BestCarRank
Mercedes-Benz

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 6. The most common issue is electrical problems (67% of all complaints), specifically: the 2020 mercedes cls has a known defect in their 48v system that turns the engine off in locations with high het zones. i was told by the mercedes service department this has been occurring in arizona, new mexico, florida, nevada and saudi arabia. it's a know issue that they are unable to fix curr. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

6

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 3 of 3)

ELECTRICAL

4 complaints
67%
  • THE 2020 MERCEDES CLS HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THEIR 48V SYSTEM THAT TURNS THE ENGINE OFF IN LOCATIONS WITH HIGH HET ZONES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND SAUDI ARABIA. IT'S A KNOW ISSUE THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX CURR
  • The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V533000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable
  • The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V733000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

THE 2020 MERCEDES CLS HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THEIR 48V SYSTEM THAT TURNS THE ENGINE OFF IN LOCATIONS WITH HIGH HET ZONES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND SAUDI ARABIA. IT'S A KNOW ISSUE THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX CURR

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (4)

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 2020 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 2020 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 2020 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
WHEELS(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ELECTRICAL: THE 2020 MERCEDES CLS HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THEIR 48V SYSTEM THAT TURNS THE ENGINE OFF IN LOCATIONS WITH HIGH HET ZONES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND SAUDI ARABIA. IT'S A KNOW ISSUE THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX CURR

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

  • ENGINE: THE 2020 MERCEDES CLS HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THEIR 48V SYSTEM THAT TURNS THE ENGINE OFF IN LOCATIONS WITH HIGH HET ZONES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MERCEDES SERVICE DEPARTMENT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND SAUDI ARABIA. IT'S A KNOW ISSUE THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX CURR

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

  • WHEELS: I purchased my 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 with approximately 12,000 miles on 08/16/2022. Throughout the course of my ownership the vehicle has had multiple sets of tires replaced due to them either being prematurely bald, developing multiple bubbles, or shredding due to cracked rims. Along with the

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

  • RECALLS: Verify all 4 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 2020 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
6
Recalls
4
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
6

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450