2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 Problems & Complaints

Few complaints40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the AMG CLA45 at the same age

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. The most reported problem area is the steering (1 complaint, typically around 10,000 miles). 6 recalls cover this model year.

1complaints
6recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 problems

  • Steering~10,000 miles
    1100%

Share of the 1 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 complaints by model year

20142015201620172018201920202021163161
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best AMG CLA45 years: 2017, 2019, 2020. Compare all years →

2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 recalls (6)

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

NHTSA recall 23V-854 · Dec 15, 2023 · 2,976 vehicles

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…

Remedy: 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.

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

NHTSA recall 21V-197 · Mar 19, 2021 · 15,096 vehicles

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…

Remedy: 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.

Communication

NHTSA recall 19V-787 · Nov 1, 2019 · 24,226 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 17V-627 · Oct 6, 2017 · 495,290 vehicles

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…

Remedy: 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

NHTSA recall 17V-114 · Feb 23, 2017 · 307,629 vehicles

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…

Remedy: 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.

Power train › Clutch assembly

NHTSA recall 16V-335 · May 23, 2016 · 1 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling one 2016 CLA45 AMG vehicle manufactured November 10, 2015. This vehicle is equipped with a dual clutch transmission that may have a defective weld between the dual clutch disk and hub. This weld may crack and result in a loss of power to the wheels, causing the vehicle to stop.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify the owner, and a dealers will replace the dual clutch, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45:

Front Roof Panel Detachment

NHTSA investigation PE21001 · opened Jan 8, 2021 · closed Oct 14, 2021 · led to recall 21V-197

On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the…

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo7-speed dual-clutch4WD23 / 30 / 26

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 a good car?

Based on 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA, the 2016 AMG CLA45 rates few complaints: 40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the AMG CLA45 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45?

The steering — 1 complaint, 100% of all complaints for this model year.

How many recalls does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 have?

There are 6 recalls for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45, the most recent from December 15, 2023 (roof and pillars). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2019 and 2020. See the full Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 10,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.