The Lemon Index
20182020Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 12,400 in the U.S. in 2019 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 6 complaints in its first 3 years.
6 owner complaints, first 3 years 27–29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 BMW 3 Series 132019 Audi A4 172019 Lexus IS
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
- Were recalls 23V854000 (body structure), 22V365000 (electrical) and 21V197000 (body structure) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records. (6 owners named a engine repair bill; the middle one was $2,500.)
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 6 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 (2017–2021) name most: P052E Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance. Look up any code →
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2014–2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA, in U.S. dollars.
- Engineone repair bill$2,000–$3,000middle $2,500 · 6 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11593273, 11589101, 11589107
Not enough reports yet for a number: 4x4 & axles (2), Airbags (2), Doors, locks & windows (2), Electrical (2), Exhaust & emissions (1), Fuel system (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 35.7M views · 2014–2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Prices people quote
- Price when new$32,00017 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service440K views
2019 Mercedes CLA250 How to Reset Service / Maintenance ReminderOil Light Reset · 166K views · 4 videos - Cooling system154K views
HOW TO REPLACE COOLANT THERMOSTAT FOR MERCEDES A250 GLA250 CLA250 (W117) (2014-2020) & INFINITI QX30All About Cars - Basics · 154K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical116K views
2015 Mercedez CLA 250 alternator replacedBackOnRoadSolutions · 42K views · 3 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door103K views
Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Cabin Air Filter Replacement ( 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 )Undercar Experts · 103K views
Show 3 more
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x468K views
2014 Mercedes CLA 250 4Matic Rear Differential Noise FixDTech Engineering · 68K views - Brakes & ABS66K views
2013 - 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Rear Brakes Pads And Rotors Replacement How ToGibby's Garage · 66K views - Timing chain & engine61K views
2014 Mercedes CLA250 - DAMA 5500K D3S bulbs Installation DIY Guidehidconceptcom · 61K views
Before you buy, watch
Mercedes Benz CLA C117 Buyer's Guide - Everything you need to know before buying | G PerformanceG Performance · 209K views
My PROBLEMS with the 2018 Mercedes CLA 250 4MATIC #CLA250Vro Teck · 61K views
Review: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMGMatt Maran Motoring · 1.7M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2019 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 5
- Body structure · recall issued 2023
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- Body structure · recall issued 2021
The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunro.
Show all 5 recalls
- Communication · recall issued 2021
On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details.
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
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 4 DR 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$2,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Mercedes-Benz CLA year. 2019 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 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mercedes-benz-cla/?y=2019" 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/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?
We can't score it: only 12,400 were sold in the U.S. in 2019 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are communication (33%), electrical (33%) and steering (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA have?
5 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA get?
27 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $2,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz CLA year is better than the 2019?
Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2015 drew the fewest.
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