Mercedes-Benz

CLA-Class (C117)

2014-2019 · Compact Coupe · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.1)
391 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
5 Fire Reports
18 Crash Reports
View all 2 generations of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (3.1)
37 complaints 7.4 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
12
electrical
11
other
9
safety systems
5
transmission
5

Known Issues

Engine Issues (12 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (11 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (5 complaints)
Show 4 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

2.2-I4-Diesel

2.2L 4-cyl
Recommended (4.1)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)

2.1-I4-Diesel

2.1L 4-cyl
Recommended (4.1)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1
suspension
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (117 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (97 complaints)
electrical critical
Safety Systems Issues (49 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Transmission Issues (38 complaints)
transmission critical
Body/Trim Issues (36 complaints)
body critical

Alternatives in Compact Coupe

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class problems?

The 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has accumulated 391 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Electrical System, Safety Systems. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class engine is most reliable?

The 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class was offered with 6 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a good used car?

The 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 391 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class have?

The 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has 391 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

Before buying a used Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Electrical System, Safety Systems, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the CLA-Class have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 391 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-07-24.

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