NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (1). The EPA rates it 29–126 mpg combined.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 CLA 350 4MATIC (EV) and CLA 250+ (EV) vehicles. The front passenger seat belt retractor may have been manufactured with a defect that prevents the deactivation of the child seat safety function (Automatic Locking Retractor). As a result, the seat belt may remain in a locked position and cannot be extended.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each CLA 250+ model year we’ve synced.
Only one model year synced so far.
“While driving at 50mph, the vehicle came to a full stop in 2 seconds by auto breaking (to avoid collision) when there was no object or vehicle in front of the car. I almost got rear-ended as stopping from 50mph to 0 mph on a highway was extremely dangerous but luckily the car behind me was able to use the lane to my right to avoid the collision. When the vehicle was taken to the service center, the computer systems showed no record of this incident. However, I do have a dashcam footage of it. In the video, you can clearly see a stopped car on the left turn lane (the break lights of the car is visible and the car is stationary when the video is analyzed frame by frame.) The driving lane is curving to the right and the vehicle is also turning to the right following the lane. (this is verified by following the double yellow line - then the single solid white line and vehicle's motion to the right.) Despite all this, the car slammed the breaks and stopped. The video is seen by the service center workers as well. They updated the software on the car at the time of service. An escalated ticket was also created with Mercedes corporate office with case number:…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLA250 Plus with EQ Tech (R22) Auto (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 127 | 124 | 126 | $600 | — |
| CLA250 Plus with EQ Tech Auto (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 112 | 105 | 109 | $700 | — |
| CLA250 Auto (AM8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 36 | 30 | $2,650 | 298 |
| CLA250 4matic Auto (AM8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 29 | $2,750 | 311 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ at 29–126 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).