2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450 has 2 complaints and 198 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to the rearview camera display failing and unintended loss of vehicle motive power due to transmission wiring harness failure. One complaint involved a black rearview camera image while reversing; the other involved the vehicle losing power unexpectedly but was later repaired by the dealer.
Common Issues- Rearview camera failure. The rearview camera image may become black or not display while reversing, limiting rear visibility.
- Motive power loss. The vehicle can lose motive power unexpectedly during operation due to transmission wiring harness faults, causing difficulty in driving.
The 198 recalls involve various vehicle systems including communication modules, electrical components, safety systems, and engine cooling. These recalls address defects that may affect emergency call functionality, vehicle stability, occupant safety, and essential vehicle operations.
Recalls- Communication module software. (NHTSA 22V365000) Affects 242,722 vehicles including CLS-Class models. Software errors in the SIM card can disrupt mobile network connection disabling the emergency call (eCall) system. This failure may delay emergency response. The fix updates software Over-the-Air or at dealers free of charge.
- Rearview camera display. (NHTSA 22V232000) Affects 126,443 vehicles. The rearview camera may not show images due to software error, reducing rear visibility and increasing crash risk. Dealers will provide a free software update to fix the issue.
- 12-Volt battery securing. (NHTSA 22V733000) Affects 19,968 vehicles including 2019 CLS450. Improperly secured battery can disconnect electrical safety features during a crash, potentially disabling emergency calls, hazard lights, and door locks. Dealers will secure the battery free of charge.
- Engine coolant pump wiring. (NHTSA 19V605000) Applies to 3,264 CLS450 Coupe vehicles. Electrical line to the coolant pump may chafe against fan, causing pump malfunction or 48V system shutdown. This can lead to engine stall or restart failure. Dealers inspect and repair wiring as needed.
- Front seat belt sensor. (NHTSA 19V788000) Covers 29,720 vehicles including CLS450. Seat belts may incorrectly register as unfastened despite being buckled, possibly deactivating pretensioners and safety features. Inspections and replacements of affected buckles are free.
- Communication module GPS location. (NHTSA 21V058000) Affects over 1.2 million vehicles including CLS450. Software may fail to relay correct location to emergency services, delaying crash response. A software update can fix this issue at no cost.
- Seat belt warning system. (NHTSA 20V449000) For 56 vehicles including CLS450 with replaced instrument clusters. Software may cause the warning to show only a solid light without audible alert, reducing buckle reminders. Dealers will update software free.
- Central Powertrain Controller. (NHTSA 18V761000) Applies to 119 vehicles including CLS450. The control unit may reset while driving causing engine stalls and crash risk. Software updates will be provided free of charge.
- Steering rack locknut. (NHTSA 18V850000) Covers 6,373 vehicles. A locknut in the steering rack may break under heavy load, causing the steering to stick and raising crash risk. A free replacement of the steering rack is available.
- Horizontal headlight adjustment. (NHTSA 18V911000) Affects 104 vehicles CLS450 included. Improperly sealed adjustment screws may cause headlights to be misaligned, reducing visibility. Dealers will inspect and seal screws at no charge.
- Radar sensor software. (NHTSA 19V540000) Applies to 1,957 vehicles. A software fault may impair Active Brake Assist, which may not apply brakes as intended, increasing crash risk. A software update is provided free by dealers.
- Occupant Classification System calibration. (NHTSA 18V515000) For 345 CLS450 vehicles. The front passenger airbag may not deactivate for child seats increasing injury risk. Dealers will replace the passenger seat cushion free of charge.
Owners with repeated repairs, unresolved recall issues, or safety-related defects may have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting a consumer protection attorney can help clarify options regarding warranty and legal protections.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450 Summary
2019
Model Year
2
Total Complaints
12
Total Recalls
1723329
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
126443 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
19968 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 CLS450 Coupe and AMG E53, 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 Coupe, and 2021-2022 E450 vehicles. The 12-Volt battery in the trunk may not be properly secured, which, in the event of a crash, can cause electrical connection failure, disabling various safety features including, emergency call (eCall) system, electric seat adjustment, hazard warning lights, and automatic door locks.
