2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Problems & Complaints

Avoid5.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the CLA250 at the same age

Owners have filed 179 complaints about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 5.5× as many as a typical CLA250 model year at the same age, which makes the 2014 one of the CLA250 years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (68 complaints, typically around 14,000 miles). 6 recalls cover this model year.

179complaints
6recalls
5crashes
3fires
6injuries
0deaths

Most common 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 problems

  • Engine & cooling~14,000 miles
    6838%
  • Electrical system~15,000 miles
    4425%
  • 3620%
  • 2112%
  • Other / not specified~49,000 miles
    2112%
  • 2011%
  • Body & structure~95,000 miles
    116%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~13,000 miles
    116%
  • Air bags~65,000 miles
    116%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~0 miles
    95%
  • Wheels & tires~15,000 miles
    95%
  • Steering~16,000 miles
    84%
  • Brakes~5,000 miles
    63%
  • Equipment & accessories~8,000 miles
    21%
  • Seats~94,000 miles
    21%
  • Seat belts
    11%
  • Driver assistance~59,000 miles
    11%

Share of the 179 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz CLA250 complaints by model year

201220132014201520162017201820192020202120237917961662841232176
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz CLA250. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best CLA250 years: 2012, 2013, 2021. Years to avoid: 2014, 2016, 2015. Compare all years →

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 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.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 16V-901 · Dec 14, 2016 · 10 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2014 CLA250 vehicles manufactured December 14, 2012, to April 24, 2013 equipped with gasoline engines. The affected vehicles have a fitting that connects the vacuum line to the brake booster which may break causing increased forced to be needed to apply the brakes.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector end fitting at the brake booster, free of charge. The recall began July 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 15V-426 · Jul 6, 2015 · 43 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2014 CLA 250C vehicles manufactured September 10, 2014, to September 11, 2014, 2014 CLA 250C 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 13, 2014, to September 25, 2014, and 2014 CLA 45 AMG 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 10, 2014, to September 25, 2014.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the position and orientation of the fuses, and if necessary, replace the fuse box, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250:

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.

What 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 owners say

Engine & cooling all 68 →

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that when the vehicle stalled, an audible chime sounded, and the air bag warning light illuminated, and a RED triangle symbol flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the instrument cluster went blank, and the vehicle lost power steering assist. Additionally, the brake pedal was very difficult to depress. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and the vehicle had not taken back to the dealer. …

77,000 miles · Sep 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she discovered that the driver's side window was shattered. The sunroof was brown, and there was a hole in the dashboard showing the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught fire; however, the fire extinguished on its own. There were no prior warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or police report filed. The fire department responded and was present at the scene, and disconnected several wires. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Mar 2026 · fire

Electrical system all 44 →

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that when the vehicle stalled, an audible chime sounded, and the air bag warning light illuminated, and a RED triangle symbol flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the instrument cluster went blank, and the vehicle lost power steering assist. Additionally, the brake pedal was very difficult to depress. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts, and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and the vehicle had not taken back to the dealer. …

77,000 miles · Sep 2024

As I was driving yesterday afternoon, I heard a noise and normally we don't hear any type of noise or air coming into the car. I decided to open the sunroof to see if there was something wrong with it like if it was stuck open or if something was stuck in it, and the whole sunroof almost flew off the car. I had to pull over as fast as I could into the break down lane and it took me a while to close it and it still seems to be open, I didn't see anything stuck in the guide rails or in the area when closing it. I was very scared for the safety of my children and myself and for the other drivers on the highway. I have made an appointment so the shop and check the car out and run some diagnostics. There are no warning lights or messages prior to the sunroof almost flying off the car.

Jan 2024

Speed control & acceleration all 36 →

Apparently the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) which is built into the gas pedal on this 2014 MB CLA250 only lasts so long before it becomes defective under highway conditions and causes the vehicle to go into LIMP MODE. When full acceleration is necessary, the unit will work for perhaps a few months or less, and then continue to fail worse and more frequently with each attempt at full acceleration. At highway speeds, this is an essential feature in a 4-cylinder vehicle such as this one and without the necessary acceleration capability, can expose the driver to serious risk of collision with other on-coming vehicles traveling at highway speeds. …

Mar 2024

Purchased a Mercedes cla 250c, and have had it became inoperative while driving on the beltway in washington d.c. Traffic, and more recently on the I-5 in san diego on 1/21/2017 during rain at speeds of 60+ MPH in heavy traffic. The vehicle decelerated quickly and lost speed. The console popped up flashing message 'pre-safe functions limited' on the console. The vehicle did not respond to accelerator. After coasting to the right shoulder I was hit, by a passing car, and the motorist kept on going.this had happened about 10 time, and I bought the vehicle new. Mercedes aware, yet they would not do anything because they said if the engine light is not on we cant diagnose it.

20,000 miles · Jan 2017 · crash · 1 injury

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo7-speed dual-clutchFWD26 / 37 / 30

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 a good car?

Based on 179 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 CLA250 rates avoid: 5.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the CLA250 at the same age. It is one of the CLA250 years we suggest avoiding. 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 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

The engine & cooling — 68 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (44) and speed control & acceleration (36).

How many recalls does the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 have?

There are 6 recalls for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, 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 CLA250?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2016 and 2015. See the full Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 18,000 miles; 79% 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.