONDER IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY CRASHES INVOLVING THIS CAR AND NOBODY SURVIVED TO DETAIL WHAT WAS HAPPENING! THE 2014 CLA IS NOT SAFE AND MERCEDES DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED.

NHTSA ID
11057132
Incident
Aug 21, 2015
Mileage
16,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .