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2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 airbags problems

14 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
21%
crashes
4
recalls
2

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mercedes-Benz CLA250 airbags problems in other years

2012201320142015201620172018201920202023

Related recalls

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported December 16, 2019 · 129 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash, if the air bag does not deploy as designed, the front seat passenger has an increased risk of an injury.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020060012.

Recall number 19V892000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported October 6, 2017 · 495,290 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
Risk
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑877‑496‑3691.

Recall number 17V627000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened September 17, 2021, still open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21002

What 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 24, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · 86,799 miles · CA

While turning my steering wheel during normal operation, I heard what appeared to be a popping or snapping sound from inside the steering wheel. Immediately afterward, my horn stopped working, all steering-wheel control buttons became inoperative, and the airbag warning light illuminated with the message “Front Left Malfunction – Service Required.” All these failures occurred suddenly and at approximately the same time, without any prior warning or symptoms. The instrument cluster still lights up, but I can no longer access the mileage display using the steering-wheel controls. The last mileage I recall was approximately 80,000 miles. These symptoms suggest a possible steering-column clock spring failure, although the exact cause has not yet been professionally diagnosed. I am particularly concerned because the federal safety agency recall 17V627000 previously addressed a safety risk involving the steering-column clock spring and driver’s airbag system. Mercedes-Benz lists this recall as completed for my vehicle. However, the recall remedy did not routinely replace the clock spring, and my vehicle has now experienced symptoms consistent with its failure. This vehicle was also purchased as a Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned vehicle with an extended warranty and was represented as having undergone a comprehensive inspection, including safety-related systems. My concern is that a clock spring or related steering-column electrical component may fail suddenly, disabling the horn and potentially compromising the driver’s airbag, even after the previous recall remedy was completed. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether similar failures are occurring in other vehicles, whether an ongoing safety defect exists, and whether additional corrective action or an expanded recall may be warranted.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Airbags, Steering · CA

My mechanic said that he believes there is a recall on a recalled part this was previously repaired per Mercedes notice of safety recall dated April 2018. The recall remedy provided by the manufacturer has failed to permanently fix the safety defect, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive. "On certain Model Year (“MY”) 2014-2017 B-Class electric, MY 2012-2018 C-Class, MY 2012-2017 E-Class, MY 2014-2018 CLA, MY 2015-2018 GLA, MY 2016-2018 GLC, and MY 2013-2015 GLK-Class vehicles, an electrostatic discharge, when combined with a broken steering column module clock spring and an insufficient grounding of the steering components, could lead to an inadvertent deployment of the driver airbag. An inadvertent driver airbag deployment may cause a risk of injury to the driver and might increase the risk of a crash." Currently my airbag and horn do not work as a result of this defect and Mercedes said there is no current safety recalls, however this is the exact issue that was replaced and fixed before I purchased it. They want to charge me a $300 diagnostic fee, (when my mechanic has already looked at it), I am not wanting to pay the dealership for an issue that is clearly related to the recall issue that was not properly fixed. My car is a safety issue to myself and anyone if I drive it, my horn does not work, so that makes it hard to prevent accidents and my airbag, upon reading further online, could potentially deploy and CAUSE and accident.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Airbags, Steering · CA

My mechanic said that he believes there is a recall on a recalled part this was previously repaired per Mercedes notice of safety recall dated April 2018. The recall remedy provided by the manufacturer has failed to permanently fix the safety defect, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive. "On certain Model Year (“MY”) 2014-2017 B-Class electric, MY 2012-2018 C-Class, MY 2012-2017 E-Class, MY 2014-2018 CLA, MY 2015-2018 GLA, MY 2016-2018 GLC, and MY 2013-2015 GLK-Class vehicles, an electrostatic discharge, when combined with a broken steering column module clock spring and an insufficient grounding of the steering components, could lead to an inadvertent deployment of the driver airbag. An inadvertent driver airbag deployment may cause a risk of injury to the driver and might increase the risk of a crash." Currently my airbag and horn do not work as a result of this defect and Mercedes said there is no current safety recalls, however this is the exact issue that was replaced and fixed before I purchased it. They want to charge me a $300 diagnostic fee, (when my mechanic has already looked at it), I am not wanting to pay the dealership for an issue that is clearly related to the recall issue that was not properly fixed. My car is a safety issue to myself and anyone if I drive it, my horn does not work, so that makes it hard to prevent accidents and my airbag, upon reading further online, could potentially deploy and CAUSE and accident.

