2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the CLA250 at the same age

Owners have filed 61 complaints about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.8× as many as a typical CLA250 model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (15 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles). 7 recalls cover this model year.

61complaints
7recalls
5crashes
0fires
4injuries
0deaths

Most common 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 problems

  • Other / not specified~27,000 miles
    1728%
  • Engine & cooling~38,000 miles
    1525%
  • Air bags~39,000 miles
    813%
  • Body & structure~46,000 miles
    711%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~61,000 miles
    610%
  • Electrical system~66,000 miles
    610%
  • Brakes~36,000 miles
    47%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~62,000 miles
    47%
  • Speed control & acceleration~36,000 miles
    35%
  • Suspension~55,000 miles
    35%
  • Stability & traction control~39,000 miles
    23%
  • Wheels & tires~27,000 miles
    23%
  • Driver assistance
    23%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    23%
  • Seat belts~24,000 miles
    12%
  • Locks & latches~94,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 61 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 →

2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 recalls (7)

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.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 19V-892 · Dec 16, 2019 · 129 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2018 CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC, and 2017-2018 CLA45 AMG vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

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.

Show 1 more recall

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 15V-662 · Oct 16, 2015 · 857 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, and 2016 SLK300 roadster vehicles manufactured July 17, 2015, to August 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have intake or exhaust camshafts whose welds may fail and possibly cause engine damage.

Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected camshafts, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 9, 2015. The recall began on December 23, 2015.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2015 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 owners say

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously involved in a collision, in which another vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of the vehicle, causing damage to the frame and headlights; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained soreness in the neck and back and received medical assistance. A police report was filed, but the contact did not have the police report information available. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V662000(Engine and Engine Cooling). …

80,000 miles · Jul 2023 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer and the vehicle starting very rather slowly. The vehicle was diagnosed however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the vehicle operated normally; however, the following day while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to lose automotive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the highway until the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was inspected by two independent mechanics however, the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

124,000 miles · Oct 2024

Air bags

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously involved in a collision, in which another vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of the vehicle, causing damage to the frame and headlights; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained soreness in the neck and back and received medical assistance. A police report was filed, but the contact did not have the police report information available. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V662000(Engine and Engine Cooling). …

80,000 miles · Jul 2023 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact noticed a construction site on the side of the road and a wooden light pole in the middle of the road. The vehicle began to skid due to wet pavement and crashed head on into the light pole. The frontal air bags did not deploy. The supplemental restraint system warning indicator illuminated after the crash. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, head, and back and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The contact was kept at the hospital for three days and released. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (greenwich Mercedes-Benz, 261 west putnam avenue, greenwich, connecticut 06830). The vehicle was then towed to a collision center for repairs. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …

30,000 miles · May 2018 · crash · 1 injury

Body & structure

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, she heard wind entering the vehicle and became aware that the sunroof had started to detach from the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the recall and provided the same information as the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

76,000 miles · Jun 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact arrived at his destination and became aware that the roof panel had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was confirmed that the adhesive used to hold the glass panel was insufficient. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a loaner vehicle and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

25,000 miles · Aug 2023

2015 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 a good car?

Based on 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 CLA250 rates use caution: 1.8× 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

The engine & cooling — 15 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (8) and body & structure (7).

How many recalls does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 have?

There are 7 recalls for the 2015 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 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 62% 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.