2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
54/100
#7 most-complained of 14 Cla250 years
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 has a Complaint Index of 54 with 20 complaints and 11 recalls, ranking 7th worst of 14 model years. NHTSA lists a Caution verdict, mid-pack among Cla250 years, with Electrical System and Collision Avoidance & Cameras tied as top problem areas.
- Complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24 city / 34 hwy
Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System5 (25%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (25%)
- Other5 (25%)
- Engine4 (20%)
- Fuel System3 (15%)
- Brakes2 (10%)
- Steering2 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (10%)
- Airbags1 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden tire sidewall ruptures at highway speed that led to loss of control and suspension damage.
- Multiple electrical sensors fail intermittently, including airbag, radar, and microphone sensors, sometimes with the engine shutting off while driving.
- The panoramic sunroof has shattered without warning while driving at highway speed, in one case causing injury from glass.
- Front airbags have deployed unexpectedly without any collision, disabling the vehicle and shattering the windshield.
- The check engine light comes on followed by stalling and stuttering during reversing or city driving.
- Some owners report the cylinder head developed a leak at the valve seat, raising concern about sudden engine failure.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V481000Jul 24, 2026Structure & Body310,667 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.
- NHTSA 23V732000Nov 1, 2023Brakes42,742 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A220, 2020 CLA250, GLB250, AMG A35, AMG CLA45, AMG CLA35, and 2021 GLA250 vehicles. The vehicles may not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads. In addition, information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install an inspection gauge and provide supplemental owner's manual information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- 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.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,900
- 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.
2020 compared with other Cla250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Cla250 a Complaint Index of 54 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst out of 14 model years for this model. It is not among the best or worst years but sits in the middle range.
- What are the most common problems on the 2020 Cla250?
- Electrical System and Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues each account for 25% of complaints (5 each), followed by Engine problems at 20% (4 complaints) and Fuel System at 15% (3 complaints).
- Does the 2020 Cla250 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2020 Cla250, covering areas including Electrical System, Brakes, Steering, Fuel System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, and Structure & Body. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2020 Cla250 problems typically show up?
- The overall median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 15,934 miles. Electrical System complaints show a median of 15,000 miles, and Visibility & Wipers complaints show a median of 16,868 miles.
- How does the 2020 Cla250 compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 54 is lower than the worst years like 2014 (100), 2016 (92), and 2015 (85), but higher than better years like 2013 (15) and 2017 (46).