2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 29, 2026 · 7 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other CLA 250 years
Not enough data 9th of 14 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. That ranks 9th out of 14 CLA 250 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (2 complaints, 29%). Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

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

Compare with another car

Most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 problems

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

Fuel/propulsion System2
Unknown or Other2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Engine1
Exterior Lighting1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Power Train1
Suspension1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Fuel/propulsion System229%———
Unknown or Other229%———
Vehicle Speed Control229%———
Engine114%———
Exterior Lighting114%———
Forward Collision Avoidance114%———
Power Train114%———
Suspension114%———

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2024, with 3 complaints
2022: 1202212024: 3202432025: 1202512026: 220262

n = 7 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 recalls (5)

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

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:lockJul 24, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V481000 · 310,667 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.

Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.

Electrical system:software; communication: auto crash notificationMay 20, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V365000 · 242,722 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera; electrical system:softwareMay 14, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V354000 · 343,191 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.

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.

Child seat:vehicle latch anchorJan 29, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V034000 · 231 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 A220, A35 AMG, and CLA250 vehicles. The child seat anchoring system (ISOFIX) may be missing the right-side anchoring bar from the ISOFIX bracket on the right-rear seat.

Risk: If the anchoring bar is missing from the ISOFIX bracket, the child restraint cannot be properly secured to the seat using the ISOFIX securing system, increasing the risk of injury for a child in that seat.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right-rear ISOFIX bracket and replace the bracket, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020004.

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.

Recent owner reports

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

Vehicle would unexpectedly stall out while driving at slow speeds or stopped. Car was brought to an independent car shop and it was determined the Fuel pump had started to come apart sending debris into the fuel tank/system causing low fuel pressure. The fuel tank with fuel level sensor and suction…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Aug 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11760635

My 2021 CLA 250 that I reached purchased as a used vehicle in the last three months and now is saying SOS unresponsive so in my vehicle where to get a motor vehicle accident, it will not be alerting any emergency personnel authorities and I think it’s really sad the whole fact that Mercedes-Benz…

Unknown or Other · received Aug 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11759720

the seal around my driver side rear light is not sealed correctly there is water precipitation in my lamp

Exterior Lighting · received Mar 19, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11649297

On Friday, September 27, around 12 pm, while driving on i880S near Union City, California, something horrific happened. The sunroof of my 2021 Mercedes CLA 250, with just 49,000 miles, suddenly exploded without any warning. The sound was so loud and violent, it felt like a gunshot. I was…

Unknown or Other · received Oct 1, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11617574

Our car has lost power to accelerate on 4 occasions on the highway. The first instance was in October of 2023, the second instance was in November of 2024 (and was brought immediately to the dealership and they said the fix wasn't available yet), the third instance was in March of 2024 and the most…

Vehicle Speed Control · received Jun 17, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11594916

Other Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 years

← 2020 CLA 250 · 2022 CLA 250 →

See all Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250?

Owners most often report fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other, vehicle speed control problems. The top one, fuel/propulsion system, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CLA 250 model years, the 2021 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.