Carsieve All versions
At a glance
- Years: built 2013 to 2019, with a facelift in 2016. CLA-specific sources are few, so this list is short on purpose. No Shooting Brake fault was found.
- Reliability: 3/5. Several recalls touch airbags, the brake booster and fuel lines, and the diesel and gearbox need checks.
- DIY: 2/5. Recall papers, the warning light and a look at the fuel lines are simple. Airbag, diesel and gearbox work needs a workshop.
- Prefer: a car with every recall campaign closed by VIN, dealer records and proof of the diesel software update.
- Avoid: an airbag warning light at start-up, or no record of the airbag, starter or fuel-line campaigns.
Engines and gearboxes
- Petrol M270 (1.6 and 2.0): chain, camshaft and thermostat faults are in the guide. See the M270 guide.
- OM651 diesel (CLA 200 d, 220 CDI/d): timing chain stretch and the 2014 tensioner seal. See the OM651 guide.
- K9K 1.5 dCi (CLA 180 CDI / 180 d): no guide exists. German press names it OM607. The timing belt interval is disputed; see Maintenance.
- 7G-DCT dual-clutch (724.0): jerky low-speed shifts and clutch wear. See the 7G-DCT guide.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering column airbag fires unintentionally | Built 2013 to July 2017 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Airbag may not deploy | Built August 2016 to March 2017 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Brake booster vacuum connector | Built up to April 2013 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Starter current limiter | Built 2014 to 2017 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Diesel high-pressure fuel line | Diesel, built October to November 2015 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Diesel emissions software update | All diesel CLAs | Not stated | Software update, no price given |
| Seat belt bolts with wrong torque | 2014 recall, 193 vehicles worldwide (B-Class and CLA), build years not given | Not stated | Workshop visit of up to 2 hours; no price |
Before you buy
- Check open campaigns by VIN (no tools). Ask a Mercedes dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns on the airbags, brake booster, starter and fuel lines. Bad: any open campaign, or no written answer.
- Airbag warning light (needs a scanner). Switch the ignition on. The airbag light should go out after a few seconds. A scanner reads stored airbag faults. Bad: a lit light, or stored airbag faults.
- Diesel fuel lines (no tools). On a 2015 diesel, open the bonnet and look at the high-pressure lines for cracks, wet spots or a fuel smell. Bad: any crack or leak.
- Starter record (no tools). On a 2014 to 2017 car, ask for the record of the starter current limiter campaign. Bad: no record.
- Diesel software record (no tools). On any diesel, ask for the dealer record of the emissions software update. Bad: no record. Without the update, German press says the car can be stopped.
- Brake pedal (test drive). On an empty road at low speed, brake gently. Bad: the pedal needs extra pressure.
- Seat belt record (no tools). Ask for proof that the seat belt bolt torque check was done under the 2014 campaign. Bad: no record.
Running costs
| Operational | €159 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €135 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €164 |
| Total per month | €458 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €95 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 839
- 25th percentile
- €12,000
- Median price
- €14,600
- 75th percentile
- €16,990
- Median mileage
- 148,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2015
- Dealer share
- 59.8%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €16,910
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Steering column airbag fires unintentionally
The driver's airbag may go off by itself. In extreme cases this can injure the driver. RAC names insufficient grounding of the airbag electrics in the steering column. gebrauchtwagenberater.de names a damaged cable in the same place.
Built from the start of production in 2013 to July 2017 (RAC). gebrauchtwagenberater.de says up to 2017.
Sources: RAC, Mercedes-Benz CLA (2013-2018) used car review, gebrauchtwagenberater, Mercedes CLA W117 Probleme
Airbag may not deploy
The airbag may not fire in a crash. The cause is named as the airbag igniters. RAC counts four airbag recalls that cover some cars built from August 2016 to March 2017. gebrauchtwagenberater.de gives 2016 and 2017.
Sources: RAC, Mercedes-Benz CLA (2013-2018) used car review, gebrauchtwagenberater, Mercedes CLA W117 Probleme
Brake booster vacuum connector
The vacuum connector on the brake booster can fail. The driver then has to press the brake pedal harder. RAC covers very early CLAs built up to April 2013. gebrauchtwagenberater.de gives production up to April 2013 and names the M270 and OM651 engines.
