2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250

Routine

Owners filed 177 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
17,515 milesMedian miles at failure

136 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine47
111
Electrical System26
001
Vehicle Speed Control18
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)14
101
Unknown or Other13
011
Air Bags9
000
Power Train8
000
Wheels7
100
Structure › Body7
011
Service Brakes5
101

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars23V854000
Filed Dec 15, 20232,976 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.

Risk. A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars21V197000
Filed Mar 19, 202115,096 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.

Risk. The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Communication19V787000
Filed Nov 1, 201924,226 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Risk. An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Air Bags › Frontal17V627000
Filed Oct 6, 2017495,290 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.

Risk. If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings16V901000
Filed Dec 14, 201610 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2014 CLA250 vehicles manufactured December 14, 2012, to April 24, 2013 equipped with gasoline engines. The affected vehicles have a fitting that connects the vacuum line to the brake booster which may break causing increased forced to be needed to apply the brakes.

Risk. If the vehicles unexpectedly need increased pressure on the brake pedal to apply the brakes, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector end fitting at the brake booster, free of charge. The recall began July 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification15V426000
Filed Jul 6, 201543 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2014 CLA 250C vehicles manufactured September 10, 2014, to September 11, 2014, 2014 CLA 250C 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 13, 2014, to September 25, 2014, and 2014 CLA 45 AMG 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 10, 2014, to September 25, 2014. The affected vehicles have fuses that may have been incorrectly installed in the passenger side interior fuse boxes.

Risk. If the fuses were not properly installed, they may lose electrical contact. In the event of a loss of electrical contact, certain systems may be impacted, including the function of the front passenger seat occupancy recognition system, the passenger side air bag indicator lamp, the instrument cluster and the windshield wipers. Should the function of the front passenger seat occupancy recognition system or the passenger side airbag indicator lamp be affected, the risk of injury for passengers in the event of a crash would be increased. Should the function of the instrument cluster and the windshield wipers be affected, the risk of a crash would be increased.

Remedy. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the position and orientation of the fuses, and if necessary, replace the fuse box, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015060007.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jun 30, 2026150,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal snapping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a code reader retrieved information that there was a fault with the SRS sensor. The contact was charged for a diagnostic test and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 21, 2026FL

The shifter randomly stops working so I could have the car in reverse and not be able to put it in drive and be stuck in traffic or vice versa. I can have the car and drive and not be able to put it in reverse. I'd be stuck in traffic very dangerous.

EngineFire
Filed Mar 10, 2026AL

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she discovered that the driver's side window was shattered. The sunroof was brown, and there was a hole in the dashboard showing the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught fire; however, the fire extinguished on its own. There were no prior warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or police report filed. The fire department responded and was present at the scene, and disconnected several wires. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2025PA

I own a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 with the 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder M270 engine. The check-engine light came on and an OBD-II scan showed fault code P052E / P052E71, which indicates that the valve for crankcase ventilation (PCV / crankcase ventilation valve integrated into the valve cover) has a malfunction and the actuator is blocked. The vehicle is available for inspection and, if the repair is performed, the failed part can be retained. This appears to be the same failure that has been documented by other owners and by Mercedes-Benz on the related M274 engine used in other models (same 2.0L turbo engine family and PCV / crankcase ventilation design, but in a longitudinal layout). For those vehicles, Mercedes has issued technical service bulletins and extended emissions-related warranty coverage for the crankcase ventilation / PCV system, but vehicles like my CLA with the M270 engine are excluded even though they show the same DTCs and failure. In my case, the problem has so far shown up as a check-engine light and stored fault codes, without obvious drivability symptoms yet. However, a blocked or failed crankcase ventilation valve can increase crankcase pressure, cause oil leaks, fuel vapor or oil smells, and potential turbocharger or drivability issues, which may create a safety risk if the problem worsens (loss of power or stalling). The problem has been reproduced multiple times with different OBD-II scan tools. I contacted Mercedes-Benz and was told there are no r

Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2025NY

P052e common crankcase ventilator issue mercedez extended warranty for later models for this same consistent issue in all the cars excluding 2014 starting at 2015 vehicles making us pay over $2000 for a fix supposed to be free being that it's all mercedes even the year before Should be a recall along with the hundreds of thousands of people with same issue online same car.

