36 of the
519 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz CLA250
are about the transmission —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
36
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
Component or System That Failed or Malfunctioned: The component that failed was the partial-load ventilation valve, which is part of the engine’s crankcase ventilation system. This valve is responsible for regulating airflow and pressure within the crankcase during partial engine loads. A malfunction in this valve can lead to increased engine pressure, oil leaks, and potential damage to engine components. The component is still available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The failure of the partial-load ventilation valve put my safety, and that of others, at risk in the following ways: •Engine stalling or reduced power while driving, especially during acceleration, which increases the risk of an accident. •In some cases, oil leakage caused by excess crankcase pressure could lead to engine compartment smoke or a potential fire hazard. •If the engine performance is compromised, it may suddenly lose power on highways or intersections, posing a serious risk. Problem Reproduced or Confirmed: Yes, the issue was confirmed. The technician verified the faulty valve during a diagnostic inspection after I noticed performance issues and warning messages. Inspected by Manufacturer, Dealer, or Others: Yes, the vehicle was inspected Warning Lamps, Messages, or Other Symptoms: Yes, there were warning signs prior to the failure: •Check Engine Light illuminated on the dashboard. •Engine running rough or hesitating, particularly during acceleration.
NHTSA complaint #11667130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In November 2024, while at a stop, the car shut off. A few weeks later, while driving the car over speed tables/humps, the car shifted from drive into neutral. No warning or error lights appeared on the dashboard. It just showed that the car was now in neutral. I was able to shift back into drive and continue. Fortunately, I was in a residential neighborhood, going about 10 miles per hour and had only one car behind me. This happened again in December, with the same scenario and on the same road, so I took the car to the dealer. They did a diagnostic and was not able to duplicate the problem, but said there were some error codes and it could possibly be the starter, auxiliary battery or transmisson service, since I had not done one. They also stated there was a Coolant Thermostat electrical fault code. They scheduled me to come back in January 2025 since I needed a loaner car. They kept my car for a couple of days to do a more detailed diagnostic. In the end they replaced the auxiliary battery and did a transmission service because they could not replicate the problem. Said that there was nothing in the transmission fluid of concern and, the starter code had not returned. Stated that it could have been an electrical fluke. No other codes were showing. They did say that some time in the future I would need a coolant thermostat. Car ran well for a few weeks and then in February 2025, going over the same road with speed humps, the car went into neutral. The car has been in the shop for the last 7 days and they are trying to figure out what is happening. I am submitting this because I found many other people posting on forums about having the same issue. My concern is what will happen if my car moves into neutral while I am going at a high speed. It puts me, my family and others lives in danger if my car stops suddenly.
NHTSA complaint #11643769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When we are driving the transmission slip intro neutral ramdomly message appear « do not shift in gear, visit dealer » we need to stop the car on the high way put it in park and after in drive . Its happen really often and my wife d’ont want to drive it any more because its to dangerous with kid, we need a solution
NHTSA complaint #11606153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The head unit for the sound system begins a reset loop when navigating radio station and/or connecting bluetooth device. Seems to be a glitch in the head unit software. This is preventing use of navigation/GPS screen, backup camera, and Bluetooth connection.
NHTSA complaint #11585060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Please let me preface this by saying that I am a certified aircraft mechanic and have a good working knowledge of cars. My vehicle had NO prior indications, symptoms or abnormalities! This was completely out of the blue. Absolutely no warning that this was going to happen. The transmission of my 2014 CLA 250 Base model, while operating at 65mph on the interstate, all on its own, went into neutral and now will not engage into Drive. Initially following this incident, as I dogged the other vehicles on the interstate and coasted to the emergency lane, there were the following warning lights: ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, PARKING BRAKE accompanied with the alerts….PRE-SAFE Functions Limited, ABS/TRACTION CONTROL Currently Unavailable See O.M., Parking Brake See O.M. I then took it to the MB dealership and after they attempted transmission adaptation (which was not successful) they showed me the following fault codes: 079200-RPM sensor 1 has a malfunction, 287C00-Adaptation was not completed successfully. The alerts now state….Service Required: Do Not Shift Gears, visit dealer. The dealer wanted to change the transmission. I refused. I have had zero noticeable issues with the transmission with 72,000 miles. I had the transmission fluid replaced at 65,000 miles. I baby the car. I shouldn’t need to explain the dangers of a vehicle, while driving, randomly shifting into neutral, and not being able to be shifted back into Drive. I attempted all possible means of shifting the automatic transmission into drive, including the use of manual gear selection, and none of them worked, even after shutting the vehicle off and restarting multiple times. This is an extremely DANGEROUS malfunction!!
