Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My back up camera badge located at the trunk has been permanently stuck open for a few months now when I put car in reverse the screen shows my camera for 2 seconds then disappears and goes back to my Home Screen I brought to the dealer and they told me I need a new battery I replaced my battery paid almost 400 dollars and it still doesn't work .
Rear camera works, but the hatch will not close making it difficult to open and close the trunk. I have seen many vehicles in this Family Class with the rear camera in the same condition which leads me to believe that it's not a maintenance issue.
My car randomly caught on fire, it was parked in my apartment garage for a week while I was out of town. I came back to use my car and my car remote wasn't unlocking the car so i unlocked it manually. When I opened the car it wreaked of smoke, the windows were covered in soot, the visors were bubbled up, the passenger seat had a chunk missing. It was investigated by a car shop for My insurance and the car shop Said they felt like the fire started from the wires under the passenger seat. Of course it was deemed a total loss and now I'm out of car. I hadn't even had the car a year.
The cluster panel lights that indicate speed, fuel, brakes, lights, turn signal, engine light, high beams and all other components of safety of car continue to black out altogether or flash on and off continuous while driving. Safety is an issue if your driving and cluster panel blacks out. You do not know the speed your driving at and no turn signals work. The problem was reported to Mercedes and the software was reset. The problem continues to happen while driving and is dangerous on highways as speedometer and turn signals do not work. Gas gage spins from full to empty and brake and engine lights flash on and off or cluster again goes black. There are or have never been warnings. While driving it just happens. This has been happening on and off for a few months. Mercedes does not know the cause.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The instrument cluster display intermittently failed, either showing incorrect information or going completely blank while driving. Yes, the component is still installed in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the display failed, I was unable to view critical information such as vehicle speed, warning lights, and engine performance data. This posed a significant safety risk, especially while navigating traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the issue was reproduced and confirmed by a independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The trunk latch system failed, causing the trunk to open unexpectedly. Yes, the component is available for inspection upon request. 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The trunk opened while driving on [redacted], creating a significant blind spot. This occurred during high traffic conditions and forced me to move to the outer lane, which posed a risk to my safety and the safety of other drivers on the road. 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the problem has been reported by many other owners as well, suggesting a widespread issue. Additionally, Elite Bmers & Benz in Spring, Texas, inspected the car but could not immediately identify the problem. …
My 2016 CLA 250 having multiple electrical and driving issues that are not recalled. I've researched online and found most of these issues are common. 1. Dashboard screen and radio console lights turn off completely. USB connection triggers electrical symptoms. Front and Back seat window control (driver) triggers electrical symptoms and sometimes corrects the problems. Trunk opens by itself while parked and/or stopped at red lights. The instrument cluster has times multiple warning lights turn on and stay on. At times the fuel needle drops completely down as if I have no fuel in the car. The instrument cluster lights stay on after I have turned the car off and locked it as if the system is confused. I have more issues but those are a few to name. I also have video and pictures to prove these things happen randomly then the vehicle can go back to operating normally. …
Check engine light with error code P052E. From my research, this is a very common issue with this engine and one that either has been recalled or is planning to be recalled. According to some online forums for Mercedes Benz, Mercedes is being sued over this problem and has issued an extended warranty on certain models because of how common this problem has become. The list of models needs to be expanded to include other models experiencing the same problem.
Related recalls (4)
Electrical system › Software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
Remedy: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 CLA250, CLA250 4MATIC and CLA35 AMG 4MATIC, 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE350 4MATIC, GLE450 4MATIC, GLS450 4MATIC and GLS580 4MATIC and 2021 GLE53 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG 4MATIC, GLS63 AMG 4MATIC and Maybach GLS600 4MATIC vehicles.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › Software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system › Starter assembly
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz CLA250 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (44), 2018 (10), 2016 (8), 2017 (7) and 2015 (6) model years. Electrical complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz CLA250 electrical problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 21V-354 (software, May 14, 2021); 20V-089 (instrument cluster/panel, Feb 14, 2020); 17V-177 (software, Mar 14, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz CLA250 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles; 74% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the software (1 mentions), followed by the starter assembly (1).
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.