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2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Wheels is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues321.4%
Transmission and shifting214.3%
Engine operation214.3%
Braking behavior214.3%
Steering behavior214.3%

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.

Wheels
4
Electrical System
3
Steering
3
Suspension
2
Tires
2
Back Over Prevention
1
Engine
1
Service Brakes
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Wheels4
Electrical System3
Steering3
Suspension2
Tires2
Back Over Prevention1
Engine1
Service Brakes1

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

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.

2019
3
2020
1
2021
1
2023
3
2024
3
2025
2
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20193
20201
20211
20233
20243
20252
20261

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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

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 11222710 · 2019-06-26 (June 26, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR DAILY DRIVING. THE RIMS WERE BENDING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION, WHICH CAUSED A BUMPY RIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA (101 SUNRISE HWY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701, [phone removed]) SEVEN TIMES. THE RIMS WERE REMOVED AND SHIPPED OFF FOR REPAIRS MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER EACH VISIT TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE RIMS AND WHEELS WERE…

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222710 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 ↗

Owner report 11300055 · 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)

I AM ALSO HAVING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM ISSUE AS STATED IN: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11280637

Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11300055 at NHTSA ↗

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 11510194 · 2023-03-05 (March 5, 2023)

I was scared for my life. I was driving on the freeway and went to change lanes then all of a sudden i lost control and slid sideways and luckily didn’t hit anything. These tires only have 3000 miles on them and are COMPLETELY BALD!! This is not safe and horrible. Falken needs to make this right

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11510194 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11536301 · 2023-08-03 (August 3, 2023)

I had a slow leak in the rear passenger tire for a few weeks now so I took it to the neighborhood tire shop. No nail or puncture was discovered but a hairline crack in the rear wheel. The tire shop manager advised me to call the dealership and ask the part to be replaced as this is a very low mileage vehicle. The crack according to the shop is definitely a defect in the wheel as there was no evidence of impact damage. I contacted the dealer for a warranty replacement as it should be covered under my CPO warranty coverage and they will get b…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11536301 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11552658 · 2023-10-30 (October 30, 2023)

I have had to replace 3 wheels at great cost due to cracks. I believe the wheels are defectively designed. The wheels cannot support the vehicle's weight. The cast iron aluminum wheels together with the low profile run flat tires contribute to a road hazard and dangerous condition. I understand that this problem has been encountered by many, many MBZ owners.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11552658 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

12 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

18V515000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification

Reported: 2018-08-03 (August 3, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300, E300 4Matic, E43 AMG 4Matic, E400 4Matic, E63S AMG 4Matic+, and 2019 CLS450 4Matic vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in the front seat.

Consequence: If a child seat is in the front seat and the passenger air bag is not deactivated, in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V761000 · Electrical System:Software

Reported: 2018-10-29 (October 29, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300, C300 4Matic, C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C43 AMG, C43 AMG Cabrio, C43 AMG Coupe, CLS450, CLS450 4Matic, CLS53 AMG 4Matic, E53 AMG 4Matic, E450 4Matic, E450 4Matic Coupe, E53 AMG 4Matic Coupe, G550, and G63 AMG vehicles. The Central Powertrain Controller (CPC) control unit could reset while driving, possibly causing an engine stall.

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the CPC control unit software, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019030012.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V850000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack

Reported: 2018-11-29 (November 29, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019 C300, C350e, C63 AMG, C63S AMG Cabrio, 2018 C63 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, E300, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2019 CLS450, E450 Cabrio, and E450 Coupe rear-wheel drive vehicles. A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.

Consequence: A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019080012.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V911000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Reported: 2018-12-19 (December 19, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, and CLS53 AMG vehicles. The horizontal adjustment screw may not be effectively sealed, allowing the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, & Associated Equipment."