Risk: The inability to operate safety features (eCall system, hazard lights, electric seats, or automatic door locks) can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
242722 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
1292258 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
56 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300, C300 Coupe, CLS450, E450 Coupe and S450, 2017-2019 E300, 2018 E400 Coupe, E400 Stationwagon, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles that have previously had the instrument cluster replaced. The software in the replaced instrument cluster may cause the seat belt warning system to not operate properly, only displaying a solid warning light if either the driver or passenger seat belt is unfastened, instead of a blinking light with an audible tone.
Risk: Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
29720 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E400 Wagon 4MATIC, E400 4MATIC, E43 AMG 4MATIC, 2018-2019 E63S AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E63 AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E300, E300 4MATIC, GLC63S Coupe AMG 4MATIC, 2019 CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, CLS53 AMG 4MATIC, E450 Wagon, E53 AMG 4MATIC, GLC300, GLC63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, G550 4MATIC, G63 AMG, GLC300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC300 4MATIC, GLC350e 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG 4MATIC, GLC63 AMG 4MATIC, GT63 AMG four-door 4MATIC, and GT63S AMG four-door 4MATIC vehicles. Although correctly fastened, the front seat belts may be inaccurately detected as being unfastened, which may cause the electric PRE-SAFE®-function and the pretensioner to be deactivated.
Risk: The electric PRE-SAFE®-function and the seat belt pretensioners may not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
3264 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 CLS 450 Coupe and CLS 450 Coupe 4MATIC vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder gasoline engines. The electrical line that supplies power to the engine coolant pump may contact the engine fan and chafe, possibly causing a malfunction of the coolant pump or a deactivation of the 48V on-board electrical system.
Risk: A malfunctioning engine coolant pump can increase coolant temperatures, possibly leading to an engine stall. Deactivation of the 48V on-board electrical system can cause the vehicle to not restart after using the ECO start/stop function or "Glide" mode. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
1957 vehicles affected
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300 Cabrio, C300A Cabrio 4MATIC, C300 Coupe, C300 Coupe 4MATIC, C300, C300 4MATIC, C43 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, C43 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, C43 AMG 4MATIC, C63 AMG Cabrio, C63S AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C63 AMG, C63S AMG, CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, CLS53 AMG 4MATIC, E300, E300 4MATIC, E450 Cabrio, E450 Cabrio 4MATIC, E450 Coupe, E450 Coupe 4MATIC, E450 Wagon 4MATIC, E450 4MATIC, E53 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, E53 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, E53 AMG 4MATIC, E63S AMG 4MATIC, E63S AMG Wagon 4MATIC, S450, S450 4MATIC, S560 Cabrio, S560 Coupe 4MATIC, S560, S560 4MATIC, S560 4MATIC Maybach, S63 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, S63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, S63 AMG 4MATIC, S65 AMG Cabrio, S65 AMG, and AMG GT53 Coupe 4MATIC vehicles, and 2020 GLC300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLE350 4MATIC, and GLE450 4MATIC vehicles equipped with the Driver Assistance Package. A software error in the radar sensor control unit may impair the functionality of the Active Brake Assist.
Risk: An impaired Active Brake Assist may not automatically apply partial or full braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
104 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, and CLS53 AMG vehicles. The horizontal adjustment screw may not be effectively sealed, allowing the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, & Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the headlights are not properly adjusted, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
6373 vehicles affected
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019 C300, C350e, C63 AMG, C63S AMG Cabrio, 2018 C63 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, E300, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2019 CLS450, E450 Cabrio, and E450 Coupe rear-wheel drive vehicles. A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.
Risk: A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
119 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300, C300 4Matic, C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C43 AMG, C43 AMG Cabrio, C43 AMG Coupe, CLS450, CLS450 4Matic, CLS53 AMG 4Matic, E53 AMG 4Matic, E450 4Matic, E450 4Matic Coupe, E53 AMG 4Matic Coupe, G550, and G63 AMG vehicles. The Central Powertrain Controller (CPC) control unit could reset while driving, possibly causing an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
345 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300, E300 4Matic, E43 AMG 4Matic, E400 4Matic, E63S AMG 4Matic+, and 2019 CLS450 4Matic vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in the front seat.
Risk: If a child seat is in the front seat and the passenger air bag is not deactivated, in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Complaints
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
ID: 2119679ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted; however, the contact was able to continue driving to the destination at slow speeds. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission wiring harness. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V445000 (Electrical System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450
ID: 2103962BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS450. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was black. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V232000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.