YearToAvoid

2017 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

46/100

#8 most-complained of 14 Cla250 years

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 has 27 complaints and a complaint index of 46, ranking 8th out of 14 model years with data. NHTSA lists 10 recalls, and the verdict is Good relative to other Cla250 years, with Electrical System issues the top problem area.

Complaints
27
Recalls
10
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
27
23 city / 32 hwy

Top 2017 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System7 (26%)
  2. Airbags5 (19%)
  3. Engine5 (19%)
  4. Other4 (15%)
  5. Structure & Body4 (15%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain4 (15%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers3 (11%)
  8. Steering2 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
  10. Fuel System1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the panoramic sunroof front cover detaching from the frame, in one case while driving around 60 mph.
  • Some describe the sunroof glass shattering while driving at low speed, around 30 mph, with no overpass or nearby vehicle contact.
  • Electrical failures are described as sensor malfunctions, battery power loss causing complete electrical shutdown, and faulty wire harnesses.
  • One owner reported the steering wheel locking up while driving on the freeway.
  • Owners report complete transmission failure during low-speed turns, including one case where the half shaft failed and the transmission would not engage drive or reverse.
  • Several owners reported delays getting airbag recall parts, with one noting a passenger-side airbag warning light illuminated after a crash without deployment.
2017 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 complaints: complaints filed per month5Jun 2017Dec 2017Apr 2018Apr 2019Dec 2020Jan 2022May 2024Jul 2025
37 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2017 to Jul 2025; peak Jul 2024 (5).

2017 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V854000Dec 15, 2023Structure & Body2,976 vehicles

    Structure:body:roof and pillars

    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.

  2. NHTSA 22V365000May 20, 2022Electrical System242,722 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Electrical system:software

    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.

    Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 21V229000Apr 1, 2021Steering4,992 vehicles

    Steering

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 B250e, CLA250, 2017-2018 AMG CLA45, GLA250, and AMG GLA45 vehicles. The steering shaft bore hole for the universal joint bearing may allow excessive movement that, over time, could result in the separation of the bearing and universal joint.

    Risk: A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060001.

See all 10 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 →

2017 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
32 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other Cla250 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid8561727
2016Avoid9266827
2017Good46271027
2018Avoid7740927
2019Caution6222627

All Mercedes-Benz Cla250 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 reliable?
NHTSA data shows 27 complaints and a complaint index of 46 for the 2017 Cla250, ranking 8th out of 14 model years. Its verdict is Good compared to other Cla250 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Cla250?
Electrical System issues make up 26% of complaints (7 of 27), followed by Airbags and Engine at 19% each (5 complaints apiece). Structure & Body and Transmission & Powertrain each account for 15% of complaints.
Does the 2017 Cla250 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2017 Cla250, covering areas including Airbags, Steering, Electrical System, and Structure & Body. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
Which Cla250 model years should be avoided?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 model years carry an Avoid verdict, with complaint indexes ranging from 77 to 100. The 2017 model year, by comparison, has a complaint index of 46 and a Good verdict.
What mileage do 2017 Cla250 problems typically appear at?
The median mileage at failure for the 2017 Cla250 is 39,381 miles overall, though Electrical System complaints show a median of 29,929 miles and Airbags complaints show 20,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.