2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class problems
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has 65 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has 65 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 10 complaints, typically surfacing around 15,292 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 CLA-Class | 193 | 0 |
| 2015 CLA-Class | 157 | 0 |
| 2016 CLA-Class (this page) | 65 | 0 |
| 2017 CLA-Class | 27 | 0 |
| 2018 CLA-Class | 44 | 0 |
| 2019 CLA-Class | 51 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 15,292 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- body — 7 owner reports · ~$1,500 to fix
- engine — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 68,152 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- steering — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 30,333 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged critical on this model , showing up around 15,292 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My 2016 Mercedes-benz c300 after undergoing the recommended maintenance via the Mercedes-benz dealer, while driving down the public road lost power, the lost of power with no warning to me or any other drivers around me, the vehicle went from 45 MPH to 10 MPH this was due to a…
2016 Mercedes benz cla. Consumer writes in regards to loss of power while driving. *ld the consumer stated on multiple occasions the vehicle loss power and drove roughly. The manufacturer advised having a fuel injector replaced, but the failure recurred. *js
Tl* the contact rented a 2016 Mercedes-benz cla250. While driving 45 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and failed to operate as intended. The contact also stated that the autonomous braking…
I was driving my cla in the rain on the 405n in irvine, ca at about 4pm to go to my new place of employment for onboarding. I was going approximately 25-30mph because of the weather and traffic it was very slow. I put my blinker on to merge over into the second lane and my car…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 15,292 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 65 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 15,292 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 15,292 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 15,292 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 65 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.