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Mercedes-Benz · Compact · 2019–2025

Mercedes-Benz CLA C118

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
3.7 / 5.0 · Based on 6 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

381–421 PS

2.0L Turbo AMG Benzin

CLA 45 AMG — Elegant Sprinter

Fun to Drive!
Most Reliable Engine

109–163 PS

1.3L Turbo Benzin

5 weaknesses

Good Choice

Body Variants

The Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 is available as Coupé and T-Modell — choose your body type for specific insurance data:

Coupé
6 Engines 2× Good Choice
view Coupé →
T-Modell
6 Engines 2× Good Choice
view T-Modell →

Generations

Engine Overview

The Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 is available with 11 engine variants — from 90 to 421 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

CLA 180 d · Diesel· 116 PS
2019 2025
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
CLA 200 d · Diesel· 150 PS
2019 2025
Be Careful 11 weaknesses
CLA 220 d · Diesel· 190 PS
2019 2025
Be Careful 11 weaknesses
AMG CLA 35 · Benziner· 306 PS
2019 2025
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
AMG CLA 45 · Benziner· 387 PS
2019 2025
Good Choice 6 weaknesses
AMG CLA 45 S · Benziner· 421 PS
2019 2025
Good Choice 6 weaknesses
CLA 180 · Benziner· 136 PS
2019 2025
Good Choice 5 weaknesses
CLA 200 · Benziner· 160–163 PS Engine Change
2019 2025
Good Choice 5 weaknesses
2019 2025
Good Choice 5 weaknesses
CLA 220 · Benziner· 190 PS
2019 2025
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
CLA 250 · Benziner· 224 PS
2019 2025
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
CLA 250 e · Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid· 218 PS
2020 2025
Good Choice 5 weaknesses

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 d (Diesel, 116 PS) has the OM608 (1.5L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 d (Diesel, 150 PS) has the OM654 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 11 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 d (Diesel, 190 PS) has the OM654 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 11 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 35 (Benziner, 306 PS) has the M260-AMG35 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 (Benziner, 387 PS) has the M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG) — rated: "Good Choice", 6 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 S (Benziner, 421 PS) has the M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG) — rated: "Good Choice", 6 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 (Benziner, 136 PS) has the M282 (1.3L Turbo) — rated: "Good Choice", 5 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 (Benziner, 160–163 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M282 (2019–2025, Good Choice) und M282 (2019–2025, Good Choice). Pay attention to the model year for the CLA 200!

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 (Benziner, 190 PS) has the M260 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 (Benziner, 224 PS) has the M260 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e (Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid, 218 PS) has the M282 (1.3L Turbo) — rated: "Good Choice", 5 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
!8G-DCT with Rough Gear Changes

The 8-speed dual clutch gearbox in the CLA C118 occasionally shows rough gear changes, especially when downshifting and in crawl mode. Software updates help temporarily; clutch packs wear at higher mileages.

Symptoms: Jolt during gear change, abrupt clutch engagement when pulling away, gearbox drops out of 1st gear
from 50,000 km
Ad 8G-DCT Clutch CLA C118Dual Clutch CLA 200 250Gearbox Oil 8G-DCT CLA
 High
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Above Average
1 complaints · 2019–2025
Electrical
1
Lane Departure
1
Backup Camera/Sensors
1

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Electrical (1 complaints)
⚠ Lane Departure (1 complaints)
⚠ Backup Camera/Sensors (1 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 44 weaknesses have been documented for the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 (2019–2025) — 37 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Gearbox, Other, Electronics. Considered reliable: M282 (1.3L Turbo), M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG).

CLA (OM608, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Timing belt maintenance obligation, Timing belt change critical, Increased oil consumption / turbo shaft seal. Power: 116 PS.

CLA (OM654, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Rocker Arm and Camshaft Wear, Electric Coolant Pump Leaking — Recall, NOx Sensor Defective — AdBlue Fault and Start Inhibit. Power: 150 PS.

CLA (OM654, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Rocker Arm and Camshaft Wear, Electric Coolant Pump Leaking — Recall, NOx Sensor Defective — AdBlue Fault and Start Inhibit. Power: 190 PS.

CLA (M260, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Exhaust Valve Seat Insert Wear / Cylinder Head, Timing Chain Rattles on Cold Start, Wastegate Actuator Causes Boost Pressure Loss. Power: 190 PS.

CLA (M260, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Exhaust Valve Seat Insert Wear / Cylinder Head, Timing Chain Rattles on Cold Start, Wastegate Actuator Causes Boost Pressure Loss. Power: 224 PS.

CLA (M260-AMG35, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Cylinder Head Exhaust Valves Worn, Valve Seat Insert Wears — Cylinder Head Damage, Turbocharger Wear Under AMG Load. Power: 306 PS.

What to watch out for with the Mercedes-Benz CLA? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 have? +
The Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 has 37 known engine weaknesses and 7 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Mercedes-Benz CLA C118? +
faq.watch_a_solid
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: M282 (1.3L Turbo), M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG). The most reliable engine is the M282 (1.3L Turbo) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG).
Which Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 5 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 — rated: "Fun to Drive!". {description} 285 kW in the CLA C118 coupé: as fast as the A 45, but the more elegant design slightly softens the extreme-sport character. Still outstanding.
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 worth buying used? +
The Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 is a good choice as a used car — 2 of 6 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the Mercedes-Benz CLA C118? +
The Mercedes-Benz CLA C118 is available with engine variants from 90 to 421 hp. Petrol: M282 (1.3L Turbo), M260 (2.0L Turbo), M260-AMG35 (2.0L Turbo), M139 (2.0L Turbo AMG). Diesel: OM608 (1.5L Diesel), OM654 (2.0L Diesel).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee