CarBrief

NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file for the 2014 CLA-Class, more than for any other CLA model year[1][2]. It also has 6 recalls, and each one lists a free remedy[2][3][4][5][6][7][8].

179owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
26–30MPG combined (EPA)[9]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 179 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Five mention a crash, 3 a fire and 6 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. The group counts below do not add up to the 179 total[1].

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Engine[10] 68 14,000
Electrical system[11] 44 15,000
Speed control[12] 36 15,600
Unknown or other[13] 21 39,100
Electronic stability control[14] 20 13,334
Power train[15] 20 14,261
Structure[16] 11 51,150
Air bags[17] 11 not listed

We read a small sample of complaint texts, 12 for each of the top groups. In the engine sample, nearly all of the 12 describe stalling, a loss of power or a delayed response to the gas pedal[10]. In the speed control sample, 8 of 12 mention a warning message on the dash when the car stopped accelerating[12]. Several owners say the car drove normally again after they turned it off and on[12]. The power train sample is similar. Seven of 12 describe a loss of power or no response from the gas pedal with a warning message[15]. In the electrical sample, 6 of 12 describe warning messages with sudden power loss or stalling, and some say dealers could not fix it[11].

This is a small sample, so it shows what owners describe and not how common it is.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Several of these recalls cover many models[4][6], and all six are on file for this model year[2]. You can ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer whether a specific car has open recalls.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings come in three versions, all with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo, Automatic (AM7) and premium fuel[9][18][19].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
CLA250, front-wheel drive[9] 26 / 37 / 30 $2,750
CLA250 4matic, 4-wheel drive[19] 24 / 31 / 27 $3,050
CLA45 AMG 4matic, 4-wheel drive[18] 23 / 30 / 26 $3,150

The EPA annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Engine and size

The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated from 208 to 355 hp depending on version[20]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the CLA250 and can differ slightly from US models[21].

Measure CLA250
Length[21] 182 in
Width[21] 70 in
Height[21] 57 in
Wheelbase[21] 106 in
Curb weight[21] 3,263 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2014: 179 complaints, 6 recalls17920142015: 61 complaints, 7 recalls20152016: 66 complaints, 8 recalls20162017: 28 complaints, 10 recalls20172018: 41 complaints, 9 recalls20182019: 23 complaints, 6 recalls20192020: 21 complaints, 11 recalls20202021: 7 complaints, 5 recalls20212022: 2 complaints, 0 recalls20222023: 6 complaints, 0 recalls20232024: 2 complaints, 0 recalls20242025: 1 complaints, 0 recalls20252026: 1 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CLA-Class model year. The 2014 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20141796
2015617
2016668
20172810
2018419
2019236
20202111
202175
202220
202360
202420
202510
202611

The 2014 model year has the most complaints of any CLA year on file, with 179[2]. The next highest is 2016 with 66, then 2015 with 61[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so a higher count does not by itself say how likely a problem is.

Recalls are a different picture. The 2014 year has 6, fewer than 2015 with 7, 2016 with 8, 2017 with 10, 2018 with 9 and 2020 with 11[2]. The 2019 model year also has 6[2].

Should you buy a used 2014 CLA-Class?

This model year has the most complaints of any CLA year, and owners in our sample describe sudden power loss with a warning message[2][12][15]. Those are unverified reports from a small sample of texts. All 6 recalls list a free remedy, so ask a dealer which ones have been done on the car you are considering[3][4][5][6][7][8]. EPA fuel cost runs from $2,750 to $3,150 a year depending on version[9][19][18]. A pre-purchase inspection and a service history check are sensible steps for any used car.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
Engine is the largest complaint group with 68 of 179 complaints, followed by electrical system with 44 and speed control with 36[1][10][11][12]. In the complaint texts we read, owners describe a sudden loss of power with a warning message[12][15].
How many recalls does the 2014 CLA-Class have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year[2]. They cover the roof panel (two recalls), emergency call software, driver air bag grounding, a brake booster fitting and passenger fuses[2][3][4][5][6][7][8].
What is the gas mileage of the 2014 CLA250?
The EPA rates the front-wheel drive CLA250 at 26 city, 37 highway and 30 combined MPG[9]. The 4matic version is rated at 27 combined[19].
Is the 2014 CLA-Class the worst year for complaints?
It has the most complaints of any CLA model year on file, 179 against 66 for 2016 and 61 for 2015[2]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (5 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 23V854, filed December 15, 2023: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V197, filed March 19, 2021: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 19V787, filed November 1, 2019: Communication. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 17V627, filed October 6, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 16V901, filed December 14, 2016: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 15V426, filed July 6, 2015: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for CLA250, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. 68 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 44 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 36 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,600). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 21 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 20 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,334). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 20 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,261). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 11 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,150). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 11 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA rating for CLA45 AMG 4matic, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for CLA250 4matic, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 208 to 355 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CLA CLASS CLA250: length 182 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,263 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.