Home › Mercedes-Benz › CLS-Class › 2014
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 10 owner complaints on file for the 2014 CLS-Class, and the record shows no fires or deaths[1]. Four recalls apply[2], so check that the free software and clip fixes were done before you buy[3][4][5][6].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash and one mentions injuries[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Suspension is the group named most often, with 2 complaints[8]. Every other group has 1 complaint each: speed control, steering, air bags, power train, visibility, fuel and propulsion, and unknown or other[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. With counts this small, none of these is a pattern.
In the small sample of complaint texts we read, here is what owners describe:
- Suspension. Both texts describe a front strut or air shocks failing suddenly. One says the replacement part was out of stock[8].
- Speed control. One owner describes the car no longer accelerating on a highway and showing an "inoperative" message[9].
- Air bags. One owner describes an air bag that did not deploy when another vehicle struck the front driver's side fender at under 20 mph, with injuries reported[11].
These are single stories, not a measure of how often a problem happens.
Recalls
NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- eCall software (19V787). A software fault could make the emergency call system report the wrong date and time, which may send responders to an inaccurate location. That could delay help. The fix is an over-the-air update, or a dealer software update if needed, free of charge. The recall covered 24,226 potentially affected vehicles[3].
- Air bag software (17V177). Some control units may have been loaded with incorrect software, which could affect whether the air bags deploy in a crash. Dealers update the software free of charge. This recall lists 51 potentially affected vehicles[4].
- LED tail lights (15V137). The tail lights may not light on the sides, which reduces how well other drivers can see the car from the rear side. Dealers update the lighting controller software free of charge. It covered 30,141 vehicles[5].
- Hood rubber seal (15V088). A rubber seal near the rear of the engine compartment can stick to the hood when it is opened, then drop inside when the hood is shut. It could touch exhaust parts and raise the risk of a fire. Dealers add four retaining clips free of charge. It covered 147,224 vehicles[6].
To see whether a specific car has open recalls, check its VIN with NHTSA or a Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the version. All use premium fuel and a 7-speed automatic[7][16][17][18][19][20].
| Version | City / Hwy / Combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| CLS550, rear-wheel drive[7] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 |
| CLS550 4matic[16] | 17 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 |
| CLS63 AMG[17] | 16 / 25 / 19 | $4,350 |
| CLS63 AMG S[18] | 16 / 25 / 19 | $4,350 |
| CLS63 AMG 4matic[19] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 |
| CLS63 AMG S 4matic[20] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 |
EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Engine and size
The CLS550 has a 4.7L turbo 8-cylinder rated at 402 hp[21][7]. The CLS63 AMG versions have a 5.5L turbo 8-cylinder rated at 518 to 550 hp depending on version[22][17]. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2014 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 75 | 5 |
| 2007 | 37 | 4 |
| 2008 | 17 | 3 |
| 2009 | 5 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 | 3 |
| 2012 | 23 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 | 3 |
| 2014 | 10 | 4 |
| 2015 | 9 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 15 | 12 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 | 8 |
| 2022 | 3 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 |
NHTSA counts for each CLS-Class model year show 10 complaints and 4 recalls for 2014[2].
- Among its neighbors, 2013 has 4 complaints and 3 recalls, and 2015 has 9 complaints and 4 recalls[2].
- 2012 has 23 complaints and 3 recalls[2].
- Some older years have more complaints, such as 2006 with 75 and 2007 with 37[2].
- 2019 has 15 complaints and 12 recalls[2].
Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat these as rough context and not a reliability score.
Should you buy a used 2014 CLS-Class?
The complaint record is small, with 10 reports and no fires or deaths[1]. The recalls all have free remedies, so ask for proof that each one was done, especially the air bag software[4]. Suspension was the most named group, so have the struts and air shocks inspected[8]. Expect premium fuel and an EPA combined rating of 18 to 20 MPG depending on version[7][19]. This page does not cover reliability rankings, repair costs or safety ratings, so check those separately.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
- NHTSA has 10 complaints[1]. Suspension is named most, with 2[8]. Every other group has 1[9].
- Does the 2014 CLS-Class have any recalls?
- Yes, four: 19V787 (eCall software), 17V177 (air bag software), 15V137 (LED tail lights) and 15V088 (hood rubber seal). Each has a free remedy[3][4][5][6].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 10 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V787, filed November 1, 2019: Communication. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V177, filed March 14, 2017: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V137, filed March 10, 2015: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V088, filed February 13, 2015: Structure › Body › Hood. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for CLS550, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 2 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for CLS550 4matic, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for CLS63 AMG, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for CLS63 AMG S, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for CLS63 AMG 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for CLS63 AMG S 4matic, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class with 4.7L 8-cylinder: rated 402 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class with 5.5L 8-cylinder: rated 518 to 550 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov