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2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Gas Compact car

202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Specs & fuel economyRecallsComplaintsCrash ratings
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100
FSafety Signal · 35 / 100
13Recalls · 1 critical
25Complaints · owner reports
Crash rating · NHTSA overall
28 mpgFuel economy · best combined

The 2020 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 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 25 complaints, most often about electrical system.

Specs & fuel economy (EPA)

ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
CLA250GasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo253528$2,750
CLA250 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233327$2,850
AMG CLA35 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo232925$3,100
AMG CLA45 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202923$3,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.

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Recalls (13)

Latches/Locks/Linkages

high
310,667 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-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.

Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers 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 26V481000 · reported Jul 24, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Equipment

high
42,742 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A220, 2020 CLA250, GLB250, AMG A35, AMG CLA45, AMG CLA35, and 2021 GLA250 vehicles. The vehicles may not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads. In addition, information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk: Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install an inspection gauge and provide supplemental owner's manual information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign 23V732000 · reported Nov 1, 2023 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Electrical System

minor
242,722 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-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.

Risk: A 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.

Fix: The 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 22V365000 · reported May 20, 2022 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Back Over Prevention

minor
126,443 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-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."

Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers 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 22V232000 · reported Apr 8, 2022 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

high
4 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 AMG CLA 35 and 2021 GLA 250 vehicles. The rear brake caliper housing fasteners may be loose, which can reduce brake performance or cause rear brake components to detach from the vehicle.

Risk: Reduced brake performance can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, detached brake components can create a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash for other drivers.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners on the rear brake caliper housings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign 22V125000 · reported Mar 4, 2022 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Steering

high
1 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling one 2020 CLA250 vehicle. The power supply connection to the electric power steering may have been contaminated with melted adhesive, which can cause the power steering assist to fail while driving.

Risk: A sudden loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: A dealer will inspect and repair the power supply connection, as necessary, free of charge. The owner notification letter was mailed January 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021120016.

NHTSA campaign 21V989000 · reported Dec 17, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Fuel System, Gasoline

critical
139 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.

NHTSA campaign 21V961000 · reported Dec 13, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Electrical System

minor
343,191 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-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."

Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: The 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 21V354000 · reported May 14, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Electrical System

high
7 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 CLA45 AMG vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder gasoline engines. Incorrect spark plugs may have been installed, which could come apart over time and cause engine damage.

Risk: Engine damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spark plugs, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign 21V124000 · reported Feb 26, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Communication

moderate
67 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.

Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.

NHTSA campaign 21V072000 · reported Feb 12, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Electrical System

minor
1,292,258 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-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.

Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Fix: MBUSA 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 21V058000 · reported Feb 5, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Electrical System

high
2,101 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 CLA250, CLA250 4MATIC and CLA35 AMG 4MATIC, 2020-2021 GLE350, GLE350 4MATIC, GLE450 4MATIC, GLS450 4MATIC and GLS580 4MATIC and 2021 GLE53 AMG Coupe, GLE63S AMG 4MATIC, GLS63 AMG 4MATIC and Maybach GLS600 4MATIC vehicles. The instrument cluster software may deactivate the illumination of certain interior switches (switch bar, overhead control unit, steering wheel) if the hazard lights are turned on and the ignition switch is in the 'off' position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

Risk: If the interior switches are not illuminated, they may be more difficult to find and operate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030019.

NHTSA campaign 20V089000 · reported Feb 14, 2020 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Air Bags

high
2,222 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A 220 and A 220 4MATIC, 2020 CLA 250, CLA 250 4 MATIC, GLC 300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC vehicles. The driver's side front airbag modules may not have been properly bolted down.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's front airbag, the airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver airbag module and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019100001.

NHTSA campaign 19V685000 · reported Sep 27, 2019 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Owner complaints

25 complaints filed

1 involved a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.

Filed by year — 2020: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 4

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System — 8
  • Back Over Prevention — 8
  • Unknown Or Other — 4
  • Engine — 4
  • Fuel/Propulsion System — 3
“While driving, the panoramic sunroof on my 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 4MATIC shattered unexpectedly while fully closed. The interior sunshade was also closed at the time. There was no prior damage and no discernible impact. I did not observe or hear anything strike the vehicle. The fracture pattern shows no identifiable…”Mar 30, 2026 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was blank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed for the rearview camera failure. The dealer informed the contact that the rear brake pads and discs had failed and needed to be replace…”Aug 6, 2025 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA owner report
“Nov 01,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number: 2024010010 NHTSA Recall Number: 23V732 Recall Status: Recall Incomplete The manufacturer has failed and is unable to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle in a timely manner.”Feb 17, 2024 · Service Brakes · 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

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

Other CLA-Class model years

A

2027 CLA-Class

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 CLA-Class

1 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2025 CLA-Class

0 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2024 CLA-Class

0 recalls · 2 complaints

A

2023 CLA-Class

1 recalls · 6 complaints

A

2022 CLA-Class

0 recalls · 4 complaints

C

2021 CLA-Class

6 recalls · 9 complaints

D

2019 CLA-Class

6 recalls · 22 complaints

F

2018 CLA-Class

10 recalls · 46 complaints

F

2017 CLA-Class

10 recalls · 27 complaints

F

2016 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 (ids 41997, 41996, 42417, 42651). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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