What is the 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 7G-DCT (724.0) Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder and Mechatronics Failure?

The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (7G-DCT, transmission code 724.0) fitted to CLA 200/220/250 models develops a noticeable shudder or jolt during low-speed engagement and when shifting from 2nd to 3rd under moderate throttle. Causes include wet multi-plate clutch wear, degraded/c… Repairs typically run $250-$3,200. Severity: high.

What is the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA 4MATIC Rear Differential Premature Internal Wear and Clunking/Whine (C117)?

On first-generation (C117, 2014-2019) CLA250 4MATIC and CLA45 AMG cars the electronically coupled rear differential (with its engagement solenoid on the front-left of the housing) wears internally well before 100k miles. Owners describe a whirring/whine that grows with speed, and… Repairs typically run $2,500-$6,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Turbo Oil Leak (M270)?

The M270 2.0L turbo engine develops oil leaks from the turbo oil feed and return lines. Oil drips onto the hot exhaust manifold, producing smoke and a burning oil smell. The turbo oil return line gasket is the most common leak point. Repairs typically run $200-$700. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Headlight Moisture Intrusion and LED DRL / Xenon Control Module Failure (C117)?

C117 CLA owners on MBWorld and mercedescla.org report condensation and standing water inside the headlamp housings, followed by an intermittent or dead low beam and a dead LED daytime running light strip. The housing seal fails, water reaches the ballast/LED control module mounte… Repairs typically run $300-$2,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA Water Leaks into Trunk and Rear Footwell (Vent Flap / Seam Sealing)?

CLA owners report water collecting in the trunk and pooling in the rear footwells, sometimes enough to soak carpets and risk corrosion and electrical faults. A common path is poorly sealing rear pressure-relief vent flaps and water tracking down inside the trunk lid around the ta… Repairs typically run $50-$500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA Premature Rear Brake Wear and Caliper Piston Sticking?

CLA owners report rear brake pads and rotors wearing out before the fronts, with early 'Check Brake Pad Wear' warnings (some as low as ~50k miles) and rear rotor warping/vibration. A commonly cited root cause is the rear caliper piston sticking/dragging — a problem owners and ind… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Coolant Thermostat Stuck Open — P0128 Check Engine Light and Engine Never Reaching Temperature?

CLA owners report a check engine light with P0128 (coolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature): the gauge sits low, cabin heat is weak and fuel economy drops because the map-controlled thermostat fails open. On the M270 CLA250 the thermostat sits behind the water… Repairs typically run $400-$3,600. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA M270 Water Pump Failure and Coolant Leak at Low Mileage (CLA250)?

Owners of first-generation CLA250s report water pump failure on the M270 2.0T well inside typical service life — one MBWorld reviewer's pump failed at about 36,000 miles, and mercedescla.org threads describe coolant loss, overheating warnings and a pump found leaking at the weep… Repairs typically run $900-$1,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA eCall Communication Module Software Faults — Wrong Crash Location or No Network (Recalls 19V-787, 21V-058, 22V-365)?

Both CLA generations have been recalled three times for the telematics/communication module that places the automatic emergency call. 19V-787 (Nov 2019): on 2014-2016 CLA250, CLA250 4MATIC and CLA45 AMG (117 platform) a supplier software fault caused the module's GPS-derived date… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA Front Suspension Strut Noise?

The front struts and strut mount bearings develop clunking and creaking noises over bumps. The CLA shares its platform with the A-Class and both suffer from the same strut mount bearing wear issue, especially on models with sport suspension. Repairs typically run $200-$1,000. Severity: low.

What is the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA COMAND Infotainment Freeze?

Mercedes XENTRY LI82.85-P-055695 directly includes model 117 and documents a COMAND unit that does not start, cannot be operated or leaves the display dark. The condition may clear after more than six hours or a brief power interruption; the identified cause is the COMAND softwar… Severity: low.

What is the 2014-2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA Auxiliary (Backup) Battery Malfunction Warning?

CLA owners frequently see an 'Auxiliary Battery Malfunction' message on the dash. The CLA uses a small secondary 12V battery to support electronics and the start/stop system; it typically degrades after roughly 4-6 years. A weak auxiliary battery, or a charging fault (alternator/… Repairs typically run $80-$400. Severity: low.

What is the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Seat Belt Chafing and Rattling B-Pillar Trim (C117)?

A widely repeated C117 complaint: the front seat belt webbing rubs the B-pillar trim as it retracts, fraying and marring the pillar cover, while the plastic belt guide clip rattles against the trim over bumps. Owners on mercedescla.org describe dealers replacing both B-pillar tri… Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: low.

