YearToAvoid

2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

38/100

#9 most-complained of 14 Cla250 years

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

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 has a Complaint Index of 38 and ranks 9th worst out of 14 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other Cla250 years. It has 7 complaints and 5 recalls, with Engine and Fuel System each accounting for 29% of reported problems.

Complaints
7
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
28
24.5 city / 34 hwy

Top 2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 problems

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

  1. Engine2 (29%)
  2. Fuel System2 (29%)
  3. Other2 (29%)
  4. Electrical System1 (14%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (14%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (14%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain1 (14%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle losing power to accelerate while driving on the highway, occurring on multiple separate occasions.
  • Some drivers describe the car stalling unexpectedly at slow speeds or while stopped, later traced to a fuel pump breaking apart and sending debris into the fuel system.
  • One owner reported water collecting inside a rear tail light due to a seal that was not fitted correctly.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2022Mar 2024Jun 2024Oct 2024Mar 2025Aug 2026
10 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2022 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2026 (3).

2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 recalls

5 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 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 21V354000May 14, 2021Electrical System343,191 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Electrical system:software

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.

See all 5 recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 →

2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24.5 MPG
Highway
34 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,850
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.

2021 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
2019Caution6222627
2020Caution54201127.5
2021Good387528
2022No verdict231028
2023Caution696028

All Mercedes-Benz Cla250 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 reliable?
Compared with other Cla250 model years, 2021 ranks 9th worst out of 14 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 38 and a 'Good' verdict. It has 7 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250?
NHTSA data shows Engine and Fuel System issues each make up 29% of reported problems, followed by Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Suspension, and Transmission & Powertrain issues at 14% each.
Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Cla250, covering structure/body door locks, electrical communication module software, multimedia software, and a missing ISOFIX child seat anchor bracket. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2021 Cla250 compare to other bad Cla250 years?
The 2021 model has a Complaint Index of 38, far lower than the worst years like 2014 (100), 2016 (92), and 2015 (85), which are rated 'Avoid'.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Cla250?
EPA rates the 2021 Cla250 at 28 mpg combined (24.5 city / 34 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,850.

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.