2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 has 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: as i accelerated out of a left turn, the engine suddenly shut off, the transmission shifted into neutral, and the dash indicated that the vehicle was 'inoperable'. i pulled over and turned off the ignition. when i attempted to restart, the vehicle started with no issues..
11
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ENGINE
3 complaints- • AS I ACCELERATED OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 'INOPERABLE'. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES.
- • ACCELERATING OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE CAR HESITATED MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) ISSUE.
- • Regarding 2018 CLA 45 AMG: On 9-21-21, while I was driving approximately 45 MPH on a 4 lane road, suddenly the car completely shut down. A message simultaneously popped up that the car was disabled and instructed me to look up in manual. Immediately I turned right into the first driveway where the c
“AS I ACCELERATED OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 'INOPERABLE'. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
3 complaints- • WE WERE ADVISED MERCEDES-BENZ IS ISSUING A RECALL DUE TO MOLD EXISTING IN THE FACTORY HVAC SYSTEM FROM A LAW FIRM MAILER. WHEN CONTACTING MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY STATED THEY ARE OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD US A RECALL WOULD BE TAKING PLACE AROUND JANUARY 2021. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER 2018 AND
- • Manufacturer has not fixed the outstanding software safety recall in a timely fashion. I have contacted them over 10 times and no one has any idea when the software update will be sent and there is no one they can escalate the issue to. I use the car for work, but I am not allowed to use a car with
- • The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue however, the contact was informed that the part wa
“WE WERE ADVISED MERCEDES-BENZ IS ISSUING A RECALL DUE TO MOLD EXISTING IN THE FACTORY HVAC SYSTEM FROM A LAW FIRM MAILER. WHEN CONTACTING MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY STATED THEY ARE OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD US A RECALL WOULD BE TAKING PLACE AROUND JANUARY 2021. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER 2018 AND ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
2 complaints- • ACCELERATING OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE CAR HESITATED MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) ISSUE.
- • Regarding 2018 CLA 45 AMG: On 9-21-21, while I was driving approximately 45 MPH on a 4 lane road, suddenly the car completely shut down. A message simultaneously popped up that the car was disabled and instructed me to look up in manual. Immediately I turned right into the first driveway where the c
“ACCELERATING OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE CAR HESITATED MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) ISSUE.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
2 complaints- • The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue however, the contact was informed that the part wa
- • Regarding 2018 CLA 45 AMG: On 9-21-21, while I was driving approximately 45 MPH on a 4 lane road, suddenly the car completely shut down. A message simultaneously popped up that the car was disabled and instructed me to look up in manual. Immediately I turned right into the first driveway where the c
“The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue however, the contact was informed that the part wa”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
1 complaints- • ACCELERATING OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE CAR HESITATED MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) ISSUE.
“ACCELERATING OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE CAR HESITATED MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) ISSUE.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 11 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: AS I ACCELERATED OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 'INOPERABLE'. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: WE WERE ADVISED MERCEDES-BENZ IS ISSUING A RECALL DUE TO MOLD EXISTING IN THE FACTORY HVAC SYSTEM FROM A LAW FIRM MAILER. WHEN CONTACTING MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY STATED THEY ARE OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD US A RECALL WOULD BE TAKING PLACE AROUND JANUARY 2021. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER 2018 AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: ACCELERATING OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE CAR HESITATED MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) ISSUE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue however, the contact was informed that the part wa
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 — Year Comparison
How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45