2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 18, 2023 · 6 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other AMG CLA45 years
Not enough data 2nd of 10 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. That ranks 2nd out of 10 AMG CLA45 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (3 complaints, 50%), typically at around 7,473 miles. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine3 · ~7,473 mi
Electrical System2
Power Train2 · ~13,000 mi
Unknown or Other2
Communication1
Electronic Stability Control (esc)1 · ~13,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine350%7,473——
Electrical System233%———
Power Train233%13,000——
Unknown or Other233%———
Communication117%———
Electronic Stability Control (esc)117%13,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2021, with 3 complaints
2017: 1201712018: 1201812020: 1202012021: 320213

n = 6 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 recalls (7)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Structure:body:roof and pillarsDec 15, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V854000 · 2,976 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.

Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.

Steering:gear box:shaft sectorApr 1, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V229000 · 4,992 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 B250e, CLA250, 2017-2018 AMG CLA45, GLA250, and AMG GLA45 vehicles. The steering shaft bore hole for the universal joint bearing may allow excessive movement that, over time, could result in the separation of the bearing and universal joint.

Risk: A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060001.

Structure:body:roof and pillarsMar 19, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V197000 · 15,096 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.

Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Communication: auto crash notification; electrical system:softwareFeb 5, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V058000 · 1,292,258 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classificationDec 16, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V892000 · 129 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2018 CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC, and 2017-2018 CLA45 AMG vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag.

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the air bag does not deploy as designed, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of an injury.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060012.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classificationAug 3, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V514000 · 86 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, and CLA45 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in the front seat.

Risk: If a child seat is in the front seat and the passenger air bag is not deactivated, in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began January 2, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018120001.

Air bags:frontalOct 6, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V627000 · 495,290 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.

Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
  • Front Roof Panel Detachment (PE21001) — opened Jan 8, 2021, closed Oct 14, 2021, led to recall 21V197000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Regarding 2018 CLA 45 AMG: On 9-21-21, while I was driving approximately 45 MPH on a 4 lane road, suddenly the car completely shut down. A message simultaneously popped up that the car was disabled and instructed me to look up in manual. Immediately I turned right into the first driveway where the…

Engine · received Oct 12, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11436430

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue however, the contact was informed that the part…

Communication · received Sep 15, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11433044

Manufacturer has not fixed the outstanding software safety recall in a timely fashion. I have contacted them over 10 times and no one has any idea when the software update will be sent and there is no one they can escalate the issue to. I use the car for work, but I am not allowed to use a car with…

Unknown or Other · received Aug 2, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11427487

We were advised mercedes-benz is issuing a recall due to mold existing in the factory hvac system from a law firm mailer. When contacting mercedes-benz, they stated they are of the problem and told us a recall would be taking place around january 2021. We bought this vehicle new in october 2018 and…

Unknown or Other · received Dec 2, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11377556

Accelerating out of a left turn, the car hesitated momentarily then the engine completely shut down in traffic. The dash indicated that the car had become inoperative, possibly due to the electronic stability program (esp) issue.

Electronic Stability Control (esc) · received Nov 5, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11149454

Other Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 years

← 2017 AMG CLA45 · 2019 AMG CLA45 →

See all Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45?

Owners most often report engine, electrical system, power train problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 3 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45?

Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other AMG CLA45 model years, the 2018 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.