2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 ranks 4th worst of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 77, 40 complaints, and 9 recall campaigns. NHTSA data give it an Avoid verdict relative to other Cla250 years, led by electrical system problems.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 77/100
- #4 of 14 Cla250 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 40
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System10 (25%)
- Other9 (23%)
- Airbags8 (20%)
- Structure & Body7 (18%)
- Engine6 (15%)
- Fuel System3 (8%)
- Steering2 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)
- Lane Departure1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the car unexpectedly shifting itself into neutral at highway speed while dashboard warnings read 'service required' and 'do not shift gears.'
- Some report the engine stalling or shutting down unexpectedly while driving.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a rear-end crash that led to a secondary collision.
- Owners describe passenger and rear seats failing to lock in place, triggering repeated warning messages.
- Some report cracked rims and slow air loss from tires, along with ticking and knocking noises traced to faulty control arms.
- Backup cameras reportedly stopped working with no recall coverage offered for the issue.
2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 21V197000Mar 19, 2021Structure & Body15,096 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
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.
Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 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.
2018 compared with other Cla250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Cla250 ranks 4th worst among 14 model years, with a complaint index of 77 and an Avoid verdict relative to other years of the same model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Cla250?
- NHTSA complaints are led by the electrical system (25% of complaints), followed by airbags (20%) and structure & body issues (18%).
- Does the 2018 Cla250 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2018 Cla250, covering areas including electrical system communication modules, airbag occupant classification, and structure & body panels.
- How does the 2018 Cla250 compare to other years?
- The 2014 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, while 2013 has the lowest at 15 and carries a Best verdict; the 2018 sits closer to the higher end at 77.
- What mileage do 2018 Cla250 problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data show a median mileage at failure of 27,000 miles overall, though electrical system complaints median around 3,274 miles and engine complaints median around 118,000 miles.