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ProblemsByVin Index / 2016-MERCEDES-BENZ-CLA-CLASS / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class owner complaints

62 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

other 8 complaints shown

12/28/2017 9,000 mi ODI #11057168.0

The sunroof spontaneously exploded with a large noise raining glass down on us. There were no cars around, no objects hit the sunroof. We were driving at normal speed on the highway. This issue is very dangerous because it was startling like an explosion and could have caused loss of control. The car had very low mileage was practically brand new in perfect condition.

11/04/2021 ODI #11439345.0

My radio completely turned off & the whole colonization system is shut down. I cannot control anything like changing the time or lights in my car & I have no working screen. The screen is completely black & nothing turns on or works. It randomly turned off one day & hasn’t come back on. I took it to the dealership & they want me to pay $2,500 to get it fixed. I did not cause this issue, the car itself caused this. I do not think I should have to pay for something I did not cause.

10/29/2025 ODI #11696324.0

The incident that occurred is that my sunroof exploded on me while I was driving. There was know one in front of me nor next to me. Nothing hitting it to cause this, it just exploded.

10/21/2016 ODI #10917839.0

*** I don't own this car. *** Mercedes sent the remote access credentials to an unverified email account. The remote access app shows vehicle location, allowing unlock and vehicle start which could allow the vehicle to be easily stolen. Also I fear that by not securely sending remote access credentials the remote start feature of the app could be used to start the vehicle when it is parked in an attached garage which could inundate the house with carbon monoxide. Mercedes needs to verify owner email prior to sending vehicle access credentials. Additionally steps should be taken to ensure that remote start features cannot cause harm to owners in case online accounts are hacked such as the recent yahoo email fiasco: * limit the amount of time a vehicle can be left running. * limit the

10/09/2017 6,000 mi ODI #11032300.0

Car cannot be filled with gas more than 7/8 of the tank. When filled full, the engine sputters and car start to stall/shake violently, engine loses power and engine light comes on and then engine shuts down by itself. After engine shuts down all lights on the dash board lit up and need to turn off car. This happens on both city road and highway driving soon after filling the tank. Almost caused an accident on the highway as I could pull fast enough onto the shoulder and get out of the way from other cars behind me on the highway driving at 60 miles/hour. After this happens, I had three options. Get a tow track and pull the car of the streets, drive the car on the highway at speeds no more than 25-35 miles/hour using the manual paddle shifters, or wait at least one hour on the side of

10/09/2017 8,500 mi ODI #11032301.0

Car cannot be driven when gas gage shows a little bit less than tank. The range on the car showed almost 90 miles to empty on highway driving and all of the sudden the engine started to lose power and engine light came on, pulled to the side of road limping along at 20 miles per hour with gas pedal all the way to the floor and then engine shut down by itself after 2 miles. After engine shut down all lights on the dash board lit up and needed to turn off car. Restarted the car and the car would not drive in reverse, manual paddle shifter would not work at all, and driving a few yards was impossible. Car shut down a few times and then low gas light came on (two miles before that the range on the dash board was showing almost 90 miles to drive until empty) after this happened, I got towed a

09/26/2022 ODI #11486543.0

I was driving on the street and lost power, I looked down and saw a red transmission message and noticed that my vehicle was in neutral. I hurried, and stepped on the break and put my car in drive. I drove 5 minutes to my destination. A few hours later, as I was leaving my destination, my car did the same thing. I lost power, the red transmission light popped up and my car was in neutral. I noticed it once a few months ago and thought it was minor. As I reflect, I have had a few instances where I was driving and my acceleration was off. I took the streets to the mechanic today and they stated that they could not find anything wrong with the car.

08/16/2023 ODI #11538907.0

Subject: Urgent Safety Concern Regarding Recall Campaign #2022030003 for 2016 CLA250 VIN# xxx Date: August 16, 2023 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my deep concern and dissatisfaction regarding a recent incident involving my 2016 CLA250, VIN# xxx, which has raised serious safety issues for both myself and my passengers. Between July 15, 2023, and August 14, 2023, I experienced a distressing loss of power while commuting to work. The incident occurred while I was traveling in the high-speed lane on the highway, almost resulting in a major accident that could have led to severe injuries or even loss of life. During this period, the check engine light on my vehicle illuminated and subsequently turned off. Fearing for our safety, I promptly sought a vehicle diagnostic asses

engine 3 complaints shown

7 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/28/2020 88,000 mi ODI #11385248.0

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 decentigrating piston, the vehicle manufacture advertised that the vehicle would cut power to protect the engine from causing it self further damage, this seemed like a great safety feature until it just happen, I had no control over the vehicle, it just seemed to take on a life of its own, the vehicles behind or adjacent to me had no warning that the vehicle would decrease the speed, so I had to muscle the care out of the swirling traffic, I was devistated that my car caused me such fear and dealing with the fact t

11/13/2024 ODI #11625109.0

My car has slipped into neutral twice while driving. Once while turning left from red light and once while sitting still at red light.

