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).
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.
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).
See uploaded document protected auto issues for full story. Hennessy Buick, Mazda, GMC sold me a car 8/18/2017 unknowingly I discovered on 2/5/2019 that it had an illegal can blocker/switch (manipulates computer systems in car and tampers true mileage on car) installed in ignition switch. After obtaining emissions test 12/26/2018, several car failures began to happen while stationary at testing center. While in motion that day, several lights began to stop working. In January 2019, while driving the power steering failed causing me to be unsafe as I could not brake, gas or turn wheel. The block affected all items above, excluding wheels & visibility,but due to limitations I was only able to select 3
My car suddenly slowed and I lost power while driving on 95 at approximately 20-30 MPH in slow heavy traffic to work this morning. I could hardly accelerate and only slowly... I had messages that said "pre-safe functions inoperative. See operator's manual", and the ESC light came on. Drivers behind me started passing me despite me already going slowly due to all the traffic--I had no where to pull over and crawled into the parking ramp at work. I could have been rear-ended this morning. I have no idea what will happen when I restart the car today. This needs to be taken care of by Mercedes--do a recall and fix this issue!
Vehicle's transmission & throttle response is jerky & unpredictable. Rotors went bad at 5,000 miles, beginning to go bad again at 12,000. Numerous unknown interior rattles.windshield wiper completely flew off vehicle while driving in heavy rain - visibility instantly reduced to near-zero. On two occasions, the car displayed "pre-safe functions limited/ESP inop" message followed by engine immediately losing power on freeway, which could have ended very badly. Not only is this vehicle of poor quality, it is becoming increasingly dangerous to drive. Seriously considering pursuing state lemon law.
Tl contact owns a 2014 Mercedes Benz cla 250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the ESP and pre-safe function warning lights illuminated as the vehicle decelerated. The accelerator failed to respond. The contact had to maneuver to the side of the road and after approximately 10 minutes the vehicle restarted normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the front radar sensor was damaged and needed replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 13,334.
Inoperative pre safe fucntions limited. Vehicle loses power and becomes inoperative without any issue. This has happened multiple times when the vehicle was in motion. It is a potential accident risk of getting rear ended. The vehicle loses power as soon as the message appears and does not give enough time to pull over especially when going on highway with lots of cars and hardly any gap to pull over shoulder. This has happened on a clear straight road and on highways at 55-60 miles an hour. I am submitting the date of latest occurrence of the incident in this report.
What is the problem-pre safe malfunction error when does it happen-while driving is it predictable-no is it safe-no why-the car suddenly loses acceleration ,when the pre-safe error comes on. Scenario-driving a cla 250 at 60 MPH on a motorway on a quiet road in front of a truck.... Pre-safe malfunction kicks in the car slows down and loses accln. The truck driver cannot predict this behavior a this is not a normal pattern to slow down suddenly from 60mph on a quiet freeway. Very very dangerous.
Pre safe functions limited light and inoperative traction control light comes on car immediately loses 50 percent power and will not accelarate. 15 times in a 1yr period. Dealer doesn't see a problem..today for the 5th time I was nearly hit by an oncoming vehicle. Two weeks ago problem occured while I was in a funeral procession going through an intersection the vehicle behind me had to swerve to avoid a rear end collision..I do not feel safe driving a car I paid 50,000 for..
While driving at normal street speed "collision prevention assist inoperative" displayed and car would not accelerate. I was in traffic, but was able to exit and pull over and park, turned car off, & back on. Display reset and car normal. Took to dealership immediately-repair was "non connecting pins". Too early to tell if this solves. Upon investigation, this is a common issue with 2014 mb and I want to document this extremely dangerous performance.
Traction Control complaints in other CLA250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, 12% of the model year's 179 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 83% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to stability & traction control 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.