YearToAvoid

2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 has a complaint index of 69, ranking 5th worst of 14 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. It has 20 complaints, 11 recalls, and a top problem area of Electrical System.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
69/100
#5 of 14 Cla250 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
20
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
11
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
27.5
24 city / 34 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System5 (25%)
  2. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (25%)
  3. Other5 (25%)
  4. Engine4 (20%)
  5. Fuel System3 (15%)
  6. Brakes2 (10%)
  7. Steering2 (10%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (10%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers2 (10%)
  10. Airbags1 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report multiple electrical failures including airbag sensors, distance radar, microphone, ambient lighting, audio, AC, and the engine cutting off randomly, sometimes tied to a defective body control module.
  • Some drivers experienced sudden tire blowouts on both driver-side tires at highway speed, causing loss of control and suspension damage.
  • The panoramic sunroof reportedly shattered while driving at high speed with no warning light, causing minor injuries from glass.
  • Owners describe the engine stuttering or stalling after the check engine light illuminates, particularly when reversing or driving on surface streets after highway use.
  • One owner reported a cylinder head leak at the valve seat that a dealer confirmed needed replacement.
  • Several owners reported delays getting brake recall parts, with the recall repair remaining incomplete for extended periods.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2020Apr 2022Apr 2023Feb 2024Jan 2025Feb 2026
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2020 to Aug 2026; peak Mar 2022 (3).

2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 recalls

11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 11 recalls for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 →

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

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
2018Avoid7740927
2019Caution5422627
2020Caution69201127.5
2021Good387528
2022No verdict231028

All Mercedes-Benz Cla250 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 reliable?
It has a complaint index of 69 and ranks 5th worst out of 14 model years for the Cla250, earning a Caution verdict relative to other years.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Cla250?
NHTSA data shows Electrical System and Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints tied at 25% share each, followed by Engine at 20% and Fuel System at 15%.
Does the 2020 Cla250 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2020 Cla250, covering brakes, electrical system, steering, fuel system, and collision avoidance cameras, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Cla250 should I avoid?
Based on complaint index, the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 Cla250 model years rank worse with Avoid verdicts; the 2020 model falls into the Caution category.
At what mileage do 2020 Cla250 problems typically occur?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 15,934 for the 2020 Cla250 overall, with electrical complaints centered around 15,000 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.