Recalls: Mercedes C117 CLA 45 AMG
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mercedes C117 CLA 45 AMG
2015-16 Mercedes-Benz C117 CLA 45 AMG DCT: loss of drive
In July 2016, a recall was issued for Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45 vehicles that had double clutch transmissions. In these vehicles, a welded seam in the transmission’s dual clutch assembly could fracture and cause a loss of drive – this could pose an accident hazard to the vehicle’s occupants and other road users. The recalled Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45 vehicles were available for sale from 1 November 2015 to 30 January 2016 (PRA 2016/15529).
2016 Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45: left window airbag may not deploy
In June 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 October 2016 to 5 November 2016. In these vehicles, the left window airbag may not have been manufactured to specifications and may not deploy in the event of a collision, thereby increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants (PRA 2017/16114).
2016 Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45: front passenger airbag may not deploy as intended
In July 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45 vehicles that were available for sale from 1 October 2016 to 1 December 2016. In these vehicles, the propellant mixing ratio in the igniters of the front passenger airbag assembly may not meet specification. In the event of deployment, the front passenger airbag may therefore not deploy as designed, thereby increasing the risk of injury for the front passenger. For the recalled vehicles, the front passenger airbag assembly was to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please seePRA 2017/16195.
2015-17 Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45: starting current limiter could overheat
In October 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 31 January 2015 to 31 January 2017. If the starter were to become blocked due to prior damage and if multiple and/or extended start attempts were made, then the starting current limiter could be electrically overloaded and overheat. At worst, this could cause nearby components to ignite and cause a fire. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16367.
2013-17 Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45: deployment of driver’s airbag
In February 2018, recall RC2437/A was issued for Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia prior to September 2017. If the steering column was not sufficiently grounded and the steering column switch was damaged or faulty, an electrostatic discharge could cause the driver’s airbag to deploy. If these conditions occurred, an airbag warning message in the instrument cluster display and a red airbag indicator lamp (signalling that the steering column module was damaged/faulty) would alert the driver. If the airbag deployed in the absence of a collision, it could injure and distract the driver. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16572.
2018 model year Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45: front passenger airbag may not deactivate
In January 2019, recall campaign RC2594 was issued for 2018 model year Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 March 2018 to 2 May 2018. In these vehicles, the automatic occupant detection function for the front passenger seat may not comply with specifications. If a rearward-facing child seat was installed in the passenger seat, the front passenger airbag may not be deactivated as intended and could therefore be deployed in the event of a collision – this increased the risk of injury for the child. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17304.
2016-18 Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45: front passenger seat detection
In August 2020, recall campaign RC2749 was issued for Mercedes-AMG C117 CLA 45 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 April 2016 to 28 February 2018. In the front passenger seat, an installed child seat may be identified as a person, or a lightweight person may be identified as a child seat. If the front passenger seat occupant was misidentified, then:
- The front passenger airbag may not deploy as intended, despite the presence of a person in the front passenger seat;
- The front passenger airbag may deploy, despite a child seat being installed.
In the event of a collision, there was an increased risk of injury or death to the person sitting in that seat in the event of a collision. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18462.
Problems and faults: Mercedes C117 CLA 45 AMG
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Mercedes C117 CLA 45 AMG: turbocharger failure due to oil feed line contamination
In January 2015, Mercedes-Benz USA initiated Service Campaign 2014120001 for 2014-15 model year Mercedes-Benz C117 CLA 45 AMG vehicles. In these vehicles, the turbocharger may need to be replaced due to contamination of the oil feed line.
To determine if the turbocharger was to be replaced, axial play in the turbocharger would be measured by pushing the end shaft up to the end stop – by hand – in the direction of the compressor by exerting pressure on the turbine wheel shaft (exhaust side). If axial play exceeded 0.08 mm, this indicated premature wear of the turbo shaft bearings such that the turbocharger and oil feed lines were to be replaced. According to the Service Campaign, the estimated replacement rate was 25 per cent.
