2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
The only complaint filed mentions Driver Assistance & Speed Control.
Complaints filed held steady at 1 in both 2025 and 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2026 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–3,350 | 2,600–3,350 | 2,600–3,350 | 600–700 | |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 23–30 | 23–30 | 23–30 | 109–126 | |
| City / Highway MPG/MPGe | 20–26 / 28–36 | 20–26 / 28–36 | 20–26 / 28–36 | 112–127 / 105–124 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 296–389 | 298–379 | 298–379 | 0 | |
| Complaints filed | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
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 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class get?
EPA rates it 23–30 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 379 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,650 | 311 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 26 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 298 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 361 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Compact Cars | 112 MPGe | 105 MPGe | 109 MPGe | $700 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Compact Cars | 127 MPGe | 124 MPGe | 126 MPGe | $600 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (A2) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Compact Cars | 120 MPGe | 115 MPGe | 118 MPGe | $650 | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (1)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · Campaign 26V278000 · May 4, 2026
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 CLA 350 4MATIC (EV) and CLA 250+ (EV) vehicles. The front passenger seat belt retractor may have been manufactured with a defect that prevents the deactivation of the child seat safety function (Automatic Locking Retractor). As a result, the seat belt may remain in a locked position and cannot be extended.
Consequence: A passenger who is unable to fasten their seat belt is not properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. 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 May 8, 2026.