Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Best and Worst Years (2012–2025)
For the Mercedes-Benz Cla250, avoid 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018, which carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 85, 92, and 77) and heavy recall counts. 2013 is the Best year with a complaint index of just 15, and 2012 and 2021 are also Good choices.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 14
- 2012–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 448
- Recall campaigns
- 27
- Crashes reported
- 26
- Fires reported
- 5
- Top problem area
- Engine
Cla250 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mercedes-Benz Cla250 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Good | 31 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2013 | Best | 15 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 100 | 179 | 5 | 3 | 6 | Engine | 28.5 | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 85 | 61 | 5 | 0 | 7 | Engine | 27 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 92 | 66 | 5 | 1 | 8 | Engine | 27 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 46 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 10 | Electrical System | 27 | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 77 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 9 | Electrical System | 27 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 54 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 6 | Engine | 27 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 69 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 11 | Electrical System | 27.5 | — |
| 2021 | Good | 38 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 28 | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Structure & Body | 28 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 62 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 28 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 29 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 29.5 | — |
Cla250 years to avoid: what went wrong
2014 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Index 100 · 179 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2014 Cla250 has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 179 complaints and 6 recall campaigns. Half of complaints involve the Engine, with a median failure mileage of 14,720 miles, and owners also reported Electrical System and Brakes issues at low median mileages. Sample complaints describe stalling on highways, brakes becoming inoperative, and a wheel detaching while driving. Three fires and five crashes were reported for this year.
2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 brakes problems →
2016 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Index 92 · 66 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2016 Cla250 has a complaint index of 92, with 66 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, one of which involved a death. Engine issues were most common at 24 percent, with a median failure mileage of 45,000 miles, followed by Airbags at 20 percent with a median of 29,000 miles. Owners reported airbags that failed to deploy in crashes, tire blowouts causing loss of control, and a seat-warmer related fire.
2015 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Index 85 · 61 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2015 Cla250 posts a complaint index of 85 with 61 complaints and 7 recall campaigns. Engine problems make up 28 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 36,107 miles, and Airbags account for 13 percent at a median of 34,500 miles. Owners described airbags failing to deploy in crashes and a collision-prevention system that stayed falsely activated. Five crashes and four injuries were reported.
2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Index 77 · 40 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2018 Cla250 carries a complaint index of 77 across 40 complaints and 9 recall campaigns. Electrical System complaints lead at 25 percent, with a low median failure mileage of 3,274 miles, followed by Airbags at 20 percent with a median of 42,730 miles. Owners described the car unexpectedly shifting into neutral with a dashboard warning to contact the dealer, airbags not deploying after impact, and unexpected shutdowns while driving.
Most common Mercedes-Benz Cla250 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine151 (34%)
- Electrical System90 (20%)
- Other90 (20%)
- Airbags57 (13%)
- Structure & Body45 (10%)
- Brakes39 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain38 (8%)
- Fuel System34 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers24 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Mercedes-Benz Cla250 should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 as the years to avoid, based on complaint indexes of 100, 85, 92, and 77 and multiple recall campaigns in each of those years.
- What is the best year for the Mercedes-Benz Cla250?
- 2013 is rated Best with a complaint index of only 15 and no recall campaigns. 2012 and 2021 are also rated Good, with complaint indexes of 31 and 38.
- Is the 2014 Cla250 reliable based on complaints?
- The 2014 Cla250 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, 179 complaints, and 6 recall campaigns, making it the year with the most reported problems for this model.
- What are the most common problems reported on the Cla250?
- Across all years, Engine complaints account for 34 percent of the 448 total complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 20 percent and Airbags at 13 percent.
- Does the Cla250 have a lot of recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns across the Cla250's model years, with 2020 alone having 11 recall campaigns and 2016 having 8.