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Mercedes-Benz CLA.

The best Mercedes-Benz CLA years are 2015, 2018, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014. Across 2014-2021, it has a Lemon Index of 112, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.

Reliability by year, 2014 to 2018.

112Lemon Index · 100 = average car

About average. Whole model, 2014-2021: 1.1× the average car's complaints.

Best year 2015 · Worst year 2014

Mercedes-Benz CLA
Photo shows a 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA. Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.

20142242.2× the complaints2015482.1× fewer complaints2016781.3× fewer complaints2017641.6× fewer complaints2018571.8× fewer complaints

Best years to buy

2015.

2015482.1× fewer complaints than average2018571.8× fewer complaints than average2017641.6× fewer complaints than average

Years to avoid

2014.

20142242.2× the average car's complaints

Quick answers.

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA a good car?

It is about average, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2014-2021: Lemon Index 112; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2015 and the worst is 2014.

What are the best Mercedes-Benz CLA years to buy?

By owner complaints per car sold: 2015, 2018, 2017.

What Mercedes-Benz CLA years should you stay away from?

The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2014.

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz CLA have?

40 safety recalls across the 5 model years we track. Most: 2017 (10), 2018 (9), 2016 (8). Each year's page lists them.

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz CLA problems?

Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, electrical and speed control most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.

Every year in one table
YearIndexCompared with averageComplaintsTop complaintRecallsCrash testMPG
20142242.2× the average car's complaints103engine (41%)6—27–30
2015482.1× fewer complaints than average16engine (31%)7—27–30
2016781.3× fewer complaints than average21airbags (33%)8—27–30
2017641.6× fewer complaints than average15electrical (33%)10—27–29
2018571.8× fewer complaints than average13electrical (38%)9—27–29

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works

Mercedes-Benz CLA transmission problems by year →

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data