NHTSA complaint #11549049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently shift into neutral(N). The contact also stated that the check engine warning light flashed on the instrument panel after the second failure. The contact called the dealer and scheduled an appointment with the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
NHTSA complaint #11524845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I just got the vehicle it’s losing power already, I was driving up a hill as a school bus was behind me, and my car started losing power and rolling back. I have a transmission issue they sold it this way also electrical.
NHTSA complaint #11469754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Got a check engine light at 72,047 miles. Looked up the code at autozone and it is a P052E. After googling this code, discovered this is an EXTREMELY common issue with 2015 & 2016 c and cla class mercedes. (see here https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w205/739851-check-engine-code-p052e-2.html). This is a ventilation issue with the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance. This is a VERY expensive fix despite seemingly being a VERY common issue at this mileage for these cars. This seems to be a defective part that Mercedes installed at the factory as no one ever gets this message after having their original valve replaced. Without the fix, this will cause oil to become sludgy and perhaps cause engine to seize or smoke.
NHTSA complaint #11465309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes Benz CLA 250. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed. The contact stated that the gear shifted into neutral independently when driving at low speeds. The contact was able to switch the gear back into drive when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic; however, the contact did not have the information on the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was. 65,828.
NHTSA complaint #11421996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes Benz CLA 250. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed. The contact stated that the gear shifted into neutral independently when driving at low speeds. The contact was able to switch the gear back into drive when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic; however, the contact did not have the information on the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was. 65,828.
NHTSA complaint #11421996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE AFTER STARTING WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR FROM PARK. THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH READ "SERVICE REQUIRED DO NOT SHIFT GEARS VISIT DEALER". THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE PUT IN GEAR TO DRIVE OR NEUTRAL ONLY PARK..
NHTSA complaint #11416514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WILL PUT ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. IT'S HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WE'VE BROUGHT THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP EACH TIME IT'S HAPPENED YET IT STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND MERCEDES NEEDS TO LOOK INTO A FIX ASAP BEFORE THEY HAVE A LAWSUIT ON THEIR HANDS. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAS ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED! SO FAR, TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE ABOUT THE VEHICLE PUTTING ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL THE DEALERSHIP DID A TRANSMISSION CONTROL UPDATE AND REPLACED THE VALVE BODY. IT'S NOW BACK FOR A THIRD TIME AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WE'VE TOLD THEM THAT WE AREN'T PICKING IT BACK UP UNTIL THEY CAN GUARANTEE TEE THE ISSUE HAS BEEN FIXED. WHEN THE VEHICLE PUTS ITSELF IN NUETRAL THE 'PRE-SAFE FUNCTION LIMITED' APPEARS ON THE DASH. ALSO, IT'S HARD TO RECREATE THE ISSUE AS IT ONLY APPEARS RANDOMLY.