Filed Jul 18, 2023 · Airbags · KS · 1 injury

May 3, 2023 - I had pulled back into my driveway approximately at 8:45 AM after leaving a couple of minutes before to run errands. I turned the car off and went inside of my house for less than five minutes. I got back into my car, started the vehicle and the airbag exploded unexpectedly while I was in my driveway. Of course, I was shocked and confused as to what had happened. My husband was inside the house and came out to check on me. I received surface burns on both of my forearms, my left pinky finger was bent in an unnatural position and part of my left pinky fingernail was missing. It was a true blessing that I was in my driveway and not driving on the open road. I went to the doctor a few hours later to get checked out, where it was confirmed by x-rays that I had fractured my left pinky finger, which made it very difficult to do my job. I was traumatized from this incident to say the least. My car sat at the end of my driveway in the same place where the airbag deployed until May 10th. May 9, 2023 - I made my first call to Mercedez Benz USA Care to report what had happened with my Mercedes 2016 CLA250 the previous week and for them to advise me as to what I shoud do. I was advised by MBUSA care representative to have my car towed to an authorized Mercedes Benz Dealership in Kansas City. Because of the late hour of the business day, I decided to have the car towed to the dealership the next day. May 10, 2023 - The vehicle was towed to an authorized Mercedes dealer, Aristocrat Motors in Kansas City. From what I've been told, my vehicle was inspected some time during the last half of June. Because this is considered a legal matter by MBUSA, I have not received any further communication from them. My car has been in "lock down" at the dealership since in was towed there on May 10th. I have reached out to the referral manager at MBUSA on countless occasions via both telephone and email. We have made three car payments and have no car to drive.

Filed May 24, 2021 · Airbags · CA · crash · 1 injury

I was involved in an accident and hit on the drivers side front and back door. I thought it was weird the airbags did not deploy. I had over $100k in medical bills and still require another surgery.

Filed Jul 9, 2020 · Airbags · CA

Still no remedy for passenger airbag for my 2016 mercedes e400. How long does mercedes have to fix the problem?

Filed Jun 10, 2020 · Airbags · 29,000 miles · IL · crash

Unknown accelerated out of driveway, turning left. Collision with object deemed vehicle total loss. No airbag deployed, front end collision.

Filed Jul 26, 2018 · Airbags, Body · FL · crash · 1 injury

"takata recall" the driver was killed in a car accident on march 21st 2018 and the car was on a recall. The accident was at ockechobee road, miami, fl with 11th street. The car was in motion. The driver received a letter from mercedes-benz in november 2017 stating that the car had an insufficient electrical grounding in the steering column components and that this could lead to an inadvertent deployment of the driver airbag causing a risk of a potential crash, but that unfortunately the remedy was not available yet. Despite of this, the driver took the car to a mercedez-bens dealer in the same month, on november 29th 2017, and nothing was made about the problem. The accident was tragic. It was at 2:40pm and two minutes before 2:38pm the driver spoke to his wife and everything was well. Also the autopsy didn't show anything wrong with his healthy conditions. He was an amazing father, husband and very calm person. A part of the investigations shows that there is no break marks on the floor, which shows that the drive lost the control of the car. His son (16) was in the car with him and had a lot of injuries and still is recovering. Because all of this evidences, I believe that the airbag deployed on his face causing him to loose control of the car.

Filed May 1, 2018 · Airbags · 420,000 miles · GA

"takata recall" why do it take so long to fix this problem. Also I see where mercedes is covering themselves by sending a letter to warn you, so you can't bring up no charges. Why don't you don't offer loner cars until this problem is fix. You shouldn't have anyone driving these cars in this condition. You need to take care of your customers. These cars cost to much money to have these problems and you not take care of your customers. After this I will not being buy another mercedes and I will let my friends know as well all the problems you have if you buy one.

Filed Nov 7, 2017 · Airbags · CA

"takata recall" what purpose does this recall serve if the manufacturer still does not have a "remedy" available? I have 3 benz's, all affected by this recall and for over 1 year the dealer cannot repair due to "no remedy yet avail". So in the meantime, we should drive and pray that something tragic does not occur?

Questions about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 airbags

Does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the airbags of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, 21% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 airbags problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 19V892000, 17V627000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 have bad airbags?

The Mercedes-Benz CLA250 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2016 (14 complaints) and 2014 (11 complaints).

Other 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 problems

Engine 16Electrical 9Body 8Fuel system 7Steering 7Transmission 5Brakes 3Visibility 3Wheels 3Driver assistance 2Seats 2Acceleration 1Seat belts 1Tires 1

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