2017 Mercedes Benz CLA250 Problems and Recalls (27 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2017 Mercedes Benz CLA250 is Airbags (19% of 27 owner reports). There are 10 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Airbags — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 27 complaints · 10 recalls
What problems show up on the 2017 Mercedes Benz CLA250?
5 of 27 filings named Airbags (19% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Engine (4 reports).
There are 10 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags, Electrical, and Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 2016 has 66 reports on file; this year has 27. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Airbags 5 complaints · 18.5% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 2
- Fires 0
- Injuries 2
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 5 | 18.5% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 4 | 14.8% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 3 | 11.1% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 3 | 11.1% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 3 | 11.1% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) | 3 | 11.1% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Wheels (WHEELS) | 2 | 7.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Steering (STEERING) | 1 | 3.7% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 8 | 29.6% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 19V892000 was reported 745 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 21V058000 was reported 1,193 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 21V197000 was reported 1,235 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 22V365000 was reported 1,662 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 23V854000 was reported 2,236 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2017-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2017-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2018-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2025-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V080000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V114000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V627000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 19V892000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V058000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V072000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V197000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V229000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 22V365000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 23V854000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE21001 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA21002 |
Safety Recalls (10)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags, Electrical, and Body / frame.
-
Recall campaign 17V080000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- If the pelvis airbag or the front passenger airbag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy:
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
-
Recall campaign 17V114000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy:
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2017080002.
-
Recall campaign 17V627000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
- Remedy:
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
-
Recall campaign 19V892000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- In the event of a crash, if the air bag does not deploy as designed, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of an injury.
- Remedy:
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060012.
-
Recall campaign 21V058000
Safety recall 21V058000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
- Remedy:
- MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
-
Recall campaign 21V072000
Safety recall 21V072000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy:
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
-
Recall campaign 21V197000
Body / frame
- Report date
- Component:
- Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
- Consequence:
- The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
-
Recall campaign 21V229000
Safety recall 21V229000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060001.
-
Recall campaign 22V365000
Safety recall 22V365000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy:
- The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
-
Recall campaign 23V854000
Body / frame
- Report date
- Component:
- Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
- Consequence:
- A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 3 of 27 complaints · page 1 of 2
CrashFireInjuryDeath
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The instrument cluster display intermittently failed, either showing incorrect information or going completely blank while driving. Yes, the component is still installed in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the display failed, I was unable to view critical information such as vehicle speed, warning lights, and engine performance data. This posed a significant safety risk, especially while navigating traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the issue was reproduced and confirmed by a independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps or error messages prior to the failure. The issue first appeared June 20, 2025 and began occurring intermittently before worsening over time.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Component or System That Failed or Malfunctioned: The component that failed was the partial-load ventilation valve, which is part of the engine’s crankcase ventilation system. This valve is responsible for regulating airflow and pressure within the crankcase during partial engine loads. A malfunction in this valve can lead to increased engine pressure, oil leaks, and potential damage to engine components. The component is still available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The failure of the partial-load ventilation valve put my safety, and that of others, at risk in the following ways: •Engine stalling or reduced power while driving, especially during acceleration, which increases the risk of an accident. •In some cases, oil leakage caused by excess crankcase pressure could lead to engine compartment smoke or a potential fire hazard. •If the engine performance is compromised, it may suddenly lose power on highways or intersections, posing a serious risk. Problem Reproduced or Confirmed: Yes, the issue was confirmed. The technician verified the faulty valve during a diagnostic inspection after I noticed performance issues and warning messages. Inspected by Manufacturer, Dealer, or Others: Yes, the vehicle was inspected Warning Lamps, Messages, or Other Symptoms: Yes, there were warning signs prior to the failure: •Check Engine Light illuminated on the dashboard. •Engine running rough or hesitating, particularly during acceleration.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Approximately 6 months I noticed my vehicle began to emit an odor and is not responsive immediately when I press on the gas. During this time period a yellow check engine light appeared on my dashboard. My local mechanic recommended Christopher Motors in Warwick Rhode Island and German Motors in Providence, Rhode Island, who specializes in Mercedes. I scheduled an appointment and took the vehicle to Christophers Motors to get a diagnostics check for $130. Christopher motors did a diagnostic check and revealed that the car needs a crank shift ventilator that will cost approximately $1500-$1800 and could not guarantee if the service engine light would be removed. During this time I received a Vehicle Registration Suspension notification for the State of RI for a failed safety inspection. I was extremely stressed receiving this notification as I recently purchased this vehicle, and I am being told by the State of RI my car is unsafe to drive and my transportation for work is being removed. I had to contact the State of RI and advised that no one will fix the safety check engine light problem and I need a time extension to contact the Mercedes Dealer. I then scheduled an appointment with Mercedes, Warwick RI and was told that the part for this repair was back ordered and that there is an extended warranty on this repair. (Exhibit A). This immediately put my mind at ease, and I could see a solution to this two-month long problem. Then I was informed that the extended warranty is only for 14 models all within the same year as my vehicle. The Dealership also advised that Mercedes may add the recall for the CLA 250 in the future and I would be reimbursed for the repair. I then contacted Mercedes of USA by letter requesting that my vehicle experiencing the same design errors on the crankcase ventilation system be included in their extended warranty. Unfortunately they would not add my vehicle to the extended warranty and did not provide a detailed explanation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2017 Mercedes Benz CLA250?
Owners named Airbags most often — 5 of 27 reports (19%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2017 Mercedes Benz CLA250?
NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags, Electrical, and Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2017 Mercedes Benz CLA250?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.