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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,870 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #15

Mar 132015

CLA250

  • 12,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car showed "pre-safe unavailable" and showed that the stability control off light on the dash. It went into "limp" mode just before a dangerous Y shaped intersection where I was turning to the left leg of the Y and the oncoming traffic was from the right side of the Y. the car was almost totally unresponsive to throttle inputs, and as I had to slow down to see down the hill to the right side of the Y, acceleration across the intersection was less than normal walking speed. Luckily, there was no traffic coming to the right or behind me. Dealer was unable to find the cause. I traded the car in for the next year model due to feeling unsafe driving it.

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #14

Mar 152015

CLA250

  • 1,600 miles
I lease a 2014 Mercedes Benz Cla250. While driving at 70 mph, the engine stalled as the message board displayed inoperative pre safe functions limited see owners manual. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1600.

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #13

Mar 072015

CLA250

  • 8,300 miles
I was driving on a busy surface street in los angeles when my car lost all acceleration and the message popped up, "inoperable, see manual". I tried to push the gas pedal to quickly move over to the right lane where I could put on my hazard lights but I could not accelerate. I turned off the car quickly and started it again and it went back to working for now. I am terrified for this to happen again, especially because if it happened on a los angeles freeway, I could easily be killed. I am 8 months pregnant and fear for my safety and the safety of my child.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 062015

CLA250

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The pre safe mode has happened 5 times on my cla 250 since I bought the car last January. I think the pre safe mode is not safe at all. All of a sudden, the car just lost power, no any feedback when I stepped the gas pedal, the best thing is the brake still worked. After restarting the car, the car went well but the engine light was on. However, after two days, the engine light was off so I didn't even have a chance to show to the dealer. It's very dangerous to drive this car on high way, especially in traffic jam.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 262014

CLA250

  • 11,000 miles
Vehicle lost acceleration twice within a quarter mile distance on freeway after approximately 10 minutes of driving time. This is a second occurrence of same problem. Vehicle displayed pre-safe inoperative error message. After pulling over and restarting the engine, the issue was resolved for a short distance. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where the entire accelerator pedal assembly was replaced. My family is very skeptical of this cars reliability and is seeking options with attorney under state lemon laws.

- Girard, OH, USA

problem #10

Dec 132014

CLA250

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes Benz Cla250. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensor software failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #9

Oct 172014

CLA250

  • 15,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On October 17, 2014, vehicle 'pre safe functions limited, inoperative' light came on the vehicle while driving on interstate at approximately 50-60 mph. Vehicle would not accelerate so coasted to side of interstate and came to a stop. Tried to accelerate from a stop, car would only move at a few mph and the transmission felt like it was stuck in the highest gear. Turned car off and back on. Problem seemed to reset and was able to drive home. Did not take to dealership for this incident due to reading about others' experience and that dealerships are unable to replicate.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #8

Sep 102014

CLA250 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
On September 10, 2014 and September 21, 2014, vehicle 'pre safe functions limited, inoperative' light comes on the vehicle and the vehicle loses power. Both times driving approximately 50-60 mph. First time driving on street and was able to coast home. Second time I was on major highway....very dangerous! unable to accelerate both times. Took vehicle into local dealership on September 11th, they were unable to replicate issue and returned car. Did not drive vehicle for 1 week due to travel, returned and within 2 days of driving the car, error message returned and I was unable to accelerate car. To get the car to function, must turn the vehicle off and back on and then it drive-able. Vehicle is currently back at the dealership for repair. This issue actually occurred several weeks prior but I did not report to the dealership because the light came on and quickly went back off. Also experienced slow acceleration issues when moving from a complete stop.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #7

Sep 022014

CLA250

  • 5,000 miles
As I was driving on the highway around 65 miles per hour, the vehicle's check engine came up and said " inoperative, pre safe inactive" I freaked out. I was at highways speeds and it was inoperative. I noticed that the power steering was affected and the vehicle was unresponsive when I accelerated. The ABS system was disabled, I was scared even to brake because I know that when the ABS system is disabled the brakes can lock up and cause an accident, injuries and even death. I have noticed that many Cla250 owners have the same problem.

- Lynwood, CA, USA

problem #6

Aug 082014

CLA250

  • 5,200 miles
Traveling approximately 15mph and slowly accelerating, vehicle became completely unresponsive to throttle input, and engine remained at idle speed. Displayed showed the messages "pre-safe inoperable" and "see owner's manual." After the engine was shut off and restarted, the car drove normally. It was taken into the dealer for inspection and repair, and was returned to me after the service adviser advised me that they could "find no codes." The very same error occurred a few days later. This time the service adviser said that error codes were found, that there was a "conflict in the programming", that all of the hardware checked out, and that "reprogramming the module" will fix it. 36 hours later it occurred again. This time the adviser said that a Mercedes Benz service database indicated that the problem was with a wiring harness in the throttle, and that replacing that harness will fix the problem.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #5