NHTSA complaint #11353256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ML 250 BLU TECH DIESEL. 55,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY MAINTAINED ONLY BY MERCEDES BENZ AND EVERY RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAD BEEN COMPLETED TIMELY BY ONLY MERCEDES BENZ. 1 MONTH OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY MERCEDES 30 DAYS PRIOR AND GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. NO WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON PRIOR TO OR DURING THE INCIDENT. THIS COMPLAINT IS VERY SIMILAR TO ANOTHER ON YOUR WEBSITE ALSO INVOLVING THE SAME PARTS. VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A MAJOR 4 WAY INTERSECTION. WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN A HORRIBLE LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JUST SEIZED. WHEN I TRIED TO GO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK, STEERING WAS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT. THE CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TOWED TO MERCEDES. DIAGNOSES WAS FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BROKEN AND 2 REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN SIMULTANEOUSLY. I HAVE HAD MANY VEHICLES NEVER HAD I HEARD OF A DRIVE SHAFT BREAKING AT 55,000 AND CERTAINLY NEVER SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH REAR COIL SPRINGS. THE CAR IS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, NO TOWING NO EXCESSIVE WEIGHT, ETC. MERCEDES WAS CONTACTED, THE OFFERED A 5% DISCOUNT AS A "GOOD WILL" GESTURE BUT REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND ADVISED THIS WAS NOT PART OF A PRIOR RECALL. THEY FURTHER STATED WHEN THE CAR WAS CHECKED 30 DAYS PRIOR THE DRIVE SHAFT AND COIL SPRINGS ARE NOT DISCOVER-ABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11343136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON THIS DAY, I WAS NEARLY KILLED IN MY 2014 MERCEDES CLA250 4MATIC THAT STALLED ON A HIGHWAY IN NEW YORK CITY. THE CAR HAS ROUGHLY 40,300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS DRIVING ON THE BROOKLYN QUEENS EXPRESSWAY AT 4:00AM. THE CAR'S MOTOR STALLED AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP IN THE LEFT LANE. THERE WERE NO SHOULDERS. I ATTEMPTED TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED BUT ALL I GOT WERE FLASHING DASHBOARD LIGHTS. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT UP A WARNING TRIANGLE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR, BUT THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING TOO QUICKLY FOR ME TO SAFELY DO THAT. I SAT IN MY CAR AND BUCKLED MY SEAT BELT. I CALLED 911 TO ANNOUNCE MY EMERGENCY AND I CONTACTED MY CAR'S INSURER FOR A TOW TRUCK (THEY PROVIDE SUCH A SERVICE). WITHIN MOMENTS, A TOYOTA WITH TLC PLATES SMASHED INTO MY CAR SENDING ME INTO THE BARRIER. THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS BROKEN AND DEFORMED. THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS OKAY, BUT THE APPEARANCE OF THE REAR IS SUCH THAT I BELIEVE I LOST MY CAR. I READ ONLINE THAT THIS MODEL HAS A STALLING PROBLEM AND THAT OTHERS HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS. I WAS ONE OF THE UNLUCKY OWNERS AND I WILL BE SUING. THIS CAR'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I AM INJURED AND BEING TREATED IN A HOSPITAL.
NHTSA complaint #11340450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE TRAVELING WITH MY WIFE AND NEWBORN ON HIGHWAY 64 MY 2014 CLA MB CUT OFF( WHILE IN MOTION ) AND GAVE A CODE 'DO NOT SHIFT GEARS 'VISIT DEALER. SOMEHOW THE CAR SWITCH TO NETURAL WHILE I COAST THE CAR TO A SAFE EDGE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE TERRIFIED!! NEXT IT GAVE A TRANSMISSION CODE IN RED TO DO NOT SHIFT VISIT DEALER. I'M NOT SURE IF ANY RECALLS BUT THIS IS A SAFETY THAT NEEDS ATTENTION!!
NHTSA complaint #11340128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE MAKING A U TURN ON FL-881 FOREST HILLS BLVD , THE HALF SHAFT FAILED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO DIS ENGAGE... WHILE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS HEADING TOWARD ME. ATTACHED COPY OF MAPS.
NHTSA complaint #11193961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MAKING A U TURN , ON 3 LANE BLVD, A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAPPENED AND COASTED TO HALT. UPON HALT, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE, DRIVE OR REVERSE. HAD THERE BEEN HEAVY ON COMING TRAFFIC, I WOULD HAVE BEEN T-BONED CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS WITH DEALERSHIP UNDER REPAIR AND EVALUATION.
NHTSA complaint #11191962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2016 MERCEDES BENZ CLA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND DROVE ROUGHLY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING A FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #11161569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.