MERCEDES-BENZ AMG CLA45 · model year

2018 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG CLA45

11 NHTSA complaints, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2018MERCEDES-BENZAMG CLA45 carries 11 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 AMG CLA45 is engine with 3 filings, followed by power train (2) and unknown or other (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2018 AMG CLA45. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

11
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

11 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE3
POWER TRAIN2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
COMMUNICATION1

Recalls (7)

21V19700019/03/2021

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 C

19V89200016/12/2019

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2018 CLA250 and CLA250 4MATIC, and 2017-2018 CLA45 AMG vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may have been improperly calibrated, which may prevent the proper deployment of the front passenger air bag.

23V85400015/12/2023

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to t

17V62700006/10/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe

21V05800005/02/2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

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 mod

18V51400003/08/2018

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, and CLA45 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in the front seat.

21V22900001/04/2021

STEERING

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 B250e, CLA250, 2017-2018 AMG CLA45, GLA250, and AMG GLA45 vehicles. The steering shaft bore hole for the universal joint bearing may allow excessive movement that, over time, could result in the separation of the bearing and universal joint.

Recent Complaints

20211012ENGINE

Regarding 2018 CLA 45 AMG: On 9-21-21, while I was driving approximately 45 MPH on a 4 lane road, suddenly the car completely shut down. A message simultaneously popped up that the car was disabled and instructed me to look up in manual. Immediately I turned right into the first driveway where the car came to a stop. I was able to restart car and drive home. At that point, the car's total mileage was 17,189. 10-7-21: Deeming the car unsafe to drive, I had the car towed to Mercedes-Benz of Raleigh for a pre-arranged appointment on 10-8-21with service advisor Christopher Moore. After the tech ran numerous tests, he found the ME control unit was faulty and replaced it at no charge. Since I drove it back home, I haven't driven it since.

20211012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Regarding 2018 CLA 45 AMG: On 9-21-21, while I was driving approximately 45 MPH on a 4 lane road, suddenly the car completely shut down. A message simultaneously popped up that the car was disabled and instructed me to look up in manual. Immediately I turned right into the first driveway where the car came to a stop. I was able to restart car and drive home. At that point, the car's total mileage was 17,189. 10-7-21: Deeming the car unsafe to drive, I had the car towed to Mercedes-Benz of Raleigh for a pre-arranged appointment on 10-8-21with service advisor Christopher Moore. After the tech ran numerous tests, he found the ME control unit was faulty and replaced it at no charge. Since I drove it back home, I haven't driven it since.

20211012POWER TRAIN

Regarding 2018 CLA 45 AMG: On 9-21-21, while I was driving approximately 45 MPH on a 4 lane road, suddenly the car completely shut down. A message simultaneously popped up that the car was disabled and instructed me to look up in manual. Immediately I turned right into the first driveway where the car came to a stop. I was able to restart car and drive home. At that point, the car's total mileage was 17,189. 10-7-21: Deeming the car unsafe to drive, I had the car towed to Mercedes-Benz of Raleigh for a pre-arranged appointment on 10-8-21with service advisor Christopher Moore. After the tech ran numerous tests, he found the ME control unit was faulty and replaced it at no charge. Since I drove it back home, I haven't driven it since.

20210915COMMUNICATION

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20210915ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V058000 (Communication, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified of the issue however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20210802UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Manufacturer has not fixed the outstanding software safety recall in a timely fashion. I have contacted them over 10 times and no one has any idea when the software update will be sent and there is no one they can escalate the issue to. I use the car for work, but I am not allowed to use a car with an outstanding safety recall.

20201202UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WE WERE ADVISED MERCEDES-BENZ IS ISSUING A RECALL DUE TO MOLD EXISTING IN THE FACTORY HVAC SYSTEM FROM A LAW FIRM MAILER. WHEN CONTACTING MERCEDES-BENZ, THEY STATED THEY ARE OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD US A RECALL WOULD BE TAKING PLACE AROUND JANUARY 2021. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER 2018 AND INGEST POSSIBLE MOLD SPORES DAILY WHILE ENDURING A HORRIBLE MUSTY SMELL. WE ATTEMPTED TO TRADE IN OUR VEHICLE FOR A NEWER MODEL AND WERE INSULTED WITH THE SALES MANAGER'S RESULTS AT ZT MOTORS, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL. SO, NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A $70,000 VEHICLE, PAYING MONTHLY PAYMENTS, AND NOT BEING INFORMED DIRECTLY BY MERCEDES WHEN THIS CORRECTION WILL TAKE PLACE. I HAVE AN AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER AND BEING AROUND MOLD IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR ME. VERY DISGUSTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER AS THEY DO NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS.

20181105ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ACCELERATING OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE CAR HESITATED MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) ISSUE.

Mileage: 13,000

20181105ENGINE

ACCELERATING OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE CAR HESITATED MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) ISSUE.

Mileage: 13,000

20181105POWER TRAIN

ACCELERATING OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE CAR HESITATED MOMENTARILY THEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE CAR HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) ISSUE.

Mileage: 13,000

20170926ENGINE

AS I ACCELERATED OUT OF A LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 'INOPERABLE'. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES.

Mileage: 1,945

Compare 2018MERCEDES-BENZAMG CLA45 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG CLA45 have?
The 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG CLA45 has 11 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG CLA45?
Yes, the 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG CLA45 has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG CLA45?
The most-complained component for the 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG CLA45 is ENGINE with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG CLA45 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.