2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class reliability
NHTSA's file on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class holds 46 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most CLA-Class years here — under the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
46
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0
9
The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (12 of 46), then Engine (9) and Air bags (8). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 2 that report an injury.
The 2017 CLA-Class has 27 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2019 has 52 complaints, 2 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (46 total)
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2
1
2
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Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"Panel flew off on the highway it was terrifying."
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"After a hard impact car continued to go then when came to a stop the air bags deployed which resulted in injuring my left arm"
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"The instrument cluster gauges start giving in accurate information and the whole dash start turning on and off. I found hundreds of people posting complaints about this issue with the 2018 mercedes cla 250 but mercedes…"
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"Water coming into the car through the floor"
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"Corrosion of the fuel system (on a Flex Fuel rated vehicle that had used E85 blend regularly) causing sudden loss of power, misfires, lack of acceleration The vehicle experience sudden loss of power, multiple misfires,…"
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 4 DR 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 4 DR FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
For 2015 CLA250 vehicles, NHTSA campaign 19V-892 covers certain 2015-2018 CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC vehicles (with CLA45 AMG): the Occupant Classification System may be improperly calibrated and prevent passenger air-bag deployment; dealers replace the passenger seat cushion. Campaign 17V-627 covers certain 2014-2018 CLA250 vehicles among other Mercedes models for insufficient steering grounding that can allow inadvertent driver air-bag deployment; dealers add grounding. Confirm open campaigns by VIN under trim strings such as CLA250.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class reliable?
NHTSA's file on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class holds 46 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most CLA-Class years here — under the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (12 of 46), then Engine (9) and Air bags (8). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 2 that report an injury.
Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2017 CLA-Class has 27 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2019 has 52 complaints, 2 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.
Has the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class with NHTSA.
What oil does a Mercedes-Benz CLA take?
0W-40 / 5W-30 MB-approved viscosities are common for CLA250 fills on C117 and C118 — confirm the engine sticker.
What does NHTSA campaign 19V-892 cover on early CLA250?
Certain 2015-2018 CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC vehicles (with CLA45 AMG): the Occupant Classification System may be improperly calibrated and prevent passenger air-bag deployment; dealers replace the passenger seat cushion.
When did the C118 CLA generation start?
Model year 2020 on this site (after C117 2014-2019).