RoadVitals

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
19
Latest Apr 10, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
3
Reports on file since Feb 29, 2020

What this page shows

Our database holds 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–19 of 19

Driver assistance
Filed Apr 10, 2026

The back-up camara is stuck open on the trunk for more than 30 days now. When I put it in reverse the camara will show for about 5 seconds and then go back to the home screen. I brought this to the attention of my advisor and he said that its a known issue. If Mercedes knows this is an issue with the CLA250, they should offer a replacement instead of charging to fix a faulty component.

NHTSA ID
11730462
Incident
Mar 10, 2026
Visibility
Filed Feb 25, 2026

Front Windshield Wipers run randonly when they are not turned on manually. I would be driving and for no reason (no rain or water on the windshield) the wipers would come on and would not turn off when I used the switch. There was no warning message on my auto dash. It was startling and caused confusion when they came on unexpectantly. My mechanic shared a XENTRY document regarding this problem on 4/25/23. Copies of the XENTRY report and my repair receipt are attached.

NHTSA ID
11720510
Incident
Jun 2, 2025
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 12, 2025

My back up camera badge located at the trunk has been permanently stuck open for a few months now when I put car in reverse the screen shows my camera for 2 seconds then disappears and goes back to my Home Screen I brought to the dealer and they told me I need a new battery I replaced my battery paid almost 400 dollars and it still doesn’t work .

NHTSA ID
11686937
Incident
Apr 9, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed May 12, 2025

when reversing, the central display shows backup camera for a couple seconds before turning to a black screen and a message saying the rearview camera is not working properly

NHTSA ID
11660388
Incident
Dec 1, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jan 3, 2025

Rear camera works, but the hatch will not close making it difficult to open and close the trunk. I have seen many vehicles in this Family Class with the rear camera in the same condition which leads me to believe that it's not a maintenance issue.

NHTSA ID
11633985
Incident
Apr 19, 2024
Engine
Filed Sep 16, 2024

Engine was failed prior to purchase, it is available for inspection. Engine jerks while driving. Dealer changed engine and problem got worse. Vehicle was inspected at Mercedes Benz Manhattan. Engine light keeps coming on and engine oil raises above normal level and warning light comes on and dealer says its normal.

NHTSA ID
11614748
Incident
May 22, 2024
Fuel system
Filed May 10, 2024

During the manufacturing process, particles was trapped between the fuel and rail injectors, which is causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, increase the risk of a fire.

NHTSA ID
11588068
Incident
Jan 11, 2024
BrakesElectrical
Filed Feb 17, 2024

Nov 01,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number: 2024010010 NHTSA Recall Number: 23V732 Recall Status: Recall Incomplete The manufacturer has failed and is unable to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle in a timely manner.

NHTSA ID
11572508
Incident
Nov 1, 2023
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V732000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11568628
Incident
Jan 29, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 25, 2023

My vehicle's cylinder head needs to be replaced due to a leak in the valve seat. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were at risk because the engine of the vehicle could of failed at anytime while the vehicle was in use. This could have lead to an accident. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer and the dealer is recommending I replace the cylinder head. The dealer's service center had a certified technician perform a diagnostic test on my vehicle. There were no warnings, messages, or symptoms prior to the check engine light coming on. I brought my vehicle in to the dealership for a diagnosis of the check engine light as soon as the check engine light appeared. That is when I was informed that I needed to replace my cylinder head.

NHTSA ID
11534307
Incident
Jul 20, 2023
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 28, 2023

On 4/27 I was driving home on the freeway and there were little to no cars around me. There were no large trucks or debris coming from above me and there was no harsh weather. I heard a loud pop when i was driving and I pulled over and my whole sunroof shattered. The sunroof also has not been opened that day. The problem won’t be suspension is that when going over rough roads or bumps, my car squeaks. As for the steering, when I drive above 50 MPH and I brake, the car shakes. I’ve already taken it to two car shops to get it fixed and it problem persists.

NHTSA ID
11519496
Incident
Apr 27, 2023
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 9, 2023

Approximately several weeks ago, the check engine light illuminated in my vehicle. No issues were present at that time. Shortly after, approximately a week later, the vehicle began to stutter when reversing or driving on surface streets after being on the highway. The vehicle also would stall after the check engine light flashed several times. The vehicle would need to be turned off and turned back on to accelerate correctly and not stall. This has not been inspected by the dealer yet, a service appointment has been made. Mercedes recently recalled other models due to a water intrusion issue, but this model was not included, however it is exhibiting nearly the exact same symptoms.

