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Mercedes-Benz2013–2024 Major issues documented

Mercedes-Benz CLA C117: common faults & what to check

The C117 is the Mercedes-Benz CLA built 2013–2020. It was sold here with the 1.6 turbo petrol and 2.0 turbo petrol. Of the 10 faults documented for the CLA, 5 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

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  • NZ owned and operated

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10

Documented faults

Major

Most serious

$300–$2,200

Typical repair

7

Systems covered

You're looking at the C117

2 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

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Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

A 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA is the C117 generation (2013 to 2020).

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Mercedes-Benz CLA C117Engine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the CLA came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Mercedes-Benz CLA · 2013

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

  • No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Mercedes-Benz CLA before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Worth checking

    Lift the boot floor and press the carpet in the spare-wheel well - feel for damp.

    See why

    Water leaks and damp boot/carpets (C117)

    The low, sloping CLA sedan is prone to water finding its way in - blocked sunroof/scuttle drains and boot-seal issues leave damp carpets, a wet spare-wheel well and musty smells, and can corrode electrical connectors under the carpet. Left wet it causes mould and intermittent electrical gremlins. Cheap to prevent by clearing drains, expensive if water has reached wiring.

    What you would notice

    • Musty or damp smell inside
    • Water in the spare-wheel well or under boot floor
    • Fogged windows that are slow to clear
    • Intermittent electrical faults

    Typically $200–$1,500 to put right.

See all 5 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked.
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1

01Water leaks and damp boot/carpets (C117)

Lift the boot floor and press the carpet in the spare-wheel well - feel for damp.petrol2013–2019Body & Rust
OccasionalBody & Rust $200–$1,500 to fix

The low, sloping CLA sedan is prone to water finding its way in - blocked sunroof/scuttle drains and boot-seal issues leave damp carpets, a wet spare-wheel well and musty smells, and can corrode electrical connectors under the carpet. Left wet it causes mould and intermittent electrical gremlins. Cheap to prevent by clearing drains, expensive if water has reached wiring.

Symptoms to notice

  • Musty or damp smell inside
  • Water in the spare-wheel well or under boot floor
  • Fogged windows that are slow to clear
  • Intermittent electrical faults

What to check

  1. Lift the boot floor and press the carpet in the spare-wheel well - feel for damp.
  2. Pull back footwell carpets and check for moisture.
  3. Look for water staining and check the sunroof drains are clear.
  4. A musty smell is your first clue.

Where to look: Boot floor / spare-wheel well, footwells, sunroof and scuttle drains

Ask the seller

  • “Has the car ever had damp carpets or a wet boot?”
  • “Are the sunroof drains clear?”
Depends on the exact engine — 4 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Engine, transmission & cooling3

01Turbo failure from contaminated oil feed line (CLA 45 AMG 2.0 M133 turbo)

Ask for the service history and whether the turbo oil feed line campaign (2014120001) was done or the turbo has been replaced.petrol2013–2015EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02M270/M282 Timing Chain Cold-Start Rattle (C117/C118)

Cold-start test is essential.petrol2013–2019EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

037G-DCT / 8G-DCT Dual-Clutch Shudder and Judder (C117/C118)

Multiple slow pull-away tests at low speed on flat ground.petrol2013 onwardTransmission
CommonTransmission $900–$4,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

C117 CLA models use the same 7G-DCT dual-clutch as the A and B-Class compact range, with the same documented low-speed shudder. C118 models (2019+) received the revised 8G-DCT which is improved but still exhibits shudder when transmission fluid is degraded. The CLA's coupé styling attracts drivers who use the DCT more aggressively, which can accelerate clutch pack wear in early units.

Symptoms to notice

  • Shudder when pulling away from rest
  • Judder in slow car park manoeuvring
  • Hesitation or clunk on light-throttle low-speed take-off
  • Occasional unexpected kickdown or gear hunting at low speed

What to check

Multiple slow pull-away tests at low speed on flat ground. Any vibration through the drivetrain on light throttle is a warning sign. For C118 8G-DCT, the fault is less common but fluid condition should still be verified. Check transmission fluid service record — it is a 'lifetime fill' in theory but should be changed every 40,000–60,000 km in practice. Confirm software update history.

