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2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Driver assistance518.5%
  • Electrical518.5%
  • Engine311.1%
  • Fuel system311.1%
  • Visibility27.4%
  • Brakes27.4%
  • Other / unspecified27.4%
  • Steering27.4%
  • Airbags13.7%
  • Exterior lighting13.7%
  • Suspension13.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 10, 2026

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 · filed Sep 12, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 12, 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 · filed Jan 3, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 16, 2024

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 · filed Jul 25, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 10, 2024

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 · filed Jul 25, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 25, 2026

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 · filed Mar 2, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 17, 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 · filed Jan 29, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 29, 2024

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 · filed Apr 8, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 28, 2023

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 · filed Dec 7, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 7, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 13, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 28, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .