The Lemon Index
2020Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 6,822 in the U.S. in 2021 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 27–29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 BMW 3 Series 172021 Audi A42021 Acura TLX 119
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 26V481000 (latches/locks/linkages), 22V365000 (electrical) and 22V232000 (back over prevention) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
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 5 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? Look up any code →
Recalls 5
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2022
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
Show all 5 recalls
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2021
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- 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 FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 4 DR 4WD | 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. 2021 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 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mercedes-benz-cla/?y=2021" 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/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?
We can't score it: only 6,822 were sold in the U.S. in 2021 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (40%), suspension (20%) and fuel system (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA have?
5 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA get?
27 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz CLA year is better than the 2021?
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