Where to look: Transmission unit, front-wheel-drive layout under bonnet

Parts involved: Clutch.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the dual-clutch transmission fluid been replaced?”
  • “Has the car shuddered or vibrated when pulling away?”
  • “Has any transmission software update been applied by Mercedes?”
Fluid leaks1

01M270/M274 camshaft adjuster solenoid (cam magnet) oil leak — oil wicks into the wiring harness

Open the bonnet and find the two round black solenoids on the front top edge of the engine's cam cover.petrol2013–2019Fluid Leaks
CommonFluid Leaks $300–$1,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The two camshaft adjuster solenoids (cam magnets) on top of the M270/M274 turbo four develop internal seal leaks. Oil seeps into the solenoid's electrical connector and then wicks along the engine wiring loom by capillary action, which can eventually carry oil toward the engine computer's connector. Caught early it is a cheap fix (new magnets plus connector pigtails); ignored, it can mean cleaning or replacing sections of harness and cause camshaft-position fault codes and rough running. It is common enough that Mercedes parts suppliers sell a dedicated harness-protection kit for these engines.

Symptoms to notice

  • Oil inside or around the cam solenoid electrical plugs
  • Oil traces running along the engine wiring loom
  • Check-engine light with camshaft position codes
  • Rough idle or hesitation in later stages

What to check

  1. Open the bonnet and find the two round black solenoids on the front top edge of the engine's cam cover.
  2. Look for oil residue around their bases and, if the plugs are accessible, ease back the rubber boot on each connector with your fingers and look for oil sitting inside — a wet connector means the leak has already started travelling along the loom.
  3. Follow the loom a hand-span back looking for oily sheen.
  4. On the test drive watch for a check-engine light and any hesitation.
  5. Ask whether the cam magnets have ever been replaced and for the receipt.
  6. If a workshop inspection is possible: unplug both camshaft adjuster solenoid connectors and inspect the pins for oil, trace the harness back toward the ECU connector, and scan for stored camshaft position or adjuster fault codes.

Where to look: Front top of the engine — two round solenoids on the camshaft cover with wiring plugs, directly visible when the bonnet is open

Parts involved: Turbocharger.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the camshaft adjuster magnets ever been replaced, and is there a receipt?”
  • “Has the car ever had camshaft position fault codes or a check-engine light?”
  • “Was the wiring harness checked for oil when the magnets were done?”
Other Mercedes-Benz CLA engines and years5 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling2

01M282 intake valve carbon build-up — rough idle, misfires and flat spots

Be there for a cold start and sit with it as it idles, because that is when a carboned engine is at its worst.petrol2019–2024EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02M282 thermostat failure — slow warm-up, or overheating

This one is best judged on a genuinely cold start, so try to see the car before it has been moved.petrol2019–2024CoolingRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Electrical2

01CLA starting current limiter overheating fire recall PRA 2017/16367 (C117 CLA sold February 2015 to January 2017)

Ask the seller for the service history and whether the starting current limiter recall (extra starter fuse) was done by a Mercedes dealer.2015–2017Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $0–$400 to fix

Does not apply

On C117 CLA models (all engines) sold in Australia from 31 January 2015 to 31 January 2017, the starting current limiter in the starter circuit can overheat if the starter is cranked over and over while the engine or gearbox is jammed. Mercedes recalled these cars in Australia (PRA 2017/16367, listed for the C117 CLA range by sale date) and in the USA (NHTSA 17V-114, CLA250 and CLA 45) because the heat can melt nearby parts and start a fire. The fix is an extra fuse in the starter feed, fitted free by a Mercedes dealer. Recalled cars are listed by VIN, so ask a Mercedes dealer to check this one.

Symptoms to notice

  • Usually no warning before the fault
  • Burning or melted plastic smell after a hard start or repeated cranking
  • Starter clicks or cranks but the engine will not turn over

What to check

Ask the seller for the service history and whether the starting current limiter recall (extra starter fuse) was done by a Mercedes dealer. Ring a Mercedes dealer with the VIN to confirm the recall status. At the viewing, open the bonnet and sniff for any burnt plastic smell, and check the car starts first time without repeated cranking. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the dealer confirm the recall fuse is fitted in the starter feed.

Where to look: Engine bay, starter motor power feed and starting current limiter

Parts involved: Starter motor.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the starting current limiter (starter fuse) recall been done?”
  • “Has the car ever had trouble starting or needed repeated cranking?”
  • “Can you show the Mercedes dealer service and recall record?”

