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2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Gas
Compact Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
74 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns6
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA9
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA29 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CLA250, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 9 complaints, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
CLA250GasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo253529$2,650
CLA250 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243327$2,850
AMG CLA35 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222925$3,100
AMG CLA45 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202923$3,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42931, 42930, 42929, 43564.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

310,667 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.RiskA vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V481000reported Jul 24, 2026Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

See Recall Schedule
242,722 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.RiskA 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.FixThe 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V365000reported May 20, 2022Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Back Over Prevention

2022060007
126,443 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."RiskAn inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.
NHTSA campaign 22V232000reported Apr 8, 2022Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

2021050012
343,191 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."RiskA backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.FixThe multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.
NHTSA campaign 21V354000reported May 14, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

2021020025
1,292,258 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.RiskFailure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.FixMBUSA 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V058000reported Feb 5, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
●moderate

Child Seat

2021020004
231 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 A220, A35 AMG, and CLA250 vehicles. The child seat anchoring system (ISOFIX) may be missing the right-side anchoring bar from the ISOFIX bracket on the right-rear seat.RiskIf the anchoring bar is missing from the ISOFIX bracket, the child restraint cannot be properly secured to the seat using the ISOFIX securing system, increasing the risk of injury for a child in that seat.FixMBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right-rear ISOFIX bracket and replace the bracket, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020004.
NHTSA campaign 21V034000reported Jan 29, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
9complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2022: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Unspecified4
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Suspension1
Power Train1
Engine1

What owners describe

“Vehicle would unexpectedly stall out while driving at slow speeds or stopped. Car was brought to an independent car shop and it was determined the Fuel pump had started to come apart sending debris into the fuel tank/system causing low fuel pressure. The fuel tank with fuel level sensor and suction jet pump was replace…”Aug 29, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“the seal around my driver side rear light is not sealed correctly there is water precipitation in my lamp”Mar 19, 2025 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA owner report
“Our car has lost power to accelerate on 4 occasions on the highway. The first instance was in October of 2023, the second instance was in November of 2024 (and was brought immediately to the dealership and they said the fix wasn't available yet), the third instance was in March of 2024 and the most recent incident occu…”Jun 17, 2024 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other CLA-Class model years

A

2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

1 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

0 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

0 recalls · 2 complaints

A

2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

1 recalls · 6 complaints

A

2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

0 recalls · 4 complaints

F

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

13 recalls · 25 complaints

D

2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

6 recalls · 22 complaints

F

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

10 recalls · 46 complaints

F

2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

10 recalls · 27 complaints

F

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

9 recalls · 67 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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