NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 12 recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450.
Wheel-related complaints dominate the 2019 CLS 450's complaint picture, with owners frequently describing tire blowouts occurring during ordinary city and highway driving. Several owners report multiple blowouts within a short ownership period, often after hitting minor road irregularities, and the vehicle's run-flat tire setup appears consistently across these reports. The electrical system draws the next-highest volume of complaints, with owners describing wiring harness failures that trigger vehicle shaking and loss of power. Repair timelines for harness replacements have reportedly stretched to several months due to parts availability. A smaller number of owners report rearview camera failures, specifically the camera display going dark during reversing with no accompanying warning lights.
13
Total Complaints
By System
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 has 12 recalls, the most serious involving a software fault that can cause the engine to stall without warning, and a steering rack defect that can reduce the driver's ability to steer the vehicle.
On the occupant safety side, the passenger seat sensor may not correctly detect a child seat in the front seat, leaving the passenger airbag active when it should be suppressed during a crash. The seatbelt pretensioners and the pre-crash tensioning system may also fail to deploy in a collision. On certain vehicles where the instrument cluster has been replaced, the seatbelt reminder chime and warning light may not function, leaving front occupants without the usual prompt to buckle up.
Several electrical and mechanical issues also affect this model. A wiring harness near the engine cooling fan can chafe and disable the coolant pump, causing the engine to overheat and potentially stall. The automatic emergency braking system may not apply partial or full braking as expected. The 48V battery system on certain vehicles can fail, disabling hazard lights, door locks, and electric seat movement during a crash.
There are also two separate concerns with the emergency call system: it may fail to connect to emergency services at all, or it may transmit the wrong location after a crash. The rearview camera can fail to display an image when reversing. Finally, a poorly sealed headlight adjustment screw can allow the beam aim to shift, reducing forward visibility at night.
At a glance
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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 can fail
The 12-volt battery in the trunk may not be properly secured. During a crash, it could shift and disconnect, disabling safety features like emergency calling, power seats, hazard lights, and automatic door locks.
What the fix does
Dealers will secure the 12-volt battery in the trunk to prevent movement during a crash.
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
A software error prevents the rearview camera from displaying the backup image on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost to restore the backup image display.
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 replacement instrument cluster software may fail to activate the seat belt warning system correctly, showing only a steady light instead of a blinking light with sound when a seat belt is unfastened.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software at no cost to restore proper seat belt warning operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt buckles may be incorrectly detected as unfastened even when properly fastened, which can disable the PRE-SAFE® function and pretensioner.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace front seat belt buckles as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical line powering the engine coolant pump may rub against the engine fan, causing it to wear through. This could disable the coolant pump or shut down the 48-volt electrical system.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the coolant pump electrical line for damage, repair it, and reroute it to prevent contact with the fan.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the radar sensor control unit may reduce or disable the Active Brake Assist system's ability to function properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radar sensor control unit software at no cost to restore proper system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The horizontal adjustment screw on the headlights may not be properly sealed, which can allow the headlights to be incorrectly adjusted and fail to meet federal lighting standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the horizontal headlight adjustment screws and seal them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A locknut in the steering rack may break under heavy load, potentially causing the steering to lock in one position.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering rack at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Central Powertrain Controller can reset unexpectedly while driving, which may cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the CPC control unit software at no cost to restore proper operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant classification system may be improperly calibrated, causing the front air bag to remain active when a child seat is present.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion at no charge to recalibrate the occupant detection system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.