Consequence: If the headlights are not properly adjusted, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the horizontal headlight adjustment screws, sealing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2019. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019020007.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V540000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Radar

Reported: 2019-07-19 (July 19, 2019)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300 Cabrio, C300A Cabrio 4MATIC, C300 Coupe, C300 Coupe 4MATIC, C300, C300 4MATIC, C43 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, C43 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, C43 AMG 4MATIC, C63 AMG Cabrio, C63S AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C63 AMG, C63S AMG, CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, CLS53 AMG 4MATIC, E300, E300 4MATIC, E450 Cabrio, E450 Cabrio 4MATIC, E450 Coupe, E450 Coupe 4MATIC, E450 Wagon 4MATIC, E450 4MATIC, E53 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, E53 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, E53 AMG 4MATIC, E63S AMG 4MATIC, E63S AMG Wagon 4MATIC, S450, S450 4MATIC, S560 Cabrio, S560 Coupe 4MATIC, S560, S560 4MATIC, S560 4MATIC Maybach, S63 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, S63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, S63 AMG 4MATIC, S65 AMG Cabrio, S65 AMG, and AMG GT53 Coupe 4MATIC vehicles, and 2020 GLC300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLE350 4MATIC, and GLE450 4MATIC vehicles equipped with the Driver Assistance Package. A software error in the radar sensor control unit may impair the functionality of the Active Brake Assist.

Consequence: An impaired Active Brake Assist may not automatically apply partial or full braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the radar sensor control unit software, free of charge. The recall began September 13, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019080008.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V605000 · Electrical System:Wiring | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System

Reported: 2019-08-16 (August 16, 2019)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 CLS 450 Coupe and CLS 450 Coupe 4MATIC vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder gasoline engines. The electrical line that supplies power to the engine coolant pump may contact the engine fan and chafe, possibly causing a malfunction of the coolant pump or a deactivation of the 48V on-board electrical system.

Consequence: A malfunctioning engine coolant pump can increase coolant temperatures, possibly leading to an engine stall. Deactivation of the 48V on-board electrical system can cause the vehicle to not restart after using the ECO start/stop function or "Glide" mode. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the coolant pump electrical line for damage, repairing it and rerouting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019090019.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V788000 · Seat Belts

Reported: 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E400 Wagon 4MATIC, E400 4MATIC, E43 AMG 4MATIC, 2018-2019 E63S AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E63 AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E300, E300 4MATIC, GLC63S Coupe AMG 4MATIC, 2019 CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, CLS53 AMG 4MATIC, E450 Wagon, E53 AMG 4MATIC, GLC300, GLC63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, G550 4MATIC, G63 AMG, GLC300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC300 4MATIC, GLC350e 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG 4MATIC, GLC63 AMG 4MATIC, GT63 AMG four-door 4MATIC, and GT63S AMG four-door 4MATIC vehicles. Although correctly fastened, the front seat belts may be inaccurately detected as being unfastened, which may cause the electric PRE-SAFE®-function and the pretensioner to be deactivated.

Consequence: The electric PRE-SAFE®-function and the seat belt pretensioners may not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckles, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020020017.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V449000 · Electrical System:Software | Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices

Reported: 2020-07-31 (July 31, 2020)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300, C300 Coupe, CLS450, E450 Coupe and S450, 2017-2019 E300, 2018 E400 Coupe, E400 Stationwagon, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles that have previously had the instrument cluster replaced. The software in the replaced instrument cluster may cause the seat belt warning system to not operate properly, only displaying a solid warning light if either the driver or passenger seat belt is unfastened, instead of a blinking light with an audible tone.

Consequence: Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020080015.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V058000 · Communication: Auto Crash Notification | Electrical System:Software

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V232000 · Back Over Prevention:Display Function

Reported: 2022-04-08 (April 8, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V365000 · Communication: Auto Crash Notification | Electrical System:Software

Reported: 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V733000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery

Reported: 2022-09-30 (September 30, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 CLS450 Coupe and AMG E53, 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 Coupe, and 2021-2022 E450 vehicles. The 12-Volt battery in the trunk may not be properly secured, which, in the event of a crash, can cause electrical connection failure, disabling various safety features including, emergency call (eCall) system, electric seat adjustment, hazard warning lights, and automatic door locks.

Consequence: The inability to operate safety features (eCall system, hazard lights, electric seats, or automatic door locks) can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will secure the 12V battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022100009.

NHTSA campaign record ↗