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2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Electrical Problems

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

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
8
Latest Jun 8, 2025
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.
13%
of 64 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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 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 electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jun 8, 2025

My 2016 CLA 250 having multiple electrical and driving issues that are not recalled. I’ve researched online and found most of these issues are common. 1. Dashboard screen and radio console lights turn off completely. USB connection triggers electrical symptoms. Front and Back seat window control (driver) triggers electrical symptoms and sometimes corrects the problems. Trunk opens by itself while parked and/or stopped at red lights. The instrument cluster has times multiple warning lights turn on and stay on. At times the fuel needle drops completely down as if I have no fuel in the car. The instrument cluster lights stay on after I have turned the car off and locked it as if the system is confused. I have more issues but those are a few to name. I also have video and pictures to prove these things happen randomly then the vehicle can go back to operating normally. I’ve taken it to service and all they have done is reset the warnings.

NHTSA ID
11665634
Incident
Jun 8, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 12, 2025

Check engine light with error code P052E. From my research, this is a very common issue with this engine and one that either has been recalled or is planning to be recalled. According to some online forums for Mercedes Benz, Mercedes is being sued over this problem and has issued an extended warranty on certain models because of how common this problem has become. The list of models needs to be expanded to include other models experiencing the same problem.

NHTSA ID
11642317
Incident
Feb 10, 2025
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 27, 2025

Vehicle Performance Issues - Detailed Timeline [XXX] •First issue occurred: the car wouldn’t start at a store. Engine turned over, failed to start. •After sitting overnight, it would start but stall after 10 minutes of driving. •Parked the car and began using alternative transportation. •Diagnostic tests by three mechanics revealed the following codes: oP0087: Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low. oP052E: Crankcase Ventilation (PCV). [XXX] •Picked up the car from Midland Mercedes after repairs. Paid $3,069.16 for crankcase ventilation service. •Mercedes Customer Summary Report had no reference to any fuel-related issues or the P0087 code. •Drove 10 minutes to a gas station; the car wouldn’t start, repeating the same issue of why I brought it in to have repaired. •Returned to the shop; Said a New Code came up and replaced the fuel pump: oCost of part: $670.47 (no labor charged). I refused to pay $2200! [XXX] •Finally after 3 months! I got my car and drove back to San Angelo on half a tank, avoiding stops to prevent starting problems. I now had PTSD! •Filled the tank upon arrival; no issues that day. [XXX] •On the way to work, turned on the heat and noticed: oA strong gas odor inside the car. oThe radio volume control wasn’t working, and the ECO mode indicator wasn’t functioning as usual. [XXX] Filled the gas tank halfway to reduce the gas smell. •1st start up cycle immediately after getting gas, no issue. •2nd start up cycle , the dashboard lights started flickering and all indicator lights came on. Traction control warning along with message to check the owner’s manual. Can not accelerate. Check engine light stays on. •3rd cycle start up, all lights turned off except the check engine light. •4th cycle start up, no check engine light This occurs every time I get fuel. I only get $10 at a time. Noticing the pattern, I coded the car. A new code came up. •P2187: System Too Lean at Idle (Bank 1). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11638804
Incident
Aug 20, 2024
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 2, 2024

When we are driving the transmission slip intro neutral ramdomly message appear « do not shift in gear, visit dealer » we need to stop the car on the high way put it in park and after in drive . Its happen really often and my wife d’ont want to drive it any more because its to dangerous with kid, we need a solution

NHTSA ID
11606153
Incident
Mar 12, 2024
Electrical
Filed Feb 27, 2023

Inside the car smells gas either idle or running. Dashboard lights flactuate and sometimes the gas gage doesn't show how much fuel you have left. Command system shuts off after 3 mins even the engine is on. But mainly, the gas smell in the car. Have trouble breathing at times and I don't haveany underlying condition.

NHTSA ID
11509389
Incident
Jan 15, 2023
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 28, 2021

WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY ON 1/22/2021 THE CAR'S DASHBOARD DISPLAYED "COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS INOPERATIVE " AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, IT PREVENTED ME FROM ACCELERATING THE CAR BY PUSHING ONTO THE GAS PEDAL. THIS CAUSED THE CAR FROM BEHIND TO ALMOST REAR ENDED BY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND EXIT THE FREEWAY. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR BUT IT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE EVEN AFTER VARIOUS PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11390562
Incident
Jan 22, 2021
Mileage
62,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA250. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE POLICE ASSISTED WITH MOVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF LOS ANGELES (801 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90015, (213) 425-3100) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT A NEW STARTER WAS NEEDED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,100.

NHTSA ID
11255117
Incident
Sep 10, 2019
Mileage
21,100 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jul 10, 2019

MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING TWO TIMES AND ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CAME OUT TWO DIFFERENT OCCASION. I KEPT UP WITH MAINTENACE ON THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO PEP BOYS UP THE ST FROM MY HOUSE INSTEAD OF MERCEDES FOR OIL CHANGES. OUT OF NO WHERE MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOWED MY CAR TWO MERCEDES TO FIX. THEY SAID MY ENGINE BLEW N THE TURBO . THEY WON'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE I GAVE THEM ALL MY MAINTENCE RECEIPTS FROM PEP BOYS . THIS WAS A DEMO CAR I ORIGINALLY LEASED AND HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS WITH 9 MONTHS LEFT ON THE CAR. THE RECALLS ON THE VIN WERE NOT FIXED AND MERCEDES IS TRYING TO SEND ME AWAY WITH A UNFIXED CAR. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ID
11230845
Incident
Jun 30, 2019
Mileage
40,000 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 .