Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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.
My sister was driving across town and came across some uneven payment near a construction zone. She hit a small-medium sized pothole and it somehow triggered both the front and rear passenger airbags to deploy. There was no damage significant impact when it happened and no damage to the exterior of the car (tire, wheel, fender). It happened today (Saturday) so it was taken to a local independent repair facility. Will know more Monday. Parts available for inspection upon request, of course.
As I was driving, the car is on D but it slips into N and I cannot shift to any other gear accept P. This happens randomly and happened three times. I noticed the GLA250 also had this issue. I have to turn off my engine and restart my car to get it running again normally.
The shifter randomly stops working so I could have the car in reverse and not be able to put it in drive and be stuck in traffic or vice versa. I can have the car and drive and not be able to put it in reverse. I'd be stuck in traffic very dangerous.
I just got the vehicle it's losing power already, I was driving up a hill as a school bus was behind me, and my car started losing power and rolling back. I have a transmission issue they sold it this way also electrical.
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.
I was getting off work and I was about to get out of the garage and I drove for about 100 yards and I get the check engine light on, power terain light on saying disabled and on the dashboard it said inoperative see operators manual and also pre_safe functions limited. It was going back and forth between these two. When I was driving going about 5mph, the car would speed up by itself without me touching the gas pedal, then it would slow down and speed up again. It was like I was learning to driving stick shift, stop and go, except the car was doing it by itself. Then I parked the car, and the arrow in tachometer was going up and down. It would go to 1.5 and then drop to .5 every second or so. Then I stepped on the gas and floored it while I had it on park and it did nothing. I shut it off and started it again to see maybe it would get fixed but it didn't. …
My class c 250 2014 vehicle. Diving long distances on the interstate started hearing loud static over the speaker system. The radio was not on. The noise turned into a loud screeching/ static noise from speakers with an electrical burning smell filling the car's cabin. I pulled off-highway, turned the car off, the noise/ burning smell did not stop. I let the car sit for about 1 hour. After the car was turned off for 1 hour, the noise /burning smell stopped. This has become an ongoing issue; I have taken my car to the Mercedes dealership. They have stated it could be the "star service" electrical problem, but no guarantees; in my complaint, there were no rectifying of on issue. My fear is electrical fire, while traveling. I commute by interstate daily.
While traveling at 50mph down a busy street during my morning rush hour commute, the vehicle cut off all power and went into "pre-safe mode" which is commonly known as "limp home mode." when this happens, the driver has no ability to accelerate and if the driver is unable to pull over in a safe area, puts them at extremely high risk of serious accident. This is a common problem with many Mercedes Benz vehicles that are equipped with ESP (traction control). A simple google search of this issue will validate this as a widespread major design flaw in Mercedes Benz products. Please take the time to look into this extremely dangerous problem, as many other Mercedes owners have experience this in more dangerous circumstances (on the highway).
Electrical complaints in other CLA250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, 25% of the model year's 179 complaints. The component named most often is software (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 79% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.