Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 reliable?

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 has 94 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

Top problems: OTHER (19 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (16 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (11 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

Yes, there are 8 recall(s): COMMUNICATION, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 gets 30 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1600. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 has 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 83. The most common issue is other problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: *** i don't own this car. *** mercedes sent the remote access credentials to an unverified email account. the remote access app shows vehicle location, allowing unlock and vehicle start which could allow the vehicle to be easily stolen. also i fear that by not securely sending remote access credent. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year.

6 crash reports 5 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

19 complaints

20%

• *** I DON'T OWN THIS CAR. *** MERCEDES SENT THE REMOTE ACCESS CREDENTIALS TO AN UNVERIFIED EMAIL ACCOUNT. THE REMOTE ACCESS APP SHOWS VEHICLE LOCATION, ALLOWING UNLOCK AND VEHICLE START WHICH COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE EASILY STOLEN. ALSO I FEAR THAT BY NOT SECURELY SENDING REMOTE ACCESS CREDENT
• THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WITH A LARGE NOISE RAINING GLASS DOWN ON US. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND, NO OBJECTS HIT THE SUNROOF. WE WERE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WAS STARTLING LIKE AN EXPLOSION AND COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. TH
• I LEASED THIS VEHICLE END OF SEPTEMBER 2016 BUT HAVE REPLACED TIRES 6 TIMES WITHIN LAST TWO YEARS DUE TO BUBBLE IN SIDE OF THE TIRES. I DON'T THINK IT IS ISSUE WITH TIRES SINCE I HAVE 2016 BMW WITH SAME TIRES WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. IT COULD THE RIM SIZE OR THE SUSPENSION ON THIS VEHICLE CAUSE TIRES TO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“*** I DON'T OWN THIS CAR. *** MERCEDES SENT THE REMOTE ACCESS CREDENTIALS TO AN UNVERIFIED EMAIL ACCOUNT. THE REMOTE ACCESS APP SHOWS VEHICLE LOCATION, ALLOWING UNLOCK AND VEHICLE START WHICH COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE EASILY STOLEN. ALSO I FEAR THAT BY NOT SECURELY SENDING REMOTE ACCESS CREDENT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

Based on 38 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 37K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 45K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (8)

COMMUNICATION01/11/2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,600

Per month

$133

Per mile

13.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 155K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

4 yr / 50K mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2016 CLA250, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 94 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: *** I DON'T OWN THIS CAR. *** MERCEDES SENT THE REMOTE ACCESS CREDENTIALS TO AN UNVERIFIED EMAIL ACCOUNT. THE REMOTE ACCESS APP SHOWS VEHICLE LOCATION, ALLOWING UNLOCK AND VEHICLE START WHICH COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE EASILY STOLEN. ALSO I FEAR THAT BY NOT SECURELY SENDING REMOTE ACCESS CREDENT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: IF SOMETHING IN THE ROADWAY HITS THE OIL PAN IT WILL CRACK AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP WITHOUT NOTICE. IT SEEMS THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING PROTECTING THE OIL PAN PREVENTING THIS FROM HAPPENING AND MORE TIME NOTIFYING OF LOW OIL SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD WAY AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA250. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO OPER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: "TAKATA RECALL" THE DRIVER WAS KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON MARCH 21ST 2018 AND THE CAR WAS ON A RECALL. THE ACCIDENT WAS AT OCKECHOBEE ROAD, MIAMI, FL WITH 11TH STREET. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THE DRIVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES-BENZ IN NOVEMBER 2017 STATING THAT THE CAR HAD AN INSUFFICIENT EL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)