BestCarRank
Mercedes-Benz

2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 has 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.8x the segment average of 6. The most common issue is wheels problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2019 mercedes-benz cls450. the contact stated that the vehicle's wheels were not designed for daily driving. the rims were bending underneath the vehicle while it was in motion, which caused a bumpy ride. the vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of massapequa (101 sunrise hwy, a. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

17

Total Complaints

6

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

WHEELS

5 complaints
29%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR DAILY DRIVING. THE RIMS WERE BENDING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION, WHICH CAUSED A BUMPY RIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA (101 SUNRISE HWY, A
  • • I AM ALSO HAVING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM ISSUE AS STATED IN: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11280637
  • • I had a slow leak in the rear passenger tire for a few weeks now so I took it to the neighborhood tire shop. No nail or puncture was discovered but a hairline crack in the rear wheel. The tire shop manager advised me to call the dealership and ask the part to be replaced as this is a very low mile
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR DAILY DRIVING. THE RIMS WERE BENDING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION, WHICH CAUSED A BUMPY RIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA (101 SUNRISE HWY, A”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450

Based on 10 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 1K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
8
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 (6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE05/02/2021

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,847
Per month
$154
Per mile
15.4¢
MPG
26
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,001/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,549/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
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 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450

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.
Full coverage / year
$2,143
Full coverage / month
$179
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+28%
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 age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$2143

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 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 2019 CLS 450, 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

WHEELS(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
TIRES(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 17 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    WHEELS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR DAILY DRIVING. THE RIMS WERE BENDING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION, WHICH CAUSED A BUMPY RIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MASSAPEQUA (101 SUNRISE HWY, A

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: While driving on an interstate highway, I received a yellow "48V Battery malfunction" notice. Because this battery had failed before, I had read on internet forums that the car could just stop working, so I took the next exit (about 3-4 miles). At the top of the ramp, I had a red "Battery Malfunct

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    STEERING: UPON DRIVING OVER CERTAIN BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE SUSPENSION HAS THE SENSATION THAT THE WHEELS AND/OR LUG NUTS ARE LOOSE. THIS PRODUCES A DISTURBING SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT THAT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE LACKS CONTROL. THIS CONDITION IS RELATED TO THE FACT THAT ROTORS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY; TWO SETS IN 4

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    SUSPENSION: UPON DRIVING OVER CERTAIN BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE SUSPENSION HAS THE SENSATION THAT THE WHEELS AND/OR LUG NUTS ARE LOOSE. THIS PRODUCES A DISTURBING SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT THAT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE LACKS CONTROL. THIS CONDITION IS RELATED TO THE FACT THAT ROTORS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY; TWO SETS IN 4

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 — Year Comparison

How does 2019 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2022
5Excellent Reliability
2020
6Above Average
2019
17Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
17
Recalls
6
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
6

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450

Compare With

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