2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
27,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 40 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Air Bags: 7; Engine: 6; Structure:Body: 5; Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette: 2; Power Train: 2; Seats: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 31 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 7; 2024: 9; 2025: 11; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11431596 · 2021-09-03 (September 3, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a ticking sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, there was a knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the control arms were faulty and needed to be replaced. The control arms were replaced but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11431596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11542118 · 2023-09-01 (September 1, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel made a clicking sound while turning, and the mileage button on the steering wheel was inoperable. An independent mechanic was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the failure could be related to a faulty clockspring; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but stated that there was no recal…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11542118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11143405 · 2018-10-27 (October 27, 2018)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE ACCESS ROAD GETTING READY TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I PROCEEDED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND MADE IT INTO THE MIDDLE LANE GOING AROUND 60 MPH BUT SHORTLY AFTER MY CAR THREW ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL AND THE DASH LIT UP WITH THREE LINES OF WORDS: THE FIRST LINE SAID 'SERVICE REQUIRED', THE SECOND LINE SAID 'DO NOT SHIFT GEARS' AND THE LAST LINE SAID 'CONTACT DEALER'. I WAS ABLE TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE FAR LEFT HAND SIDE OF TRAFFIC. I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. SINCE THIS INCIDENT THOUGH, I H…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,274 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415295 · 2021-05-05 (May 5, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V058000 (COMMUNICATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF ATLANTA NORTHEAST (1705 BOGGS RD NW, DULUTH, GA 30096, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD N…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11415295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11564453 · 2024-01-09 (January 9, 2024)
The cluster panel lights that indicate speed, fuel, brakes, lights, turn signal, engine light, high beams and all other components of safety of car continue to black out altogether or flash on and off continuous while driving. Safety is an issue if your driving and cluster panel blacks out. You do not know the speed your driving at and no turn signals work. The problem was reported to Mercedes and the software was reset. The problem continues to happen while driving and is dangerous on highways as speedometer and turn signals do not work. Gas …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11564453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11699248 · 2025-11-13 (November 13, 2025)
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 danger as the command shaft shut off and I could not see the dashboard or any lights in the vehicle. I was alone and on a dark road. After sitting for 15 minutes, I was able to get a light to come on and drove to my destination. On my way home, the ligh…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11699248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11531259 · 2023-07-10 (July 10, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic replaced the coolant reservoir cap. Several months later, the warning light re-appeared, and the contact topped off the coolant level and the warning light disappeared. Recently, the check engine warning light illuminated and took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a defective fuel in…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11531259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11722825 · 2026-03-08 (March 8, 2026)
Corrosion of the fuel system (on a Flex Fuel rated vehicle that had used E85 blend regularly) causing sudden loss of power, misfires, lack of acceleration The vehicle experience sudden loss of power, multiple misfires, and potential damage to the engine. Had the vehicle been on the highway or attempting to merge with traffic this could have resulted in an accident See attached dealer diagnosis and replacement of multiple fuel injectors, fuel pump, and fuel rail. The dealer service manager stated (but did not document) that this was probably…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11722825 at NHTSA ↗