Mercedes-Benz · Known Issues

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA Problems: 17 Known Issues

2014 model year · 1,600+ owner reports · Updated September 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,600+ owner reports, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA has 17 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Panoramic Roof Front Panel Detachment — Safety Recall, Electric Power Steering 'Power Steering Malfunction' Warning and Loss of Assist (Steering Rack / Torque Sensor) ($300-$3,500 repair), CLA45 AMG M133 Turbocharger Bearing Failure from Oil Feed Line Contamination — Service Campaign 2014120001 ($0-$5,000 repair), 7G-DCT (724.0) Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder and Mechatronics Failure ($250-$3,200 repair), 4MATIC Rear Differential Premature Internal Wear and Clunking/Whine (C117) ($2,500-$6,000 repair) and Inadvertent Driver Airbag Deployment from Broken Clock Spring and Insufficient Steering Column Grounding — Safety Recall 17V-627 ($0-$0 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Turbo Oil Leak (M270) with 900 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $6,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz CLA problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 1,600+ owner reports, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA has 17 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Panoramic Roof Front Panel Detachment — Safety Recall, Electric Power Steering 'Power Steering Malfunction' Warning and Loss of Assist (Steering Rack / Torque Sensor), CLA45 AMG M133 Turbocharger Bearing Failure from Oil Feed Line Contamination — Service Campaign 2014120001. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA has 17 known issues documented across 1,600+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Panoramic Roof Front Panel Detachment — Safety Recall and Electric Power Steering 'Power Steering Malfunction' Warning and Loss of Assist (Steering Rack / Torque Sensor) and CLA45 AMG M133 Turbocharger Bearing Failure from Oil Feed Line Contamination — Service Campaign 2014120001 and 7G-DCT (724.0) Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder and Mechatronics Failure and 4MATIC Rear Differential Premature Internal Wear and Clunking/Whine (C117) and Inadvertent Driver Airbag Deployment from Broken Clock Spring and Insufficient Steering Column Grounding — Safety Recall 17V-627. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Mercedes-Benz CLA problems?

Repair costs for known Mercedes-Benz CLA issues range from $0 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Panoramic Roof Front Panel Detachment — Safety Recall?

Mercedes recalls 21V-197 and 23V-854 establish that the bonded front stationary panel on certain 2014-2020 CLA panoramic roofs may not have been installed correctly during prior repair. Bonding adhesion can deteriorate, allowing partial or complete panel detachment and increasing… Severity: high.

All 17 Known Issues

Other Mercedes-Benz Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz CLA problems?

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Mercedes-Benz CLA problems?

What is the 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Panoramic Roof Front Panel Detachment — Safety Recall?

2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA: CLA45 AMG M133 Turbocharger Bearing Failure from Oil Feed Line Contamination — Service Campaign 2014120001#

2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Turbo Oil Leak (M270)#

2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Panoramic Roof Front Panel Detachment — Safety Recall#

2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Electric Power Steering 'Power Steering Malfunction' Warning and Loss of Assist (Steering Rack / Torque Sensor)#

2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA: 7G-DCT (724.0) Dual-Clutch Transmission Shudder and Mechatronics Failure#

2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA: 4MATIC Rear Differential Premature Internal Wear and Clunking/Whine (C117)#

2014-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Inadvertent Driver Airbag Deployment from Broken Clock Spring and Insufficient Steering Column Grounding — Safety Recall 17V-627#

2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Headlight Moisture Intrusion and LED DRL / Xenon Control Module Failure (C117)#

2014-2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA: eCall Communication Module Software Faults — Wrong Crash Location or No Network (Recalls 19V-787, 21V-058, 22V-365)#

2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA: COMAND Infotainment Freeze#

2014-2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Auxiliary (Backup) Battery Malfunction Warning#

2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Coolant Thermostat Stuck Open — P0128 Check Engine Light and Engine Never Reaching Temperature#

2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA: M270 Water Pump Failure and Coolant Leak at Low Mileage (CLA250)#

2014-2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Water Leaks into Trunk and Rear Footwell (Vent Flap / Seam Sealing)#

2014-2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Premature Rear Brake Wear and Caliper Piston Sticking#

2014-2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Front Suspension Strut Noise#

2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA: Seat Belt Chafing and Rattling B-Pillar Trim (C117)#

What is the 2014-2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric Power Steering 'Power Steering Malfunction' Warning and Loss of Assist (Steering Rack / Torque Sensor)?

What is the 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA CLA45 AMG M133 Turbocharger Bearing Failure from Oil Feed Line Contamination — Service Campaign 2014120001?