The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control is the largest identified problem area: 3 of 9 complaints (33%) mention it. 4 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more crash reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 25 in 2020 to 9 in 2021.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 9
- Recall campaigns
- 6
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,650–$3,350
- Combined MPG
- 23–29
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,650–3,000 | 2,750–3,350 | 2,650–3,350 | 2,650–3,350 | 2,650–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–29 | 23–28 | 23–29 | 23–29 | 23–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–24 / 30–37 | 20–25 / 29–35 | 20–25 / 29–35 | 20–25 / 28–36 | 20–25 / 28–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 310–348 | 310–382 | 306–390 | 309–392 | 309–388 | |
| Complaints filed | 23 | 25 | 9 | 4 | 6 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class get?
EPA rates it 23–29 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
EPA estimates $2,650–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 22 mpg | 29 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 360 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,850 | 324 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,650 (low) | 306 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM8) | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 390 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.
- Consequence
- A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
- Consequence
- A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence
- An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Defect
- 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. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence
- A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- 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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
- Consequence
- Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
CHILD SEAT; CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 A220, A35 AMG, and CLA250 vehicles. The child seat anchoring system (ISOFIX) may be missing the right-side anchoring bar from the ISOFIX bracket on the right-rear seat.
- Consequence
- If the anchoring bar is missing from the ISOFIX bracket, the child restraint cannot be properly secured to the seat using the ISOFIX securing system, increasing the risk of injury for a child in that seat.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right-rear ISOFIX bracket and replace the bracket, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020004.