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Mercedes-Benz · Compact Sedan

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class

Hybrid

Subcompact Cars
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns 1

Complaintsnone reporting a crash, fire or injury 3

Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 27 mpg

Starting MSRP5 trims · manufacturer $59,550

2027 2026 2025 2024

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact sedan with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CLE300 4matic (Coupe), is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 3 complaints, most often about the power train. Manufacturer pricing runs from $59,550 to $84,600 across 5 trims.

Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class — photograph via Wikimedia Commons — Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class · Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Trims & pricing

Source: manufacturer press kitWhich trim should I buy? → Compare a trim →

Trim	Powertrain	Drive	MSRP	HP	Torque	MPG comb	Wheels
CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet	Hybrid	AWD	$68,050	255 hp	295 lb-ft	26 mpg	18 in
CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet	Hybrid	AWD	$77,400	375 hp	369 lb-ft	26 mpg	19 in
CLE 300 4MATIC Coupe	Hybrid	AWD	$59,550	255 hp	295 lb-ft	27 mpg	18 in
CLE 450 4MATIC Coupe	Hybrid	AWD	$69,000	375 hp	369 lb-ft	26 mpg	19 in
AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet	Hybrid	AWD	$84,600	443 hp	413 lb-ft	22 mpg	19 in

MSRP excludes destination. Open a trim for the complete spec sheet and standard/optional equipment. Have the car in front of you? Decode its VIN to see which of these trims it is and what it was priced at.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
CLE300 4matic (Coupe)	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	24	33	27	$3,050
CLE300 4matic (Convertible)	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	23	32	26	$3,150
CLE450 4matic (Convertible)	Hybrid	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	23	32	26	$3,150
CLE450 4matic (Coupe)	Hybrid	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	23	33	26	$3,150
AMG CLE53 4matic Plus (coupe)	Hybrid	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	20	27	23	$3,550
AMG CLE53 4matic Plus (convertible)	Hybrid	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	19	26	22	$3,750

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 49221, 49220, 49222, 49223, 49225, 49224.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Electrical System

2026050004

144,049 vehicles 91% reported repaired built Sep 19, 2022 – Feb 6, 2026

Problem Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank. Risk An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. 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 May 8, 2026.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF Dealer notice PDF

NHTSA campaign 26V281000 reported May 1, 2026 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific CLE-Class

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2026 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Mercedes-Benz publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Mercedes-Benz’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

3complaints filed

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

4.3 per 10,000 built · Mercedes-Benz reported 7,028 CLE-Class built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2026: 3

Most-cited components

Power Train 3

Engine 2

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

Service Brakes 1

Suspension 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

THROTTLE LAG With the 2026 Mercedes CLE 300, throttle lag is driven by a combination of software programming, transmission behavior, and turbocharger dynamics working simultaneously.

Engine Aug 4, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11754765

I was driving the car in comfort mode. The car jerks forward when downshifting. It also brakes heavily when trying to come to a gradual stop. I was turning right into a driveway, there was another car exiting the driveway, I was braking normally, the car jerked forward during downshifting and the brakes overengaged which caused me to hit…

Service Brakes Sep 30, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11768092

SEVERE THROTTLE DELAY & UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION When applying pressure to the accelerator pedal at intersections or traffic lights, there is a substantial "dead zone" delay where the vehicle fails to respond or move forward. To prompt movement in normal traffic flow, I am forced to depress the accelerator pedal to the floor.

Engine Jul 23, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11752436

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.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 409

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 365 service bulletins, 26 others, 18 over-the-air updates

Most often about: Electrical System, Structure, Visibility/Wiper, Steering, Suspension.

