Recalls & Technical Service Bulletins
Every known recall and TSB affecting the Mercedes CLA across both the C117 (2013–2019) and C118 (2019–present) generations, with affected VIN ranges and remedies. Check your own vehicle below.
The Mercedes CLA has been subject to multiple safety recalls and technical service bulletins across both generations.
Use the table below to check your generation, then confirm your VIN against the official Mercedes-Benz recall portal or your nearest dealer.
The table below lists known recalls and TSBs for both CLA generations. Recall data is compiled from manufacturer notifications and must be confirmed against your specific VIN before acting on it. All recall repairs are carried out free of charge at any Mercedes-Benz authorised repairer.
| Generation | Ref. No. | Date | Affected VIN Range | Issue | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C117 (2013–2019) | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | Steering column intermediate shaft may not have been welded correctly, potentially reducing steering control | Inspection and replacement of steering column intermediate shaft if required |
| C117 (2013–2019) | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | Airbag control unit software may not correctly detect certain crash scenarios, potentially preventing intended airbag deployment | Software update to airbag control unit |
| C118 (2019–present) | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | Rear spoiler may not have been bonded correctly and could detach at speed | Inspection and re-bonding or replacement of rear spoiler |
| C118 (2019–present) | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | MBUX multimedia system software fault may cause the instrument cluster display to go blank temporarily | Over-the-air or dealer-applied software update |
| C117 / C118 | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | Brake booster housing may develop corrosion in high-salt environments, reducing braking effectiveness over time | Inspection and replacement of brake booster if corrosion is found |
All entries marked [PLACEHOLDER] require confirmation against the official Mercedes-Benz recall database before this page publishes. Recall numbers and VIN ranges are subject to change as new campaigns are issued.
Technical Service Bulletins differ from formal safety recalls. A TSB acknowledges a known issue and provides workshop instructions, but the fix is typically carried out during routine servicing rather than via a proactive owner notification. Our CLA service schedule reference notes where TSB-related inspections coincide with scheduled maintenance intervals.
Your Vehicle Identification Number is the only reliable way to confirm whether your specific car falls within an affected production batch. Here is how to find and use it.
The CLA's VIN appears in three locations: stamped on the vehicle identification plate at the base of the windscreen (visible from outside the driver's side), printed on the driver's door B-pillar sticker, and recorded in your V5C registration document. The VIN is always 17 characters — a mix of letters and numbers, never including I, O or Q to avoid confusion with numerals.
Mercedes-Benz operates a recall lookup portal where you enter your full 17-character VIN and receive an immediate confirmation of any outstanding campaigns. Alternatively, any authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer can run the same check on their internal system in under two minutes. If you are buying a used CLA — particularly a C117 approaching or past 100,000 miles — requesting a recall status check should form part of your pre-purchase inspection. Our VIN Decoder tool can identify your CLA's build specification and engine code before you cross-reference against the recall list.
If your VIN falls within an affected range, Mercedes-Benz UK will typically send a letter to the registered keeper. The repair is free regardless of how many owners the car has had or whether it was originally purchased through a Mercedes dealer. You book directly with any authorised repairer; the work usually takes between 30 minutes and three hours depending on the campaign.
Recalls address safety-critical defects present at the time of manufacture. They do not cover wear-and-tear items, servicing neglect, or problems introduced by previous owners. Understanding this boundary prevents false expectations and helps you budget correctly for ownership.
Brake pads, discs, wiper blades, tyres, drive belts and service fluids are never subject to recall even when they fail prematurely. If your CLA's braking components are corroded due to age rather than a manufacturing defect in the booster housing, the repair cost falls to you. Our repair-to-value framework explains when a repair remains financially sensible for the typical CLA's market value.
Some problems are well-documented among specialists and forums but have not triggered a formal recall campaign. These include certain software glitches in early MBUX units, intermittent DPF regeneration faults on the OM654 diesel variants, and occasional turbo actuator sticking on higher-mileage examples. These issues are addressed through TSBs or goodwill repairs at dealer discretion, but they are not guaranteed free fixes. If your CLA develops one of these symptoms, our turbocharger failure guide and limp mode diagnostic page explain what to expect and what it typically costs.
If a previous owner has fitted non-standard components — particularly in the steering, braking or airbag systems — a recall repair may be refused until the vehicle is returned to standard specification. This is uncommon on CLAs but worth checking on any car with a modified history.
Beyond formal recalls, the CLA shares several well-documented failure patterns with its A-Class siblings. These are not safety recalls but are common enough that any prospective buyer or current owner should be aware of them.
The C117 generation (2013–2019) uses the OM651 four-cylinder diesel in its 200 CDI and 220 CDI variants — an engine with documented injector seal and timing chain tensioner concerns covered in detail on our OM651 balance shaft failure page. Petrol C117 models use the M270 turbocharged four-cylinder, which has its own timing chain considerations addressed in our M274 timing chain tensioner guide.
The C118 generation (2019–present) predominantly uses the OM654 diesel, a substantially improved unit. However, AdBlue system faults and occasional EGR cooler issues have been reported by specialists, and the petrol M282 variant has shown early examples of carbon buildup on direct-injection intake valves. For a full breakdown of engine-specific failure patterns, our engine code guide helps you identify exactly which unit is in your CLA before you investigate further.
If your CLA is showing symptoms that concern you — a warning light, unusual noise, or loss of power — our Diagnostic Wizard can help narrow the cause before you commit to a workshop visit.
Enter your 17-character VIN into the official Mercedes-Benz recall portal, or ask any authorised Mercedes dealer to run the check. It takes under two minutes and costs nothing. You will need your V5C logbook or the VIN plate at the base of your windscreen to hand.
Yes. Recall repairs are free regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. The obligation sits with the manufacturer, not the original purchaser. Simply book with any Mercedes-Benz authorised repairer and quote the recall reference.
A recall is a safety-critical defect that the manufacturer is legally required to fix free of charge and must proactively notify owners about. A TSB acknowledges a known issue and provides a fix procedure, but it is typically applied during routine servicing rather than via a dedicated owner notification. TSB repairs may or may not be free depending on warranty status and dealer goodwill.
Many are. The CLA shares its platform and most mechanical components with the A-Class — the W176 with the C117, and the W177 with the C118. If an A-Class recall affects a shared component like the steering column or airbag ECU, the CLA is almost always included in the same campaign. Always confirm with your specific VIN rather than assuming.
If your CLA has developed a fault not covered by a recall — a timing chain concern, turbo issue, or engine warning — compare quotes from vetted UK Mercedes specialists. Enter your registration to get started.
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