Battery issues are the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The first Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class car was launched in 2004. The original C219 model was a sedan that was based on the existing E-Class platform. The second-generation C218 was launched in 2010, and the third generation C257, in 2018.
An executive series, it was hugely popular at first, but sales figures show its popularity consistently fading.
Sales of the 2020 model are the highest of the third generation, although dramatically lower than initial sales. For example, in 2005, sales peaked at 14,835, dropping to 10,763 a year later. There were ups and downs after that, with 8,065 being the next highest sales figure in 2012. By 2017 the figures were down to 1,839, 943 and 941 in 2018 and 2019, and up a little to 1,206 in 2020.
Nevertheless, complaints to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) don’t mirror any consistent dissatisfaction. There were no complaints about the 2018 CLS-Class, 7 in 2019, and only 1 about the 2020 model.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2019
The only complaint about the 2020 CLS-Class relates to its 48V battery. It’s worth noting that 2 of the 7 complaints about the 2019 model were also related to the battery. There are further details in our articles that highlight 2019 CLS problems and top complaints.
Lemberg Law has identified that this is a common issue with several Mercedes-Benz models. If you have a similar 48-volt issues with your 2020 CLS, you are welcome to contact us. You might have a lemon law claim.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Wheels |
The battery problem complaint is filed on the NHTSA website under 2 categories, Electrical System and Engine.
“The 2020 Mercedes CLS has a known defect in their 48V system that turns the engine off in locations with high heat zones. I was told by the Mercedes service department this has been occurring in Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Nevada, and Saudi Arabia. It’s a known issue that they are unable to fix currently.
“I had my children in the car when I was making a left-hand turn in a major intersection and the car just stalled on me, leaving me in a panic to try to start the car again before getting into an accident.
“Mercedes provided me a loaner while they tried to fix my car. I waited 9 weeks to see if they can fix it, but they are not able to. I have contacted the Mercedes dealership as well as the local dealership and told them I no longer want to lease this vehicle as it is a danger to my family. They would not take the car nor offer a buyback option. The only option given was a trade-in lease. But the options for a car comparable was non-existent in the United States as their inventory is extremely limited.”
Ultimately, this complainant was advised that Mercedes-Beanz would reimburse the equivalent of 2 months of the lease payments. But this was on condition that, “I sign this release that they are not liable for any damages or if me or my family get hurt they are not responsible.”
The complaint continues, “I feel this is blackmail and a terrible way of hiding a dangerous car.”
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Mercedes-Benz has issued three technical services bulletins (TSBs) about faulty 48V batteries. All three apply to the 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS.
If you believe you have a lemon and the dealership refuses a settlement deal, you need a legal firm like Lemberg Law to negotiate on your behalf. We have negotiated many settlement deals for our clients.
So, if you think you’ve bought or are leasing a lemon, contact our Helpline so that we can assess your problems. You’ve got nothing to lose because the law says Mercedes-Benz has to pay all the legal fees of lemon law cases.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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