Is the Lexus IS more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz CLA?

Based on our data, the Lexus IS is more reliable with an average score of 82/100 compared to 46/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Lexus IS or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?

The Mercedes-Benz CLA has more recalls (606) compared to the Lexus IS (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Lexus IS or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus IS has a lower complaint rate at 0.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 46 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Lexus IS

Excellent

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mixed

Choosing between the Lexus IS and the Mercedes-Benz CLA? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lexus IS currently leads with an average score of 82/100 compared to 46/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz CLA Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Lexus IS is in its third generation (XE30), which debuted in 2014 and received a significant facelift in 2020. This model is mature in its generation cycle, suggesting that many initial issues have likely been addressed, leading to improved reliability. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is in its second generation (C118), introduced in 2019 and updated with a facelift in 2023. Being relatively newer, the CLA may still be smoothing out initial teething issues, which is common with early-generation vehicles. Buyers might find the Lexus IS to be more well-sorted in terms of reliability due to its established platform.

Verdict

The Lexus IS is more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz CLA, scoring 82/100 vs 46/100.

The Lexus IS significantly outperforms the Mercedes-Benz CLA in reliability, with an average reliability score of 82/100 compared to the CLA's 46/100. The Lexus IS has a notably lower complaint rate at 0.7 per 10,000 sold, while the CLA experiences 46 complaints per 10,000 sold. Additionally, the CLA has been subjected to 606 recalls over seven years, a stark contrast to the Lexus IS's six recalls over nine years. These metrics highlight the Lexus IS as the more reliable choice, with fewer issues reported across various categories.

Key Differences

1Lexus IS has 600 fewer total recalls
2Lexus IS has 45.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Lexus IS scores 36 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Lexus IS

—

0Mercedes-Benz CLA

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA: Which Is More Reliable?

Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Lexus IS	Mercedes-Benz CLA
Reliability Score	82/100	46/100
Years Tracked	9	7
Total Recalls	6	606
Complaints per 10k Sold	0.7	46
Year Wins	6	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz CLA?

The Lexus IS demonstrates a notably low problem profile with only 44 total complaints, primarily concerning minor issues such as tires, structure, and unknown categories. In contrast, the Mercedes-Benz CLA faces a significantly higher volume of complaints, totaling 1775, with major issues concentrated in the electrical system, engine, and power train, along with a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints, particularly in the electrical system and air bags. The CLA's reliability concerns are further underscored by 11 crash-linked complaints in the electrical system and 13 in the air bags, suggesting potential safety risks not evident in the Lexus IS's complaint data. This comparison highlights the CLA's more pronounced challenges, especially in critical safety-related systems, compared to the Lexus IS's relatively minor issues.

Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA common problem areas comparison
Component	Lexus IS	Mercedes-Benz CLA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	—None	6.2Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	—None	4.8Average
ENGINE	—None	4.5Average
POWER TRAIN	—None	3Low
STEERING	—None	2.3Low
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	1.1Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	1Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.9Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.8Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.4Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.1Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.1Very Low
TIRES	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA Reliability Compare by Year?

Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Lexus IS	Mercedes-Benz CLA	Edge
2024	83/1000R / 3C	44/1008R / 23C	Lexus IS
2022	83/1000R / 13C	38/10076R / 272C	Lexus IS
2021	83/1000R / 1C	45/100149R / 318C	Lexus IS
2020	83/1000R / 3C	56/10062R / 110C	Lexus IS
2019	79/1004R / 8C	44/100196R / 523C	Lexus IS
2018	81/1002R / 6C	46/100115R / 529C	Lexus IS
2026(predicted)	83/100(predicted)	42/100(predicted)	Lexus IS

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Lexus IS scored 83/100 and the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA scored 56/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Lexus IS vs the Mercedes-Benz CLA?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Lexus IS is the clear choice. With a reliability score of 82/100 and only 6 recalls, it promises fewer headaches over time. The low owner complaints rate of 0.7 per 10,000 sold further indicates a track record of satisfied customers. While specific repair costs and frequencies aren't available, these indicators suggest fewer trips to the shop and potentially lower maintenance burdens. On the other hand, if you're drawn to the prestige of the Mercedes-Benz brand, be prepared for potential challenges with the CLA. Its reliability score of 46/100 and 606 recalls highlight significant concerns, particularly with the electrical system and engine. With 46 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, expect higher interaction with service centers. This model may suit you if you're willing to manage these issues for the brand's luxury appeal, but keep in mind the potential for increased costs and inconvenience.

Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA: Common Questions

Is the Lexus IS more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz CLA?: Based on our data, the Lexus IS is more reliable with an average score of 82/100 compared to 46/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Lexus IS or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?: The Mercedes-Benz CLA has more recalls (606) compared to the Lexus IS (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Lexus IS or the Mercedes-Benz CLA?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus IS has a lower complaint rate at 0.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 46 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Lexus IS comparisons

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More Mercedes-Benz CLA comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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