2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Dec 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“After a hard impact car continued to go then when came to a stop the air bags deployed which resulted in injuring my left arm”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2026
“The instrument cluster gauges start giving in accurate information and the whole dash start turning on and off. I found hundreds of people posting complaints about this issue with the 2018 mercedes cla 250 but mercedes refuses to acknowledge this issue and put out a recall probably out of greed and to not loose money. This is a dangerous issue. Mercedes wants to charge people appropriately $3,000 for parts and labor to fix this issue which is ridiculous. Please look into this. There needs to be a recall. This is dangerous especially for the people that cant afford this repair.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2026
“Corrosion of the fuel system (on a Flex Fuel rated vehicle that had used E85 blend regularly) causing sudden loss of power, misfires, lack of acceleration The vehicle experience sudden loss of power, multiple misfires, and potential damage to the engine. Had the vehicle been on the highway or attempting to merge with traffic this could have resulted in an accident See attached dealer diagnosis and replacement of multiple fuel injectors, fuel pump, and fuel rail. The dealer service manager stated (but did not document) that this was probably caused by using E85, despite the fact that the vehicle is rated for E85/flex fuel There were no warnings or indications prior to the incident”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“My clock spring is no longer working, it made all the buttons on my steering wheel stop working and i am afraid the airbag will deploy at random since there was a recall on cla models 2015-2018. I own a Mercedes cla 250 2018 but it is not showing a recall on my specific vehicle. Not only that but they no longer sell just the clock spring for my car, im assuming because of the recall. I am scared that my airbag will randomly deploy while im driving or that it will not deploy at all in case of an accident. It was diagnosed by an independent mechanic There was no other messages except when my left side airbag service needed message popped up”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2025
“P052E Check Engine light on. Same part is defective on other models that use the same parts. My car is not included in the recall.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2025
“The panoramic sunroof opens and closes but will not shut completely in the back. When calling around for a quote mechanics were aware of the issue occurring with this specific make model and class of vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2025
“When you start off at a slow speed, the rear end of the car starts making a knocking noise. We had it inspected by Mercedes-Benz and they said that it is the rear differential.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2025
“The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the car wash, water entered through the overhead center console. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the front roof panel needed to be replaced and resealed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 61,050.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2025
“The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the sunroof switch was enabled to open the sunroof; however, the sunroof failed to open as intended. The contact stated that the left side of the sunroof did not open as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with sunroof assembly failure. The contact was informed that the sunroof assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2025
“My car clock spring has went out, and it affects my car airbag deploy. I see it's a problem with the Mercedes Cla250. It's very dangerous it causes your horn not to work as well!”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC vehicles. The tail lights and the side marker lights may flicker or fail, affecting the vehicle's visibility.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected light bulb sockets, free of charge. The recall began April 5, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019030009.
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.
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.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2018 CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC, and 2017-2018 CLA45 AMG vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060012.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, and CLA45 AMG 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.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began January 2, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018120001.
How other years compare
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Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla. The most complained-about area is air bags (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 27,000 miles or less.
Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.