Feb 092014

CLA250 4-cyl

  • 991 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have partial video if this incident. Incident occurred at 991 odometer miles. After driving approx. ~300 mostly contiguous, flat, rural highway miles in-between Lincoln, ne and St. Louis, mo (heading to atlanta, ga) in approx. 30 weather on dry pavement, the engine stopped producing enough engine power to propel the vehicle at the 70-75 mph that I was traveling. At approx. 60-65 mph, I applied additional pressure to the gas pedal which was not effective. Pushing the gas pedal to the floor did nothing except, occasionally, the transmission would switch quickly in-between the same two gears, which registered slightly on the tachometer but did nothing to accelerate the vehicle or maintain speed. It almost felt as if the traction control was activating (but malfunctioning) despite the ground being totally dry. By approx. 50 mph I was being flanked and tailgated by two clearly disgruntled semi-trucks as I tried to pull over to the right. The vehicle seemingly would maintain a max. Of 35 mph. Upon restarting the car (normal start), letting it idle (normal idle), and then attempting to drive to a safer location, its acceleration felt restricted at lower rpms, but it did back up to highway speed and the restricted feeling ended up being temporary. The nearest dealer was mb of marion, il., approx. Another 200-300 miles away. On the way to this dealership, the same malfunction occurred again about 50-75 miles later. I went through the same process and restarted the vehicle. At the marion, il dealer, the mechanic found the following code in the computer: PO29921 - boost pressure of turbocharger too low. The mechanic at the marion, il dealer and, later, at another dealer closer to where I live (Mercedes of South atlanta) was not able to replicate this code and therefore no repairs have ever been attempted or made. This issue has not re-occurred here in Georgia.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #4

Oct 162013

CLA250 4-cyl

  • 400 miles
I purchased a new new new Mercedes cla-250C automobile late September 2013. In mid-October I experienced un-commanded acceleration to above 5500 RPM. This ceased just as I was about to apply braking. The car then behaved normally. On christmas night I experienced un-commanded braking whenever I backed off the accelerator pedal, the force of braking being proportional to the degree of lift-off from the accelerator. I was able to bring the car to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal. At that point I grounded the car. On January 7, 2014 I informed Mercedes-Benz about the above. I am prepared to provide further information regarding the above events and my correspondence with Mercedes-Benz usa should you desire.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #3

Feb 112014

CLA250 4-cyl

  • 5,354 miles
1st- on Feb 11th & 12th my 2014 cla which was purchased at the mb of pembroke pines had been towed to the mb of pompano, fl dealership because of the eps lights, "inoperative" warning messages that were coming up as well as the stalling and delayed acceleration, which I took photos of. It was towed to pompano form my job, my car was kept at the dealership for 4 days (as opposed to the few hrs I was told that it would take to fix the computer issues). Not only was my car in the shop for 3 days, but a part that had been ordered, which means something obviously wasn"T functioning properly so it had to be replaced. 2nd - I picked up my vehicle on sat Feb 15th from the pompano, after getting onto the I95 and driving 2 mins, the same warning signs came back up. I exited driving 15mph and trying to keep the vehicle stable. Mr. Mike rodriguez was instructed to test drive the vehicle, however, when he did so the warning signals were gone. Why" because a service guy restarted the vehicle and drove it into the service area. Being that the signal was no longer visible, the GM suggested that if there was ever a signal sent to the vehicle it would show up in some sort of reading they were able to do on the vehicle. When they returned, both the GM and Mr. Rodriguez informed us that the vehicle showed them there was no signal that was sent to the vehicle all day. I litterally just saw it not 30 mins ago. We left & about 2 mins from my home in boca raton, the signal was back with vengeance! at this point I took pictures. I pulled into my drive way, but this time I left the vehicle running. 3rd -on March 2nd at around 2:45pm, after about a week of having my vehicle back, I was driving when the same warning signs and acceleration problems were back. I left it running with all the signals up and it had to be towed back. This is a summary of the incidents.this has to stop! not safe!

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #2

Jan 202014

CLA250 6-cyl

  • 1,135 miles
Today I was driving in a parking lot and approached the light to exit and my dashboard lit up with a presafe system failure, system is inoperative and my car slowed down considerably when I tried to accelerate. I pulled over and turned the engine off and then on again and the error cleared. This is very dangerous if it happens on a highway or while driving on a crowded street. I called the dealer today and was told if the error was not currently on the dash they could not do anything. I explained that this was unacceptable and they needed to look at the car. God forbid I am on the highway and it disabled. Last week my brother-in- law saw the same car disabled in the middle lane of the highway. I hope mb fixes this problem fast before someone is seriously hurt.

- Hempstead, NY, USA

problem #1

Oct 272013

CLA250

  • 1,700 miles
On Sunday, October 27, and Tuesday, October 29, 2013, my vehicle listed above had warning lights come on that stated, "pre safe, functions limited, inoperative." In addition to the words, the esp and ABS lights illuminated. I took the vehicle to penske mbz in West covina, ca, on Wednesday, October 30. They repaired the vehicle by doing a software update. On Saturday, November 2, 2013, the codes returned and I took the vehicle back to where I bought it, encino, ca, mbz. I was told they could not replicate the codes and they found no problem. This is unacceptable! the vehicle is still at encino mbz as they are trying to replicate the problem. When this malfunction occurs, the vehicle loses power and has very limited acceleration. It has occurred twice on city streets and twice on the freeway, both in eco and sport mode. On the city streets I am able to just pull to the curb. On the freeway, it becomes a possible life threatening emergency. There is only very gradual acceleration, and at 65mph, limited acceleration is very dangerous. These four occurrences have taken place in less than a 10 day period and no long term repair has yet been accomplished!

- San Dimas, CA, USA

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