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What 44 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-benz CLA

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (44)Crash / fire / injury (2)Electrical system (12)Engine (9)Airbags (7)Body & structure (6)Transmission & drivetrain (4)Fuel system (3)Communication (2)Seats (2)Steering (2)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1)

6 of 44 complaints match · Body & structure · clear filters

May 16, 2026Body & structure

Water coming into the car through the floor

NHTSA ODI 11738289

Jan 28, 2025Body & structure

Within 2 weeks after purchasing this vehicle the front stationary roof panel flew off the car. I noticed it when I parked at work in the parking lot. I do not know where the panel is. I retraced my route and did not see it anywhere. I work less than 2 miles from work with no turns. I am very concerned that the panel may cause water damage/leaking and even be a danger / damage to another drivers safety. I went to MB they said that there was no recall. They said that I should file claim to repair it. Claim and repair done be MB. NOW the same thing happened again. The panel has flown off again while I was driving on the highway around 3:00pm the panel nowhere to be found. MB said file a claim. 2 repair companies said the glue /sealant could be the issue. There were no notifications that this would happen. Pictures have been taken for both incidents. Upon referencing Vehicle Compliance & Analysis there is a recall Campaign Description: 23P2197658 NHTSA ID 23V854 I am having a difficult time getting my vehicle repaired without having to file another claim or paying for it myself.

NHTSA ODI 11639023

Jan 23, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the car wash, water entered through the overhead center console. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the front roof panel needed to be replaced and resealed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 61,050.

NHTSA ODI 11638024

Dec 11, 2024Body & structureSeats

Water comes in the car and fills the back seat floors with water. I think its comming in from the frame.

NHTSA ODI 11630127

May 11, 2024Body & structure

roof front panel coating peeling off - there has been a recall for this issue on most mercedes benz of my year - not just my model- seems to consistently be an issue for the front panel between windshield and sunroof- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCMN-21V197-6244.pdf my specific VIN wasnt included in the recall but i am having the exact same issue- Mercedes told me to reach out to NHTSA to see about getting my VIN batch included in recall or re-issue broader recall to include my VIN # - they will not replace otherwise - so many people online have same issue as me and obviously it was enough of a hazard that the first recall was issued but there are more cars affected by it than what was covered.

NHTSA ODI 11588237

Dec 26, 2023Body & structure

roof front panel coating peeling off - there has been a recall for this issue on most mercedes benz of my year - not just my model- seems to consistently be an issue for the front panel between windshield and sunroof- [XXX] my specific VIN wasnt included in the recall but i am having the exact same issue- Mercedes told me to reach out to NHTSA to see about getting my VIN batch included in recall or re-issue broader recall to include my VIN # - they will not replace otherwise - so many people online have same issue as me and obviously it was enough of a hazard that the first recall was issued but there are more cars affected by it than what was covered. have tried to upload photos but the button dissapears when i click on upload [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11561932

Working with the data? Download all 44 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Mercedes-benz CLA verdict →