2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
1,740 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Wheels is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 21.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Wheels | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Wheels: 4; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Suspension: 2; Tires: 2; Back Over Prevention: 1; Engine: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (4). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Wheels leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 11434449 · 2021-09-27 (September 27, 2021)
While driving on an interstate highway, I received a yellow "48V Battery malfunction" notice. Because this battery had failed before, I had read on internet forums that the car could just stop working, so I took the next exit (about 3-4 miles). At the top of the ramp, I had a red "Battery Malfunction" (red=stop driving); then, within 15 seconds the car had no power and gave me a critical "engine overheated" message. I was able to coast into a parking lot. Had I not exited, the loss of power would have likely resulted in an accident and we …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11580697 · 2024-04-02 (April 2, 2024)
My car started shaking and after putting it on the computer it was an electrical wiring harness issue. I was told it will be 6 k to replace both harnesses. It’s been 8 months and they just received the part. The service tech told me that these cars have this issue due to the position of the harnesses being to close to the exhaust. It dries out the wiring. I went to the Mercedes forum and found numerous complaints about this issue. Recently I baited the Mercedes of downtown Los Angeles and was advised they received another cls 450 with the same …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11580697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11680421 · 2025-08-13 (August 13, 2025)
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted; however, the contact was able to continue driving to the destination at slow speeds. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission wiring harness. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related th…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11680421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11751960 · 2026-07-21 (July 21, 2026)
My vehicle steering wheel completely disengaged/malfunctioned when driving home. The steering wheel continuously rotates however there is no shifting of wheels. This is hazardous as I had to brake the car and call roadside assistance. It is currently at the Mercedes dealership and will be inspected tomorrow. The car displayed the following error after the steering malfunctioned: ESP® is malfunctioning Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction. The brake system continues to operate normally. The braking distance…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11751960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11217434 · 2019-06-03 (June 3, 2019)
MY CAR CUT OFF ON THE BUSY 405 FREEWAY AS I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE BRAND NEW CAR 3 MONTHS . I STARED TO RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING ALERTS ON THE CAR PANEL:"BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERATIVE , "ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTIONED LIMITED" ,"ATTENTION ASSIST, SYSTEM SUSPENDED". THE CALL SLOWLY STALLED ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD TO EXIT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THE CAR CUT OFF. IT STARTED AGAIN. I TRIED TO CONTINUE MY TRIP, BUT THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES. I EXITED THE FREEWAY NEAR UCLA . MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTA…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,380 miles reported. Look up ODI 11217434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11280637 · 2019-11-17 (November 17, 2019)
UPON DRIVING OVER CERTAIN BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE SUSPENSION HAS THE SENSATION THAT THE WHEELS AND/OR LUG NUTS ARE LOOSE. THIS PRODUCES A DISTURBING SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT THAT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE LACKS CONTROL. THIS CONDITION IS RELATED TO THE FACT THAT ROTORS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY; TWO SETS IN 4700 MILES. BAD ROTORS PRODUCE A SHAKING STEERING WHEEL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. EVEN AFTER REPLACING ROTORS AND THE REPAIRS APPEARS TO BE DONE, THE SHAKING STEERING WHEEL COMES BACK READILY AFTER AN EPISODE OF HITTING BUMPS THAT PRODUCE THE SIDE TO S…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11280637 at NHTSA ↗