Structure
Filed Feb 25, 2025100,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact briefly lost control of the vehicle, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection, the contact observed excessive rust underneath the rear subframe. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Extended Warranty–Rear Subframe Damage Code: 35441 47. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 24, 2025CA

My rear subframe rusted from the inside out and due to the rust my control arm broke off

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 28, 2025MN

Check engine code p052e - PCV valve replacement (Crankcase Ventilation valve) - common issue on car and known recall for other models

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Dec 13, 202489,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the sunroof was inoperable. The contact stated that the glass panel had detached, and the contact became aware of a crack on the glass panel. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 29, 2024TX

I was driving down the highway without any vehicles in front of me at around 65mph when all of a sudden my panoramic roof exploded out of nowhere, it sounded like a gunshot going off inside the car and I nearly crashed my vehicle from the sudden explosion, I luckily had the glass shade cover up and glass did not fall in my face, I had my [XXX] daughter and [XXX] son in the backseat and they are now terrified to get back into any vehicle. This is extremely dangerous situation and will cause a serious accident in the future if not fixed. Nothing hit my roof and I wasn’t even using it at the time no one touched the thing, it just exploded out of nowhere. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Engine
Filed Sep 26, 202476,850 milesOK

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that when the vehicle stalled, an audible chime sounded, and the air bag warning light illuminated, and a RED triangle symbol flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the instrument cluster went blank, and the vehicle lost power steering assist. Additionally, the brake pedal was very difficult to depress. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and the vehicle had not taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,850.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 21, 2024MA

Apparently the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) which is built into the gas pedal on this 2014 MB CLA250 only lasts so long before it becomes defective under highway conditions and causes the vehicle to go into LIMP MODE. When full acceleration is necessary, the unit will work for perhaps a few months or less, and then continue to fail worse and more frequently with each attempt at full acceleration. At highway speeds, this is an essential feature in a 4-cylinder vehicle such as this one and without the necessary acceleration capability, can expose the driver to serious risk of collision with other on-coming vehicles traveling at highway speeds. This "Limp Mode" features is extremely dangerous and hazardous to not only the driver of their vehicle, but to other drivers around them since they are left in a devastating position of being unable to accelerate normally and as necessary and as one would expect in any vehicle, let alone a Mercedes Benz. Never before have I driven a car that falls out of full acceleration mode only to subject the driver to serious collision circumstances. Whoever the imbecile is at MB engineering who incorporated this Limp Mode Feature should be fired!!! To make matters worse, this cheaply built TPS, which is the cause of the problem in my vehicle specifically, was only warrantied twice by the dealer and now they will not replace it under warranty which is a two-year period. I've only had the part 5 months before it failed again due to poor manufacturin

WheelsCrash
Filed Feb 11, 2024VA

I was driving my 2014 Mercedes CLA 250 on [XXX] traveling away from Fairfax County and towards Prince William County on Christmas morning right before [XXX]. The front right passenger side wheel started shaking and then flew off. I brought the car to a stop on the left hand shoulder of the road on three wheels. My wheel hit the metal fence and then ricocheted back across to the left crossing both sides of traffic (four lanes), hitting a concrete wall and becoming airborne before landing in the stream below. It was sunny and there was no rain. Speed was 45 mph. Witnesses observed the incident and I have their contact information. A police report was filed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Electrical System
Filed Jan 15, 2024CT