09/06/2024 50,000 mi ODI #11613010.0

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the regulator valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

airbags 3 complaints shown

10 total in this category · critical · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/15/2016 Crash ODI #10935452.0

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 system failed to operate as intended. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The rental agency was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

11/07/2017 ODI #11044220.0

"takata recall" what purpose does this recall serve if the manufacturer still does not have a "remedy" available? I have 3 benz's, all affected by this recall and for over 1 year the dealer cannot repair due to "no remedy yet avail". So in the meantime, we should drive and pray that something tragic does not occur?

10/22/2017 ODI #11035543.0

Hello, I am writing to file a complaint that I was not contacted or informed by Mercedes benz or my dealer in boston (Mercedes benz of boston, herb chambers) that my vehicle (VIN) was affected by the recent recall regarding the issue with the electrostatic discharge inadvertently setting off the airbag. I had to find this out through the NHTSA website and until now I have been driving around unaware of this serious safety issue and risk. My airbag was not deployed or I did not have this issue affect me yet but now I'm hesitant and afraid to drive without having this issue fixed. It also scares me that I have been driving unaware of this issue because neither Mercedes benz or the dealer contacted me in a timely manner and it makes me wonder what would have happened if this issue str

steering 2 complaints shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/08/2018 ODI #11157040.0

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 beeped and automatically went into neutral. I couldn't do anything, it felt like my steering locked up and I could only slightly move the wheel, my blind spot assist was inoperable, my dashboard lit up every light/warning sign it could and I could not switch gears. I had to slowly roll two lanes over into the emergency lane while it was pouring rain. I almost got rear ended because of how slow my vehicle was moving over. I did not turn the vehicle off because I wasn't sure if I would be able to restart it. I waited o

10/26/2017 ODI #11040195.0

Takata recall. Contacted Mercedes benz greenway spoke with service department explained that I checked upon mail notification of a recall on my vehicle. Spoke with receptionist who told me that there was no recall (tammy or chrystal). Called back and luis told me that there was a recall but no solution. What do I do? Continue driving at risk with my child in the car!!!!???

powertrain 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/17/2018 ODI #11161569.0

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

wheels 1 complaint shown

11/20/2018 37,000 mi ODI #11152832.0

I leased this vehicle end of september 2016 but have replaced tires 6 times within last two years due to bubble in side of the tires. I don't think it is issue with tires since I have 2016 BMW with same tires without any issues. It could the rim size or the suspension on this vehicle cause tires to bubble up. I have been leasing cars for 30 years and never had issues like this. Numerous time I have asked the dealer to find out the root cause for it but no luck so far. The issue here is it putting myself and my family danger of our life because it is happening without even going thru a pot hole.each time when it happened, it is causing me to spend 350 to replace each tire. The transmission also failed last week while I was driving on a highway but lucky I was able to pull to a side without

electrical 1 complaint shown

6 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
09/12/2019 21,100 mi ODI #11255117.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-benz cla250. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled, the gear shifter failed to shift into neutral, and the brake and accelerator pedals traveled to the floorboard when depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The police assisted with moving the vehicle off the highway. The vehicle was towed to Mercedes-benz of los angeles (801 s figueroa st, los angeles, ca 90015, (213) 425-3100) where it was stated that a new starter was needed; however, the vehicle was not officially diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 21,100.

tires 1 complaint shown

09/05/2018 37,000 mi Crash ODI #11124464.0

The tires blew out on the nj turnpike while driving approximately 67 miles per hour. They are pirelli cinturato p7 run flat 225 40r18. One of the other tires has a bubble in it. The vehicles lost control and was swerving severely right and left almost doing a full 180 degree turn in the middle of the highway which nearly hit other vehicles driving over 65 miles per hour. Vehicle is 2 years old and had tire issues at least 4 times prior to this incident. Tire had pressure issue and was taken for service to Mercedes of cherry hill nj approximately a month before this blow out.

Showing 300 of 62 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Mercedes-Benz/CLA-Class#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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