LI46.10-P-080896 Service bulletin
2026-09-26 · Steering
Complaint Slight creaking noises when steering. Cause Noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. Remedy Remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. If necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.
LI18.00-P-073137 Service bulletin
2026-09-26 · Engine
Complaint Sporadic warning message in instrument cluster "Engine oil pressure, stop switch off vehicle" (or similar) is shown in red on vehicles with low mileage. Cause Directional control valve may stick. Remedy 1‑ Read off oil level in instrument cluster and correct if necessary. 2‑ Perform approx. 10‑15 engine starts, then clear fault codes. 3‑ Perform road test with vehicle. If fault code reoc
LI42.10-P-078779 Service bulletin
2026-09-22 · Service Brakes
Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as
LI82.62-P-078631 Service bulletin
2026-09-14 · Structure — Body
Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Note: Please refer to this document i
LI35.31-P-080353 Service bulletin
2026-09-14 · Power Train
Complaint Whining / humming noises (described as foghorn‑like) from the drivetrain in the rear axle area during cornering. (figure 1) On the above‑mentioned vehicles with a mileage up to 15,000 km (about 9,300 mi), noises can occur from the rear axle differential. Cause Drivetrain resonance caused by the gear mesh of the ring and pinion in the rear axle differential in combination with installed d
LI54.71-P-079104 Service bulletin
2026-09-11 · Electrical System
Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: • Flashing without a speed limit ("‑ ‑"). • Flashing when current vehicle speed is under speed limit. • Flashing between US speed limit symbol and European speed limit symbol. NOTE: • Verify that the concern falls under one of the attachment v
LI72.40-P-080776 Service bulletin
2026-09-10 · Structure — Body
Complaint When using the one‑touch (automatic) window closing function on one or both front door windows, the customer may report one of the following concerns: • The window begins closing, then reverses direction before reaching the fully closed position. • The window loses normalization and can only be closed by pulling and holding the window switch until the window reaches the fully closed posi
LI82.60-P-079747 Service bulletin
2026-09-04 · Electrical System
Complaint The Apple Music app is no longer available in the head unit apps menu after updating the software of the (A26/17 ‑ MBUX multimedia system + instrument cluster (head unit)) to E333.8 / A236 904 19 00. Cause Head unit software (CIVIC206) Remedy NOTE: Do not replace any component parts The new Apple Music app version is now available. The app should automatically be downloaded and available

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Compare the 2026 CLE-Class with

Any vehicle, your weights →

Head-to-head	Verdict
2026 Toyota Corolla · Compact Sedan · grade A	Corolla +27.2
2026 Volkswagen Jetta · Compact Sedan · grade B	Jetta +9.6
2026 Genesis G70 · Compact Sedan · grade A	G70 +27.3
2026 Ford Mustang · Coupe · grade C	Mustang +10.3

CLE-Class by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2027 A 0 1 27 mpg 2026 this page A 1 3 27 mpg 2025 A 1 3 27 mpg 2024 C 4 7 28 mpg

Common questions about the 2026 CLE-Class

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

How much does the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class cost?

Manufacturer pricing runs from $59,550 for the CLE 300 4MATIC Coupe AWD to $84,600 for the AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet AWD, across 5 trims. Those are MSRPs from the manufacturer's own press material; they exclude destination, options, taxes and whatever the dealer adds. Every trim and price is listed above.

Does the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 1 recall campaign for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class. The most serious on file is 26V281000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it A (92/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?

Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class, the best EPA combined figure is 27 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What do owners complain about on the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class, most often about power train, engine, fuel/propulsion system. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

Are there service bulletins for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?

The manufacturer has filed 409 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class, most often covering electrical system, structure, visibility/wiper. The most recent is dated 2026-09-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

Which 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class trim is the best value?

$25,050 separates the cheapest of the 5 trims from the most expensive, so the answer depends on which of the differences you would actually use. Every trim has its own page here with the manufacturer's full specification and equipment list, plus a short summary of exactly what it adds over the base trim — worth reading before a dealer frames the walk-up for you. The trim-by-trim ladder shows what every step up costs and what it makes standard.

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class better than the 2026 Toyota Corolla?

The Toyota Corolla wins clearly, 91.5 to 64.3, on price, fuel & range, tech & comfort. The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is ahead on performance. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class against the 2026 Toyota Corolla — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	6 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	none	EPA emission certificates	The EPA published no certificate we could match to a configuration on this page.
Recalls	1	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	3	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	none	NHTSA NCAP	NHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe.
Service bulletins	409	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	none	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	No defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	none	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	We had no VIN pattern to decode for this model year, or the manufacturer filed nothing usable.
Trims, pricing & equipment	5 trims	Manufacturer press kit	Transcribed from the manufacturer's own press material, every value carrying the document it came from.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

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). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly. Trim-level specifications and pricing are transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit; every value carries its source in the data file.

JSON for this page · API