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2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on file for the 2015 CLA-Class[1]. The car also has 7 recalls, so check that each one has been done before you buy[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 61 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Five mention a crash, none mention a fire, 4 mention injuries and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Here is how the complaints split by component group:
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown or other[4] | 17 |
| Engine[5] | 15 |
| Air bags[6] | 8 |
| Structure[7] | 7 |
| Power train[8] | 6 |
| Electrical system[9] | 6 |
| Brakes[10] | 4 |
| Visibility[11] | 4 |
The engine group has a median mileage at failure of 35,923[5]. The electrical group has a median of 66,000 miles[9]. The air bag group includes 3 crashes and 2 injuries[6]. The structure group includes 2 crashes[7].
We read a small sample of the complaint texts. Treat what follows as examples, not as a measure of how common each problem is.
- Engine. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a check engine light tied to the crankcase ventilation system. Others describe overheating blamed on the water pump, and a cracked oil pan after road debris hit it[5].
- Power train. Owners in the sample describe the car shifting into neutral on its own, or refusing to go into gear[8].
- Air bags. Some owners in the sample say the air bags did not deploy in a crash. Others say they were waiting for parts for an air bag recall repair[6].
- Structure. Owners in the sample describe a roof panel or sunroof coming loose, and sunroof glass shattering[7].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Roof panel, expanded (23V854). Filed December 15, 2023, covering 2,976 vehicles[12] across several Mercedes-Benz models from 2014 to 2020, including the CLA. A front roof panel between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may have been glued badly during an earlier repair. It could come off and land on the road, which raises crash risk. Dealers replace the front panel, free of charge. This expands recall 21V197[12].
- Roof panel (21V197). Filed March 19, 2021, covering 15,096 vehicles[13] with a panoramic sunroof. The same front roof panel bonding problem, with the same risk of the panel detaching. Dealers remove the panel and install a new one with approved materials, free of charge[13].
- Passenger air bag sensor (19V892). Filed December 16, 2019, covering 129 vehicles[14]. The passenger seat occupant sensor may have been calibrated wrongly, which may stop the front passenger air bag from deploying properly. The air bag might not deploy properly, which raises injury risk for the front passenger. Dealers replace the passenger seat cushion, free of charge[14].
- Emergency call software (19V787). Filed November 1, 2019, covering 24,226 vehicles[15]. A software fault can give the emergency call system the wrong date and time, so it may send an inaccurate vehicle location. That could slow emergency responders. Mercedes-Benz started an over-the-air update, and dealers check or update the software, free of charge[15].
- Driver air bag grounding (17V627). Filed October 6, 2017, covering 495,290 vehicles[16]. Weak grounding of the steering parts means the driver air bag may go off unexpectedly if a static discharge occurs and the clockspring is broken. That raises the risk of injury and a crash. Dealers add grounding to the steering parts, free of charge[16].
- Starter (17V114). Filed February 23, 2017, covering 307,629 vehicles[17]. If the engine will not turn over, repeated start attempts can overheat a current limiter and melt nearby parts, which raises fire risk. Dealers add a fuse to the starter wiring, free of charge[17].
- Camshafts (15V662). Filed October 16, 2015, covering 857 vehicles[18] built between July 17 and August 31, 2015. Welds on the camshafts may fail and damage the engine. Engine damage can cause a stall, which raises crash risk. Dealers replace the affected camshafts, free of charge[18].
Not every recall covers every car. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a Mercedes-Benz dealer to see which recalls apply to a specific car.
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for this model year depend on the version:
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| CLA250, front-wheel drive[3] | 26 / 37 / 30 | $2,750 |
| CLA250 4matic, all versions listed[19][20] | 24 / 32 / 27 | $3,050 |
| CLA45 AMG 4matic[21] | 23 / 30 / 26 | $3,150 |
One CLA250 4matic listing is for premium or E85 fuel, and the other is for premium[19][20]. All four listings are for a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo with Automatic (AM7)[19][21][20][3].
Engine and size
The EPA lists the 2015 CLA-Class 2.0L 4-cylinder at 208 to 355 hp, depending on version[22]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, so they can differ slightly from US cars.
How 2015 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 179 | 6 |
| 2015 | 61 | 7 |
| 2016 | 66 | 8 |
| 2017 | 28 | 10 |
| 2018 | 41 | 9 |
| 2019 | 23 | 6 |
| 2020 | 21 | 11 |
| 2021 | 7 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 6 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 |
NHTSA lists 61 complaints and 7 recalls for the 2015 CLA-Class[2]. Only 2014, with 179 complaints, and 2016, with 66, have more complaints[2]. On recalls, four model years have more than 2015's 7: 2016 has 8, 2017 has 10, 2018 has 9 and 2020 has 11. The 2014 and 2019 model years have 6 each, 2021 has 5, and 2022 to 2027 have 1 or none[2]. The 2016 model year has 8, 2017 has 10, 2018 has 9 and 2020 has 11, while 2014 and 2019 have 6 each and 2021 has 5[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read these as rough comparisons only.
Should you buy a used 2015 CLA-Class?
The complaint count is lower than 2014 and 2016, but 7 recalls means several items to check[2]. Several of them involve safety parts such as the roof panel, air bags and camshafts[12][14][16][18]. Before buying, ask for proof that every recall that applies to the car was done. Fuel economy runs from 26 to 30 combined MPG depending on version[21][3]. Our data says nothing about price, reliability ratings or crash test scores, so check those separately.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
- The biggest complaint groups at NHTSA are unknown or other with 17, engine with 15, air bags with 8 and structure with 7[4][5][6][7]. The total is 61 complaints[1].
- How many recalls does the 2015 CLA-Class have?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[2]. They cover the roof panel, passenger air bag sensor, emergency call software, driver air bag grounding, starter and camshafts[12][13][14][15][16][17][18].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2015 CLA-Class?
- The EPA rates the front-wheel drive CLA250 at 30 MPG combined[3]. The CLA250 4matic is rated 27 combined[20] and the CLA45 AMG 4matic 26 combined[21].
- Is 2015 a good year for the CLA-Class?
- It has 61 complaints, fewer than 2014 and 2016, and 7 recalls[2]. Whether it suits you depends on whether the recalls were done and on the condition of the specific car.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (5 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,848). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,923). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 23V854, filed December 15, 2023: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V197, filed March 19, 2021: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V892, filed December 16, 2019: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V787, filed November 1, 2019: Communication. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V627, filed October 6, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V114, filed February 23, 2017: Electrical System › Starter Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V662, filed October 16, 2015: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for CLA250 4matic, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Premium or E85, 4-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for CLA250 4matic, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 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
- EPA Test Car List, 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 208 to 355 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CLA CLASS CLA250 4DR COUPE FWD: 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
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CLA CLASS CLA250 4MATIC 4DR COUPE AWD: length 182 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,395 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov