Last updated: 2026-10-10
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Reliability Report
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA rates mixed, well below other 2020 sedans, with owner reports of engine fires and sudden neutral drops.
Recalls
62
Complaints
110
Complaint Rate
11per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$908
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,450–$2,550
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Among the stronger CLA years and ahead of 2019 and 2021, but still marked by engine fires, neutral drops, and early exhaust valve wear.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (13)
- POWER TRAIN (12)
- ENGINE (10)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2020 is year 2 of the Second generation (C118; 2019).
- Redesigned for the 2019 model year.
- A refresh arrives in 2023.
- 2nd generation CLA (US).
What this means for buyers
Year 2 is typically a safer pick than the first model year — early issues are more likely to be identified, but the platform is still new.
If you're comparing prices, check 2019 (redesign year) vs 2020+ pricing and recalls.
2019: Second generation (C118; 2019) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2020: This Model Year
2020 is year 2 of the Second generation (C118; 2019).
2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA?
Mixed is the fair word here. This CLA is among the stronger of the seven scored model years, yet it rates well below average against other 2020 sedans. The 2019 and 2021 both rate worse. It earns 5 of 5 stars in the federal crash test.
Fire and drivetrain reports matter most. Owners describe engine-compartment fires at 15,000 to 18,000 miles, one at a stop light and one minutes after a remote start. The transmission can drop into neutral with the engine revving, and dealers often find no codes. Early exhaust valve wear causes misfires, with quotes up to $12,000 before 60,000 miles. Rearview cameras go black between 34,000 and 48,000 miles.
Federal recall records list 62 recalls, including air bags, seat belts, and the fuel system. Ask for proof that every recall was completed, checked by VIN, and for records of any transmission or cylinder head repair.
Compared to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA, which scored 11 points lower. See also the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
- +5-star NHTSA crash rating
Cons
- −Below-average reliability score
- −Above-average recall count
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Engine-compartment fires are the most serious reports here (13 complaints)
- −POWER TRAIN: Transmission drops into neutral without warning (12 complaints)
- −5 fire incidents reported in owner complaints
Compare 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA With
2020 Audi A4
Reliability: 65/100
2020 BMW 3 Series
Reliability: 64/100
2020 Lexus IS
Reliability: 83/100
2020 Tesla Model 3
Reliability: 54/100
2020 BMW 2 Series
Reliability: 71/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 62 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (13)
- POWER TRAIN (12)
Recall Overview
62
recalls on record
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA has 62 recalls on record, which is above average. A high count can flag multiple component concerns, though it also shows the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
11
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 17.9
Safety Incidents
8
Crashes
5
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Recall Details
62 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SEATS
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 E350, E450, E450 Wagon, E63S AMG, 2020 E63S AMG Wagon, and 2020-2021 E53 AMG vehicles. The passenger seat limiter may allow the seat to be positioned too close to the air bag.
Consequence
A seat too close to the air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the frontal passenger air bag.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the passenger seat limiter, free of charge. The recall began April 29, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040002.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLS 53 4MATIC, 2019-2023 E 53 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 53 4MATIC Coupe, E 53 4MATIC Sedan, 2021-2024 GT 43 4MATIC, and 2019-2025 GT 53 4MATIC vehicles. The transmission wiring harness connection might not have been correctly wired during a prior recall repair, and during production. which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.
Consequence
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the two-part wiring harness and connector, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 9, 2024. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024100002/3. This recall supersedes recall 22V-533. Vehicles repaired under the prior recall will still need to have the new remedy performed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 CLS450 Coupe and AMG E53, 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 Coupe, and 2021-2022 E450 vehicles. The 12-Volt battery in the trunk may not be properly secured, which, in the event of a crash, can cause electrical connection failure, disabling various safety features including, emergency call (eCall) system, electric seat adjustment, hazard warning lights, and automatic door locks.
Consequence
The inability to operate safety features (eCall system, hazard lights, electric seats, or automatic door locks) can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will secure the 12V battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022100009.
Showing 10 of 26 recalls. View all on NHTSA.gov →
Buying a used 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA, and 62 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.7%
Safety Technologies
Gas / HEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 0.0%
Safety Technologies
Mercedes-Benz CLARepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
2Maintenance rating: 2 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$908
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Example Repair Prices
National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.
| Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| No Start Diagnosis | $198 – $291 |
| Purge Valve Replacement | $187 – $229 |
| AC Compressor Clutch Replacement | $1,321 – $1,452 |
| Air Conditioning Refrigerant Recover | $61 – $90 |
| Washer Fluid Level Sensor Replacement | $226 – $326 |
| Engine Mount Replacement | $2,560 – $3,400 |
| Check Engine Light Diagnosis & Testing | $198 – $291 |
| Ignition Coil Replacement | $237 – $294 |
| Timing Chain Tensioner Replacement | $639 – $704 |
| Pinion Seal Replacement | $209 – $259 |
Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
27–28 MPG
Running cost: $3,350–$3,450/yr
Fuel + repair
23–25 city / 33–35 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2020 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLA250 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM7) | 25 | 35 | 28 | $2,450 |
| CLA250 4matic 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM7) | 23 | 33 | 27 | $2,550 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Run the VIN through federal recall records and get dealer proof that every open recall is completed.
Shift into reverse several times and watch the rear camera for at least 10 seconds for freezing or a black screen.
Inspect the glass roof panel between the windshield and sunroof for peeling edges, gaps, or rattling.
Check the panoramic sunroof glass for cracks and confirm it opens and closes fully.
Scan for stored codes, including P06DA00 and camshaft actuator faults, and ask for any cylinder head repair records.
Make repeated stops and starts from lights and watch for free-revving in neutral or a failed start/stop restart.
Check the front tires' inner shoulders and sidewalls for bulges or tears, and note there is no spare.
Open each front door to confirm it holds at its detents, and test whether the power trunk stops for obstructions.
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Common Problems by Component
110 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13 complaintsSafety-relatedEngine-compartment fires are the most serious reports here. One car burned at a stop light with under 15,000 miles, and another caught fire minutes after a remote start from the app. Other reports describe rear camera blackouts, an Active Brake Assist warning that won't clear, a power trunk lid closing on someone's head, and a no-start that a dealer blamed on transmission software. Many filings are recall notices where dealers had no parts or didn't know about an over-the-air fix.
POWER TRAIN
12 complaintsSafety-relatedThe transmission drops into neutral without warning. It happens while driving or when pulling away from a light, and the engine revs while the car won't move until it is shifted to park or restarted. Dealers often find no codes. In one case a replacement transmission failed the same way. Engine-related reports include misfires from a worn exhaust valve seat that needed a new cylinder head, camshaft actuator faults that kept a car under 30 mph, oil-soaked wiring harnesses near 50,000 miles, and start/stop failing to restart.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11 complaintsSunroof glass shatters at highway speed with a gunshot-like bang and drops shards on the people inside. Other reports describe the car stalling or slipping into neutral with a "Cannot reverse" message, sudden shutdowns as the dash lights dim, and slow acceleration from a stop. Some owners report a power trunk lid closing on their heads, an inoperative oil pump valve code with repair estimates over $5k, and convertible top cords breaking so the top sticks partway, quoted near $4,000.
ENGINE (10 complaints)
ENGINE
10 complaintsSafety-relatedExhaust valves in the cylinder head wear early. That causes misfires and lost power, and repair quotes run as high as $12,000 before 60,000 miles. One engine failed completely after a head replacement. An oil pump control valve fault (P06DA00) shows up around 27,000 to 29,100 miles, with estimates over $7,000. Owners also describe stalling on the highway with no warning lights, sudden limp mode, leaking fuel injectors, and an engine fire in a parked car at 18,000 miles.
BACK OVER PREVENTION (8 complaints)
BACK OVER PREVENTION
8 complaintsSafety-relatedThe rearview camera freezes or goes black while reversing. Sometimes it shows an image for about 10 seconds first. Two reports describe backing into another vehicle after the image failed. Failures cluster between 34,000 and 48,000 miles, and one owner says the problem came back after a software update. Several filings describe recall notices with parts not yet available, or dealers saying the owner's VIN was not included.
STEERING (6 complaints)
STEERING
6 complaintsSafety-relatedOne report describes the steering locking at speed on a turnpike, followed by a crash with two injuries. Other owners describe grinding or popping noises when turning, worse when the car is cold, and steering that resists or responds late without any warning light. One owner reports front tires wearing on the inner shoulder within 5k to 9k miles. Another describes start/stop failing to restart. One filing concerns recall repairs delayed by parts shortages.
STRUCTURE (5 complaints)
STRUCTURE
5 complaintsThe glass roof panel between the windshield and sunroof comes loose. Owners describe it peeling, rattling, or flying off the car while driving, with no warning beforehand. Separately, the panoramic sunroof shatters with a loud pop and showers the cabin with glass. Door hinge detents also fail, so heavy front doors swing shut on legs and feet. In one case a replacement hinge failed again within a month, and one injury is reported.