Sources: RAC, Mercedes-Benz CLA (2013-2018) used car review, gebrauchtwagenberater, Mercedes CLA W117 Probleme
Starter current limiter
gebrauchtwagenberater.de names a starter current limiter recall for cars built 2014 to 2017. The risk is overheating and fire.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater, Mercedes CLA W117 Probleme, carwiki, Mercedes CLA: Probleme und Rückrufe
Diesel high-pressure fuel line
The high-pressure fuel lines on diesels built from October to November 2015 can crack. German press gives a higher fire risk. The engine is not named.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater, Mercedes CLA W117 Probleme, carwiki, Mercedes CLA: Probleme und Rückrufe
Diesel emissions software update
German press says all CLA diesels are affected by the emissions issue. The RAC says diesel CLAs had a voluntary recall to change the software and limit NOx (nitrogen oxides). Ask the seller whether it was done. The fix is a software update. German press says a car without it can be shut down.
Sources: RAC, Mercedes-Benz CLA (2013-2018) used car review, gebrauchtwagenberater, Mercedes CLA W117 Probleme, carwiki, Mercedes CLA: Probleme und Rückrufe
Seat belt bolts with wrong torque
In 2014, a recall covered 193 vehicles worldwide, B-Class and CLA. The bolts that hold the seat belts may not have been tightened to the right torque (turning force) at the factory. Owners were contacted. A workshop visit of up to two hours checks and adjusts the bolts.
Sources: MBpassion, CLA und B-Klasse Rückruf wegen Gurtverschraubung, carwiki, Mercedes CLA: Probleme und Rückrufe, gebrauchtwagenberater, Mercedes CLA W117 Probleme
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK (RAC) and Germany (press) | not given | 2013 to July 2017 (UK); up to 2017 (Germany) | Steering column airbag: grounding or damaged cable; the driver's airbag can fire by itself. Remedy not given. |
| UK (RAC) and Germany (press) | not given | August 2016 to March 2017 (UK); 2016 and 2017 (Germany) | Airbag igniters: the airbag may not deploy. Remedy not given. |
| UK (RAC) and Germany (press) | not given | Built up to April 2013 | Brake booster vacuum connector can fail; more pedal force needed. Remedy not given. |
| Germany (two press sites) | not given | Built 2014 to 2017 | Starter current limiter: overheating and fire risk. Remedy not given. |
| Germany (two press sites) | not given | Built October to November 2015 | Diesel high-pressure fuel lines can crack: fire risk. Remedy not given. |
| UK (RAC) and Germany (two press sites) | not given | Diesel CLAs, years not given | Emissions software update to limit NOx. Remedy is the software update. |
| Germany (three press sites) | not given | Not given; 2014 campaign, 193 vehicles worldwide | Seat belt bolt torque: workshop check and adjustment, up to 2 hours. |
| Germany (two press sites) | not given | Diesel, 2012 to 2014 | Chain tensioner seal leaks oil (OM651). Remedy not given. |
| Germany (two press sites) | not given | Built 2015 (petrol M270) | Camshafts with a faulty weld seam; risk of breakage. Camshafts replaced. |
The UK model-year list on GOV.UK shows no CLA recalls. That conflicts with the press, and it is not a VIN check. Auto Express counts 25 recalls on the CLA but gives no campaign numbers. Ask a Mercedes dealer to check open campaigns by VIN before you buy.
Maintenance
- Diesel software: keep the dealer record of the emissions software update. Without it, German press says the car can be stopped.
- K9K timing belt: two sources give different intervals for the shared engine (A-Class W176 source, shared engine). One says 200,000 km or 10 years; the other says 100,000 km or 5 years. Follow the service book.
Sources
English
- RAC, Mercedes-Benz CLA (2013-2018) used car review
- Auto Express, used Mercedes CLA Mk1 review, problems and recalls
- GOV.UK recall checker, CLA 2014
German
- gebrauchtwagenberater, Mercedes CLA W117 Probleme
- carwiki, Mercedes CLA: Probleme und Rückrufe
- MBpassion, CLA und B-Klasse Rückruf wegen Gurtverschraubung
- gebrauchtwagenberater, A-Klasse W176 Probleme (A-Class W176 source, shared engine)
- carwiki, A-Klasse Probleme (A-Class W176 source, shared engine)