The Lemon Index
2014Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,113 in the U.S. in 2013 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 1 complaint in its first 3 years.
1 owner complaint, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 BMW 3 Series 682013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 392013 Cadillac CTS 84
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mercedes-Benz's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 1 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every Mercedes-Benz CLA year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Mercedes-Benz CLA (2011–2015) name most: P052E Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance. Look up any code →
In owners' words
Pre safe functions limited error message repeatedly comes on and loses acceleration.
2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA owner · NHTSA complaint 10825922
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mercedes-Benz CLA recall, all years · All Mercedes-Benz recalls
Every Mercedes-Benz CLA year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Mercedes-Benz CLA years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mercedes-benz-cla/?y=2013" title="Mercedes-Benz CLA reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mercedes-benz-cla/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,113 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (100%) and stability control (100%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
What Mercedes-Benz CLA year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works