NHTSA ID
11500957
Incident
Jan 1, 2023
AirbagsDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 7, 2022
1 injury reported

The system that appeared to malfunction is the front airbags sensors. I drove past an accident on the freeway the left by some rocks/debris in the road. I steered away from the rocks avoiding my tires, however, both of my front airbags deploy as if i collided with something. This has completely disabled my vehicle on the freeway, and shattered my windshield. I had the car towed to a repair shop for further diagnostic, and they confirmed there is no front end impact or collision on my vehicle. There is minor undercarriage scrapping, but it isn't near the airbag sensor. There were no warning lights on my vehicle prior to this, and my vehicle has been in no accidents. What caused my airbags to deploy if there was no impact?

NHTSA ID
11496424
Incident
Nov 29, 2022
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 8, 2022
Crash reported

The vehicle experienced a blowout of both tires on the drivers side while driving at high speeds on the highway. The sidewalls of both tires ruptured, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and wreck the suspension. This accident occured on March 26, 2022 (pending repair invoice). A similar incident in the same vehicle occured on March 20, 2021 that caused a blowout of both driver's side tires (attached repair invoice) after hitting a minor pothole. An additional two tires were replaced in July 2021 (attached repair invoice) and in January 2022. The high speed blowouts caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle at high speeds and almost caused a multi-car accident. The dealer has not acknowledged that the vehicle has any tire issues in spite of having to replace 5 tires due to blowouts and an additional tire due (done at another vendor) to a sidewall bubble within 14,000 miles of driving. There were no issues with the vehicle at the time of any accident. In fact the dealer had inspected the vehicle and tires the same week of the most recent accident (attached service invoice). It is my impression that the persistent tire issues represent a serious and dangerous problem with this vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11460171
Incident
Mar 26, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 28, 2022

unknown

NHTSA ID
11458646
Incident
Mar 18, 2022
Filed Mar 25, 2022

manufacturer has failed to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle in a timely manner

NHTSA ID
11458396
Incident
Mar 25, 2022
Visibility
Filed Mar 2, 2022
1 injury reported

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250C. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, he heard an explosion and saw that the panoramic sunroof had shattered. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was injured by the glass with small cuts on arms and hands. The contact did not seek medical attention. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the sunroof to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,868.

NHTSA ID
11454912
Incident
Feb 18, 2022
Mileage
16,868 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 13, 2020

MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FAILURES, INDEPENDENT SENSORS FAILED PREMATURELY. AIR BAGS SENSOR, DISTANCE RADAR SENSOR, MICROPHONE SENSOR, AMBIENT LIGHTING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY, AUDIO FAILS INTERMITTENTLY, AC FAILS INTERMITTENTLY, AND ENGINE TURNS OFF RANDOMLY. POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE OR ELECTRICAL HARNESS DEFECTS. FAILURES OCCUR WHEN STATIONARY AND MOVING. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSING TO INVESTIGATE ROOT CAUSE OF MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM FAILURES. THESE FAILURE ARE HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO OCCUR INDIVIDUALLY WITH AUTOMOTIVE GRADE COMPONENTS WITH PROPER QUALIFICATIONS TESTING.

NHTSA ID
11349083
Incident
Aug 13, 2020
Mileage
15,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 29, 2020

I SIGNED A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH A MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER ON A 2020 CLA 250 4MATIC CAR. HOWEVER, DUE TO A PENDING RECALL, THE DEALER CANNOT DELIVER THE CAR TO ME (AFTER A WEEK OF SIGNING THE LEASE CONTRACT) BECAUSE MERCEDES-BENZ USA INSTRUCTS THEM TO HOLD THE CAR BEFORE THE RECALL ISSUE IS FIXED. I SEARCHED ON NHTSA.GOV, THE RECALL "MBUSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 2020010007 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 20V045" WAS REPORTED ON JAN 27, 2020, WHILE STILL "RECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE" ON FEB 28, 2020. I ASK NHTSA TO ACT, AND URGE MERCEDES-BENZ USA TO EITHER RELEASE A RECALL FIX ASAP OR LET THE DEALER DELIVER THE VEHICLE TO CUSTOMER. THEN, A CUSTOMER CAN VISIT A DEALER FOR A RECALL FIX WHEN THE RECALL REMEDY IS ACTUALLY AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11312261
Incident
Feb 28, 2020

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .