NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The front roof panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof may have been improperly bonded during a prior repair, causing the panel to detach from the vehicle.
This page covers 9 recalls and 38 owner complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250.
Electrical complaints dominate what 2018 CLA 250 owners report, with the instrument cluster and dash electronics drawing the most attention. Owners describe the gauge cluster displaying inaccurate readings, lights flickering, and the entire dashboard cycling on and off while driving. A handful of reports describe a more complete electrical shutdown, where the instrument panel goes dark without warning. Airbag-related complaints make up the second-largest group, though the specific symptoms vary across those reports. On the engine side, a few owners describe sudden power loss and misfires, in at least one case connected to fuel system corrosion. A smaller number of owners report an audible clicking from the steering column during turns, sometimes paired with the steering wheel controls stopping working.
38
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 has 9 recalls, the most serious being a driver airbag that can deploy without warning, raising the risk of injury and a crash.
Two separate recalls involve the front passenger seat sensor being miscalibrated: in one case, it may fail to deactivate the passenger airbag when a child seat is present, and in another, it may prevent the airbag from deploying correctly for an adult passenger. Both scenarios raise the risk of injury in a crash. On the structural side, the adhesive bonding on the front roof panel can deteriorate or fail, allowing the panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. One of these roof panel recalls applies where a prior repair attempt did not fully resolve the bonding issue.
Three recalls concern the emergency call system: in different scenarios, the system can become disabled entirely or dispatch responders to the wrong location, either of which delays emergency help after a crash. There is also a lighting issue where taillights and side marker lights can flicker or go dark, reducing the vehicle's visibility to other drivers.
At a glance
What can fail
The front roof panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof may have been improperly bonded during a prior repair, causing the panel to detach from the vehicle.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front roof panel at no charge to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the communication module's SIM card can prevent mobile network connection, which disables the emergency call (eCall) system.
What the fix does
The communication module software will be updated at no cost through an over-the-air update or by a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front roof panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof may not be properly bonded to the vehicle from a previous repair, risking separation.
What the fix does
The dealer will remove and replace the front roof panel using proper bonding materials and procedures at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module may have been turned off during service, disabling the Emergency Call function that connects your vehicle to emergency services.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the communication module and reactivate it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your vehicle's correct location to emergency services when the eCall system activates during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communication module software, or the update will be sent over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may be improperly calibrated, which could prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger seat cushion at no charge to restore proper air bag deployment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tail lights and side marker lights may flicker or fail, reducing your vehicle's visibility to other drivers.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected light bulb sockets at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The system that detects front passenger seat occupancy may not be properly set up, so the front passenger air bag might not turn off when a child seat is present.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion at no cost to recalibrate the occupant detection system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's airbag may deploy unexpectedly if the steering components lack proper grounding and the airbag clockspring is broken, allowing electrostatic discharge to trigger deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add grounding to the steering components to prevent electrostatic discharge from triggering the airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.