TIRES (4 complaints)
TIRES
4 complaintsFront tires fail by belt separation or by tearing where the sidewall meets the tread, often at low mileage. Owners report damage around 15,000 to 17,000 miles and sudden highway vibration on tires with under 20K miles. One sidewall split led to the tread shredding and hitting the wheel well. Because the car rides on run-flats with no spare, that driver was stranded. A dealer diagnosed shifted belts on another set of factory tires.
VISIBILITY (4 complaints)
VISIBILITY
4 complaintsThe panoramic sunroof shatters at highway speeds of about 55 to 60 mph. Owners describe a loud noise and glass falling into the cabin, and one case caused minor injuries to occupants and a pet. Reported failures fall between 34,000 and 48,000 miles. Dealers quote replacement, and the manufacturer offered no help in the cases described. One owner reports a sunroof that will not close.
AIR BAGS (4 complaints)
AIR BAGS
4 complaintsSafety-relatedFew reports, and they vary. One describes a loud bang from the driver's windshield pillar, where an airbag sits, leaving the trim loose and the driver with lasting tinnitus. Another describes an airbag fault found after purchase that the dealer did not fix and wanted to charge for. One owner says a recall airbag replacement has not been done, and one crash with an injury gives no detail.
When Do 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Mercedes-Benz CLA Years
Best Mercedes-Benz CLA Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2020
(Current Model)
2018
2021
Mercedes-Benz CLA Years to Avoid
Mercedes-Benz CLA Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 46/100 | Mixed |
| 2019 | 44/100 | Mixed |
| 2020 | 56/100 | Mixed |
| 2021 | 45/100 | Mixed |
| 2022 | 38/100 | Risky |
| 2024 | 44/100 | Mixed |
| 2026 | 64/100 | Good |
Mercedes-Benz CLA Reliability Compared to Other Years
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Reliability by Powertrain
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA is available with 2powertrain options. Here's how they compare on reliability.
| Powertrain | Complaints | Recalls | Incidents* | Crash Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 105 | 58 | 13 | 5 out of 5 |
| Gas / HEV | 5 | 4 | 0 | N/T |
| Total | 110 | 62 | 13 |
NHTSA tracks complaints by vehicle configuration when that detail is available. Model-level reports that do not identify a specific powertrain are included in Total but not assigned to a row. A plus sign indicates a confirmed minimum; — means no complaints could be attributed to that specific powertrain. N/T = Not tested by NHTSA.
* Incidents = crash + fire reports. A single complaint can include multiple incident types.
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Common Questions
10 questions from 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA owners.
Disconnecting the Rack and pinion from the steering
Hello, I'm trying to disconnect the Rack and pinion from the steering as I have found a leak on the line that connects the 2 parts of it and need to remove it to look into it further, my issue is that even though I have unbolted all the bolts I don't understand how it will come off the steering shaft, do I just need to pull or do I need to unbolt something specific.
2000 mb E320 car will not crank with key fob
Ok car ignition switch operates,lights on dash and key fob locks and unlocks opens trunk but will not crank the car we have checked and manually operated start relay but no crank and while cranking no spark what gives alarm works tried locking and unlocking all tried leaving key on for 20 minutes nothing changed More than a week
No crank no start
My car was running fine until it got down to freezing point outside and then I went out to start the next day and my dash lights came on and my windows work but I have to jump the starter relay to start the car but it won’t shift outta 1st gear and my brake lights are staying on until I turn the ignition switch off but everything was fine b for the battery went dead and I changed the starter relay and still no crank no start….. Jumping the relay for the starter starts it but don’t shift outta 1st gear More than a month
Tumping Noise back right side
When driving slow and coming to a stop, my car make tumping noises, but when you drive at normal speed, it drives like a baby
New battery
My car won’t start when i turn the key over it don’t do nothing don’t make a sound but if i jump the starter relay with the car in the on position it’ll start but then when u drive it it won’t shift outta 1st gear my break lights stay on until i turn the car off all my dash lights come on like there supposed to and i got a check engine light on a abs lights stay comes on a bsa or something like that light comes on my srs light comes on and none of them turn off until i turn the key off all my windows work radio works seat memory still works and i haven’t had a battery on it in about a month a good one I’ve tried a couple diferent ones on it and none of the had enough juice to do anything but turn ones on it my dash lights and then it would die out i even tried jump starting the batterys but it still wouldn’t start the car the only way i can start it is by jumping the starter relay and i never had any of these problems until i changed the battery ooooo and my key fob isn’t working right When i jump start the starter relay makes it better but don’t shift outta 1st gear More than a month
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA?
Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA have transmission problems?
How expensive are the engine problems on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA?
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA better than the 2019 or 2021?
Don’t buy a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA does best on how many systems draw complaints (85/100) and worst on repair costs (40/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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