02MBUX infotainment freezes and glitches (C118)

Sit in the car and work through the screens - navigation, camera, phone pairing, radio.petrol2019 onwardElectrical
OccasionalElectrical $300–$3,500 to fix

Does not apply

The C118 introduced the twin-screen MBUX system, which can freeze, reboot, drop Apple CarPlay/Android Auto or lose the reversing camera. It is usually a software fault fixed with an update at a dealer, but a persistent one can mean a control unit. Annoying rather than dangerous, but check it works because a replacement head unit is pricey.

Symptoms to notice

  • Central screen freezes or reboots
  • CarPlay/Android Auto drops out
  • Reversing camera blank or laggy
  • Voice control or 'Hey Mercedes' unresponsive

What to check

Sit in the car and work through the screens - navigation, camera, phone pairing, radio. Reverse to confirm the camera shows promptly. Ask whether the latest MBUX software update has been applied.

Where to look: Dashboard - twin-screen MBUX display and head unit

Ask the seller

  • “Does the screen ever freeze or restart?”
  • “Is the MBUX software up to date?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1

01Electric power steering rack knock and clunk over bumps (C117/C118)

On the test drive, pick a street with speed bumps or a rough patch and drive it slowly with the radio off — listen for a knock from the front end.2015–2023Suspension
OccasionalSuspension $400–$3,500 to fix

Does not apply

The electric power steering rack on the CLA family develops internal play with age and kilometres, heard as a knock or clunk from the front end over low-speed bumps and during parking-speed direction changes. Owners' club threads trace the noise to the rack itself rather than suspension arms, and a dedicated repair guide covers diagnosing rack clunks on CLA250 through CLA45 models. The noise itself is mostly an annoyance, but the proper fix is a replacement or reconditioned electric rack, which is not cheap, so it is a useful negotiating point. Some cars had racks replaced under warranty or goodwill — paperwork matters.

Symptoms to notice

  • Knock or clunk from the front over speed bumps and potholes
  • Clonk when turning the wheel at parking speeds
  • Light knocking felt through the steering wheel rim
  • Noise present with no visible worn suspension parts

What to check

On the test drive, pick a street with speed bumps or a rough patch and drive it slowly with the radio off — listen for a knock from the front end. In a car park, roll slowly and swing the wheel from side to side, feeling for a clonk through the wheel rim. Stationary with the engine running, rock the steering wheel gently back and forth through a few centimetres and listen for a knock from below the windscreen area. Ask directly whether the steering rack has ever been replaced and check the service history for steering work. If a workshop inspection is possible: with the front wheels off the ground, have one person rock the steering while another grips the inner track rods and rack body to separate rack play from track-rod-end play, and check the rack mounting bolts.

Where to look: Steering rack mounted behind the front axle line, low in the engine bay — noise appears at the front bulkhead area and through the steering wheel

Parts involved: Steering rack.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the steering rack ever been replaced or resealed, and under warranty or goodwill?”
  • “Is there any knocking over speed bumps that the seller has noticed?”
  • “Has a wheel alignment been done recently, and why?”

Mercedes-Benz CLA faults in detail

Narrowed to the Mercedes-Benz CLA · 2013. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

M270/M282 Timing Chain Cold-Start Rattle (C117/C118)Major · EngineTurbo failure from contaminated oil feed line (CLA 45 AMG 2.0 M133 turbo)Major · Engine

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Mercedes-Benz CLA’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Mercedes-Benz C-Class41 documented faultsMercedes-Benz A-Class23 documented faultsMercedes-Benz E-Class23 documented faultsMercedes-Benz GLS10 documented faultsMercedes-Benz ML10 documented faultsMercedes-Benz B-Class8 documented faults

Mercedes-Benz CLA buyer questions

Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 10 documented faults for the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and cooling. A Mercedes-Benz CLA with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Mercedes-Benz CLA?

We've catalogued 10 known faults for the Mercedes-Benz CLA, covering engine, transmission, and cooling. All 10 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Mercedes-Benz CLA?

Most single repairs on the Mercedes-Benz CLA fall between $300–$2,200 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 10 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Mercedes-Benz CLA?

Yes. A Mercedes-Benz CLA inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.