2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 4, 2025 · 61 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other CLA250 years
Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 14 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. That ranks 3rd out of 14 CLA250 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (17 complaints, 28%), typically at around 26,848 miles. Complaints mention 5 crashes, 4 injuries. 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.

Compare with another car

Most common 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 problems

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

Unknown or Other17 · ~26,848 mi
Engine14 · ~34,046 mi
Air Bags8 · ~34,500 mi
Structure7 · ~35,500 mi
Electrical System6 · ~66,000 mi
Power Train6 · ~61,000 mi
Service Brakes4 · ~36,107 mi
Visibility4 · ~47,305 mi
Suspension3 · ~44,100 mi
Vehicle Speed Control3 · ~24,054 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Unknown or Other1728%26,848——
Engine1423%34,046——
Air Bags813%34,500——
Structure711%35,500——
Electrical System610%66,000——
Power Train610%61,000——
Service Brakes47%36,107——
Visibility47%47,305——
Suspension35%44,100——
Vehicle Speed Control35%24,054——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)23%39,000——
Fuel/propulsion System23%———
Back Over Prevention12%———
Engine and Engine Cooling12%80,000——
Forward Collision Avoidance12%———
Latches/locks/linkages12%94,000——
Seat Belts12%24,000——
Tires12%———
Wheels12%26,696——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 13 complaints
2015: 1201512016: 2201622017: 4201742018: 8201882019: 3201932020: 132020132021: 8202182022: 2202222023: 4202342024: 102024102025: 620256

n = 61 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 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.

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.

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.

CommunicationNov 1, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

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.

Electrical system:starter assembly; engine and engine cooling:engineFeb 23, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V114000 · 307,629 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 C300 4Matic, C300, CLA250, CLA250 4Matic and CLA45 AMG vehicles, 2017 C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 4Matic Wagon, E43 AMG 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic Coupe vehicles and 2016 C350e and GLC300 vehicles and 2016-2017 C450 4Matic AMG Sport and GLC300 4Matic vehicles. In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle.

Risk: If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2017080002.

Engine and engine cooling:engineOct 16, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V662000 · 857 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, and 2016 SLK300 roadster vehicles manufactured July 17, 2015, to August 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have intake or exhaust camshafts whose welds may fail and possibly cause engine damage.

Risk: Engine damage may result in a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected camshafts, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 9, 2015. The recall began on December 23, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes-Benz's number for this recall is 2015100006.

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.

UNKNOWN- The check engine light came on and was taken for a diagnostic test and it returned a P052E code. This indicates a fault in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve performance. This is a known issue with Mercedes Benz as there has been a recall for all the models except the CLA.

Unknown or Other · received Oct 4, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11691411

I was driving to work on Thursday, September 11th. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise like an explosion. Upon checking, I saw that my sunroof had exploded, shattering glass everywhere. The loud noise startled me, causing me to almost have an accident. I managed to pull over, check my vehicle, and drive…

Unknown or Other · received Sep 15, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11687298

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously involved in a collision, in which another vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of the vehicle, causing damage to the frame and…

Air Bags · received Jul 24, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11675817

Check Engine Light - Code P052E71 - Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve Performance. The component failure can lead to increased exhaust gas emission, oil leaks, and internal engine damage resulting in unsafe operation. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by an independent certified service…

Engine · received Jul 22, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11675411

Mercedes subframes that prematurely rust or deteriorate. Mercedes has extended warranty for the mentioned parts on some models. But clearly it is not enough because more models have the same issues. This is a serious safety issues and Mercedes should have taken more responsibility.

Suspension · received Feb 27, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11645299

Other Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years

← 2014 CLA250 · 2016 CLA250 →

See all Mercedes-Benz CLA250 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

Owners most often report unknown or other, engine, air bags problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 17 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

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

Was the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CLA250 model years, the 2015 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.