CarBrief

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 2018 CLS-Class[1]. It has one recall, for the emergency call system, and the fix is a software update[2].

0owner complaints[1]
1recalls[3]
18–21MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Reported problems

NHTSA has 0 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. That includes no reports that mention a crash, a fire, an injury or a death[1].

That is a good sign, but it is not proof that nothing goes wrong. Complaints are unverified reports sent in by owners. A low count can also mean few owners reported anything. Use it as one input, along with a pre-purchase inspection and the car's service history.

Recalls

This recall covers many Mercedes-Benz models and years. The CLS-Class is among the models named in this recall, but it covers only certain vehicles[2]. Ask a dealer to confirm whether a specific car is included and whether the update was done. Ask a dealer to confirm the update was done on any car you are considering.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions for 2018. All use premium fuel[4][5][6].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
CLS550, rear-wheel drive[4] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,900
CLS550 4matic[5] 17 / 25 / 20 $4,100
AMG CLS63 S 4matic[6] 16 / 22 / 18 $4,550

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

Engine and size

EPA lists a 4.7L 8-cylinder rated at 402 hp[7] and a 5.5L 8-cylinder rated at 550 hp[8]. The CLS550 versions use the 4.7L and the AMG CLS63 S uses the 5.5L[4][5][6].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the CLS 550 4MATIC sedan[9]. They can differ slightly from US cars.

Measure Value
Length[9] 194 in
Width[9] 74 in
Height[9] 56 in
Wheelbase[9] 113 in
Curb weight[9] 4,277 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

2006: 75 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 37 complaints, 4 recalls2008: 17 complaints, 3 recalls20082009: 5 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 1 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 4 complaints, 3 recalls2012: 23 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 4 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 10 complaints, 4 recalls20142015: 9 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 0 complaints, 1 recalls20162017: 1 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 0 complaints, 1 recalls020182019: 15 complaints, 12 recalls2020: 5 complaints, 5 recalls20202021: 1 complaints, 8 recalls2022: 3 complaints, 6 recalls20222023: 3 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CLS-Class model year. The 2018 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2006755
2007374
2008173
200953
201013
201143
2012233
201343
2014104
201594
201601
201711
201801
20191512
202055
202118
202236
202333

NHTSA lists 0 complaints and 1 recall for 2018[3]. The 2016 model year also has 0 complaints and 1 recall, and 2017 has 1 complaint and 1 recall[3].

Some other years show more activity. The 2006 year has 75 complaints and 5 recalls, and 2012 has 23 complaints and 3 recalls[3]. The 2019 year has 15 complaints and 12 recalls[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide within this one model.

Should you buy a used 2018 CLS-Class?

The NHTSA record for 2018 is quiet, with 0 complaints and 1 recall[1][3]. Only that one recall is in our data, and it has a software remedy[2]. Expect fuel costs between $3,900 and $4,550 a year, depending on the version[4][6]. Our data does not cover reliability, maintenance costs or safety ratings, so get an inspection and check the car's service records.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class have?
NHTSA has 0 owner complaints on file for it[1]. Its one recall concerns the emergency call system[2].
Are there recalls on the 2018 CLS-Class?
Yes, one: 21V058, about eCall location software. A dealer or over-the-air update is the remedy[2].
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 CLS-Class?
EPA combined ratings are 21 MPG for the CLS550, 20 MPG for the CLS550 4matic and 18 MPG for the AMG CLS63 S 4matic[4][5][6].
How much horsepower does the 2018 CLS-Class have?
EPA lists 402 hp for the 4.7L 8-cylinder and 550 hp for the 5.5L 8-cylinder[7][8].
Is 2018 a good year for the CLS-Class?
It has 0 complaints and 1 recall, the same as 2016 on both counts[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 0 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 21V058, filed February 5, 2021: Communication › Auto Crash Notification. NHTSA recall database
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for CLS550, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. EPA rating for CLS550 4matic, 4.7L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. EPA rating for AMG CLS63 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
  7. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class with 4.7L 8-cylinder: rated 402 hp. www.epa.gov
  8. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class with 5.5L 8-cylinder: rated 550 hp. www.epa.gov
  9. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CLS CLASS CLS 550 4MATIC 4DR SEDAN: length 194 in, width 74 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,277 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.