As I was driving yesterday afternoon, I heard a noise and normally we don't hear any type of noise or air coming into the car. I decided to open the sunroof to see if there was something wrong with it like if it was stuck open or if something was stuck in it, and the whole sunroof almost flew off the car. I had to pull over as fast as I could into the break down lane and it took me a while to close it and it still seems to be open, I didn't see anything stuck in the guide rails or in the area when closing it. I was very scared for the safety of my children and myself and for the other drivers on the highway. I have made an appointment so the shop and check the car out and run some diagnostics. There are no warning lights or messages prior to the sunroof almost flying off the car.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 5, 2024FL

Component failure was steering column module. Safety issue was air bag could inadvertently deploy while driving. Recall NHTSA # 17V627 was issued. Vehicle inspected by Stargate Garage, Caliber Collision and Mercedes of Pompano Beach FL. Message displayed was front left malfunction and red warning light for SRS system. Warning message and red light appeared 18 months after dealer supposedly repaired this recalled item. Vehicle was returned to dealer to make proper repair on this recalled item and they refused to replace it. Steering column module was replace by Stargate Garage and the message left front malfunction and red light warning SRS no longer appears on instrument panel. Stargate Garage was paid $685 to make this repair which should have been the dealer's responsibility. Therefor I am requesting that the dealer reimburse me my out of pocket expense of $685.00 since it was there responsibility to make this repair under the recall that was issued. I was unable to upload my documentation so I will also be sending this information in the mail.

Engine
Filed Dec 19, 2023MN

Common issue with this make and model and many others Check engine code P052E

Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2023CA

My engine light is and as per mechanics I have seen it is a very common problem with mercedes benz around crankcase ventilation actuator. As per mechanics its faulty part and mercedes have changed it for new models but there is no recall on the older models. Cost to repair the part is around $3500. Issue with the part if causing environment problem as mileages is reduced and more fuel burning. This eventually impacts the engine and car.

Structure
Filed Oct 18, 2023150,000 milesAL

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that the front panel around the panoramic roof was separating. The contact called a dealer and was informed that there was a recall for the panel separation, however, the VIN was not included. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 9, 2023GA

Please let me preface this by saying that I am a certified aircraft mechanic and have a good working knowledge of cars. My vehicle had NO prior indications, symptoms or abnormalities! This was completely out of the blue. Absolutely no warning that this was going to happen. The transmission of my 2014 CLA 250 Base model, while operating at 65mph on the interstate, all on its own, went into neutral and now will not engage into Drive. Initially following this incident, as I dogged the other vehicles on the interstate and coasted to the emergency lane, there were the following warning lights: ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, PARKING BRAKE accompanied with the alerts….PRE-SAFE Functions Limited, ABS/TRACTION CONTROL Currently Unavailable See O.M., Parking Brake See O.M. I then took it to the MB dealership and after they attempted transmission adaptation (which was not successful) they showed me the following fault codes: 079200-RPM sensor 1 has a malfunction, 287C00-Adaptation was not completed successfully. The alerts now state….Service Required: Do Not Shift Gears, visit dealer. The dealer wanted to change the transmission. I refused. I have had zero noticeable issues with the transmission with 72,000 miles. I had the transmission fluid replaced at 65,000 miles. I baby the car. I shouldn’t need to explain the dangers of a vehicle, while driving, randomly shifting into neutral, and not being able to be shifted back into Drive. I attempted all possible means of shifting the automatic transm

Engine
Filed May 11, 2023CA

As I was driving, the car is on D but it slips into N and I cannot shift to any other gear accept P. This happens randomly and happened three times. I noticed the GLA250 also had this issue. I have to turn off my engine and restart my car to get it running again normally.

20 of 177 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20251000Routine
20242000Routine
20236000Routine
20221000Routine
20217500Routine
2020201100Routine
201922600Routine
201840910Routine
2017271000Routine
201666811Fatalities reported
201561700Routine
2014 — this page177630Routine
20139000Routine
20127000Routine

Compare every CLA 250 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 15, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.