VehicleVerdict

2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 31 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.1 times the median Cla 250 year — the 2020 model ranks #2 of 8 Cla 250 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (5), other (5), and driver assistance (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

31

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other Cla 250 years?

Cla 250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted53 complaints2018: 53 complaints2019: 27 complaints2020: 31 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 7 complaints2024: 5 complaints2025: 3 complaints
Cla 250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cla 250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other516%
Driver Assistance516%
Electrical System516%
Engine310%
Fuel System310%
Visibility & Wipers26%
Brakes26%
Steering26%
Lighting13%
Airbags13%
Suspension13%
Tires & Wheels13%

Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V732000BrakesNovember 1, 2023 · 42,742 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A220, 2020 CLA250, GLB250, AMG A35, AMG CLA45, AMG CLA35, and 2021 GLA250 vehicles. The vehicles may not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads. In addition, information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence

Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install an inspection gauge and provide supplemental owner's manual information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

22V365000OtherMay 20, 2022 · 242,722 units

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.

22V232000Driver AssistanceApril 8, 2022 · 126,443 units

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.

21V989000SteeringDecember 17, 2021 · 1 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling one 2020 CLA250 vehicle. The power supply connection to the electric power steering may have been contaminated with melted adhesive, which can cause the power steering assist to fail while driving.

Consequence

A sudden loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

A dealer will inspect and repair the power supply connection, as necessary, free of charge. The owner notification letter was mailed January 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021120016.

21V961000Fuel SystemDecember 13, 2021 · 139 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.

21V354000Driver AssistanceMay 14, 2021 · 343,191 units

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.

21V072000OtherFebruary 12, 2021 · 67 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.

Consequence

A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.

21V058000OtherFebruary 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 units

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.

20V089000Electrical SystemFebruary 14, 2020 · 2,101 units

Defect

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. The instrument cluster software may deactivate the illumination of certain interior switches (switch bar, overhead control unit, steering wheel) if the hazard lights are turned on and the ignition switch is in the 'off' position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

Consequence

If the interior switches are not illuminated, they may be more difficult to find and operate, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030019.

19V685000AirbagsSeptember 27, 2019 · 2,222 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A 220 and A 220 4MATIC, 2020 CLA 250, CLA 250 4 MATIC, GLC 300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC vehicles. The driver's side front airbag modules may not have been properly bolted down.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's front airbag, the airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver airbag module and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019100001.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 9, 2025

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 9, 2025

Nov 01,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number: 2024010010 NHTSA Recall Number: 23V732 Recall Status: Recall Incomplete The manufacturer has failed and is unable to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle in a timely manner.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 1, 2023

Engine was failed prior to purchase, it is available for inspection. Engine jerks while driving. Dealer changed engine and problem got worse. Vehicle was inspected at Mercedes Benz Manhattan. Engine light keeps coming on and engine oil raises above normal level and warning light comes on and dealer…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 22, 2024

During the manufacturing process, particles was trapped between the fuel and rail injectors, which is causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, increase the risk of a fire.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 11, 2024

2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 — common questions

Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 31 complaints put the 2020 model at #2 of 8 Cla 250 years. It is one of the Cla 250 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Cla 250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), other (5 complaints), driver assistance (5 complaints).

Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Cla 250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz Cla 250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cla 250 years to avoid are 2018, 2020. The cleanest record among Cla 250 years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.