I have sent the below email over 100 times to Mercedes To whom it may concern, I am writing regarding the purchase of a CLA250 4matic in December. I had a 120 point inspection done that did not show any issues with this car. As I was driving down a dark road around 1 am, my life was thrown in danger as the command shaft shut off and I could not see the dashboard or any lights in the vehicle. I…
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 CLA-Class | 43 |
| 2015 CLA-Class | 15 |
| 2016 CLA-Class | 6 |
| 2017 CLA-Class | 5 |
| 2018 CLA-Class (this page) | 11 |
| 2019 CLA-Class | 4 |
| 2020 CLA-Class | 8 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 11 electrical complaints filed for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 7 model years of Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Electrical accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the instrument cluster going completely black or flickering on and off while driving, wiping out the speedometer, fuel gauge, turn signals, and brake lights—exactly what you need to see on the road. This happens unpredictably and repeatedly; one owner dealt with it for months even after the dealer tried a software reset. Another owner's parking brake suddenly engaged at highway speed without warning, nearly throwing them around the cabin.
Most alarming: one owner's car caught fire while parked in an apartment garage. An insurance investigator determined the fire started from wires under the passenger seat. The vehicle was totaled after less than a year of ownership.
Smaller issues pile up too: one car shifted itself into neutral at 60 mph on the highway with a "DO NOT SHIFT GEARS" message on the dash. Another owner lost all backup camera function—the dealer won't cover it. A panoramic sunroof won't close completely.
Two owners received notification of recall 21V058000 for electrical system issues but couldn't get the parts from Mercedes-Benz—the manufacturer left them hanging with an incomplete recall.
Same Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class electrical reports on nearby years: 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Instrument cluster blackout and flickering
The dashboard cluster goes completely black or flickers on and off while driving, affecting visibility of speed, fuel level, turn signals, brake lights, engine warning lights, and other safety indicators. One owner reported this happened repeatedly over several months; another experienced it after sitting for days. The problem is unpredictable and occurs during highway driving.
When: Occurs unpredictably during driving and after vehicle sits unused for extended periods; reported ongoing for a few months in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard cluster goes completely black; Cluster lights flicker on and off continuously; Speedometer becomes unreadable; Fuel gauge spins from full to empty or becomes unreadable; Turn signals do not illuminate; Brake and engine warning lights flash on and off; All safety indicator lights affected
Repairs/costs cited: One owner was told service would address wiring issues within the command system; the cause was not determined after dealer software reset attempt
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported Mercedes performed a software reset, but the problem persisted. No TSBs or recalls specifically address this cluster failure in the narratives, though one complaint references NHTSA Campaign 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) relating to an unrelated recall with unavailable parts.
Parking brake engagement during driving
The parking brake engaged automatically while the vehicle was being driven at highway speeds, creating an immediate safety hazard. The owner reported this happened without warning after experiencing prior electrical issues.
When: Occurred after previous cluster blackout incidents; specific mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake engaged while vehicle was in motion; No warning before engagement; Owner reported nearly being ejected from vehicle
Electrical fire under passenger seat
Vehicle caught fire while parked in an apartment garage for one week. A car shop investigation determined the fire originated from wires under the passenger seat. The vehicle was totaled and removed from service.
When: Vehicle parked for one week; fire discovered upon owner's return, approximately less than one year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Strong smell of smoke when vehicle was opened; Windows covered in soot; Visors bubbled and damaged by heat; Passenger seat with large chunk missing from fire damage
Repairs/costs cited: Insurance adjuster's car shop investigation indicated fire started from wires under the passenger seat; vehicle deemed total loss
Transmission shift to neutral with warning messages
Vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into neutral while traveling on a highway at approximately 60 mph. The dashboard displayed three consecutive warning messages: 'SERVICE REQUIRED', 'DO NOT SHIFT GEARS', and 'CONTACT DEALER'. The owner was able to pull over safely. Restart resolved the immediate issue but subsequent electrical problems followed.
When: Occurred while merging onto highway at 60 mph; owner reported subsequent electrical issues thereafter
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifted into neutral without driver input; Dashboard displayed multi-line warning message; Subsequent electrical issues reported after this incident
Backup camera malfunction
The backup camera stopped functioning entirely. Placing the vehicle in reverse does not trigger the camera display. The dealer confirmed no recall exists for this issue and it is not covered under warranty. The owner identified this as a software error affecting multiple 2018 CLA 250 vehicles.
When: Timing not specified in complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera does not activate; Reverse gear does not display camera screen
Repairs/costs cited: Not covered under warranty per dealer; owner identified as software error
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall available for backup camera issue per dealer
Panoramic sunroof incomplete closure
The panoramic sunroof operates in both open and close directions but will not fully close at the rear. Mechanics contacted by the owner were aware this is a recurring issue with this specific make, model, and class of vehicle.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof will not fully close in the rear section; Sunroof opens and closes partially but remains incomplete
Vehicle starting and shutdown issues during driving
The owner reported issues with vehicle starting and shutting down while driving. Minimal detail is provided in this complaint.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle starting problems; Vehicle shutting down while driving
Recall parts unavailability
Two owners received notification of NHTSA Campaign 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) but were unable to complete the recall repair because the required parts were unavailable from the manufacturer. Both owners felt the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable timeframe for completing the recall.
When: As of the complaint submission dates, parts had not been available for an extended period
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to obtain recall parts; Prolonged delay in recall completion
Repairs/costs cited: Parts distribution disconnect per complaints
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 21V058000 issued for Communication/Electrical System; parts not available through dealer network at time of complaints
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I was driving on the access road getting ready to merge onto the highway. I proceeded onto the highway and made it into the middle lane going around 60 MPH but shortly after my car threw itself into neutral and the dash lit up with three lines of words: the first line said 'service required', the second line said 'do not shift gears' and the last line said 'contact dealer'. I was able to pull my…
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the recall. The contact stated that the…
Had electrical trouble with your 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 3,274 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Mercedes-Benz/CLA-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.