2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
15,934 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 20 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
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 | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Engine: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 2; Steering: 2; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2020: 2; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 4; 2025: 3; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 11519496 · 2023-04-28 (April 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 probl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11519496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11568628 · 2024-01-29 (January 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11568628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11349083 · 2020-08-13 (August 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 COMPONEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11349083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11686937 · 2025-09-12 (September 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 .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11686937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500957 · 2023-01-09 (January 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 reca…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11588068 · 2024-05-10 (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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11588068 at NHTSA ↗