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2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class

Hybrid

Subcompact Cars
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11

Safety Signal

92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns1

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA2

Crash ratingNHTSA overall—

Fuel economybest combined, EPA27 mpg

2027 2026 2025 2024

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact car 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 2 complaints, most often about the engine.

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	$2,850
CLE300 4matic (Convertible)	Hybrid	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	23	32	26	$3,000
CLE450 4matic (Convertible)	Hybrid	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	23	32	26	$3,000
CLE450 4matic (Coupe)	Hybrid	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	23	33	26	$3,000
AMG CLE53 4matic Plus (coupe)	Hybrid	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	20	27	23	$3,350
AMG CLE53 4matic Plus (convertible)	Hybrid	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	19	26	22	$3,500

*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

ProblemMercedes-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.RiskAn instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.

NHTSA campaign 26V281000reported May 1, 2026Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

2complaints filed

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

Filed per year: 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Engine2

Power Train2

Fuel/Propulsion System1

What owners describe

“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.The following situation is when it usually occurs:Transitioning from a slow roll up a ramp (like the parking ramp at my condo) or pulling …”Aug 4, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

“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 t…”Jul 23, 2026 · Engine · 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 CLE-Class model years

2027 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class

1 recalls · 2 complaints

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class

4 recalls · 6 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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