The Mercedes-Benz CLE spans 2024–2026 with 5 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2024, 2026, 2025 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2025, 2026, 2024. It delivers up to 28 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2024 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Mercedes-Benz CLE VIN — every digit explained
Every Mercedes-Benz CLE carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Mercedes-Benz and the country it was built in (real Mercedes-Benz codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this CLE.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyW1H · W1K · W1N · W1W · W1Y · W1Z
- USA1MB · 4JG · 55S · WD0 · WD8 · WDW
- Argentina8BR · 8BT · 8BU
- Brazil9DB
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your CLE, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz CLE have?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE has 5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2024–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE recalls 1
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
What's wrong. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.
Risk. An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.
2025 Mercedes-Benz CLE recalls 1
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
What's wrong. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.
Risk. An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE recalls 3
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
What's wrong. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C300, AMG C43, S580e, S580, Maybach S580, Maybach S680, AMG SL43, AMGSL63, GLC300, EQE350, EQE500, EQS450, EQS580, AMG EQS, 2023 S500, AMG SL55, AMG EQE, 2024 E350, E450, AMG C63e S, CLE300 Coupe, CLE450 Coupe, and GLC300 Coupe vehicles. The 80-Amp fuses may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the fuses to fail.
Risk. An 80-Amp fuse that fails can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024030008.
Parking Brake:electrical:control Module:software
What's wrong. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024 CLE 300 Convertible, CLE 300 Coupe, CLE 450 Convertible, CLE 450 Coupe, E 350, E 450 Station Wagon, E 450, and AMG CLE 53 Coupe vehicles. A software error in the MBUX multimedia system may deactivate certain vehicle systems, including the cross-traffic alert that applies the brakes automatically in certain driving situations.
Risk. An automatic emergency braking system that does not function as intended can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the MBUX multimedia system software and parking control unit settings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2024. This is a phased recall, phase 1 owner letters will be mailed November 12, 2024, November 1, 2024, and January 14, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
What's wrong. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.
Risk. An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 8, 2026.
Best and worst years for the Mercedes-Benz CLE
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 3 tracked years, the worst years are 2024, 2026, 2025 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2025, 2026, 2024.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 CLE | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2025 CLE | — | Avoid | |
| 2026 CLE | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Mercedes-Benz CLE problems?
The most-reported Mercedes-Benz CLE problems are Engine (2 reports), Gasoline (1 reports) and Equipment (1 reports) — out of 6 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Mercedes-Benz CLE specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE measures 191″ long on a 113″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,134 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Mercedes-Benz CLE window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 191″ | 73″ | 56″ | 113″ | 4,134 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Mercedes-Benz CLE cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the CLE holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 88 cu ft of passenger volume and 11 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Mercedes-Benz CLE tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Mercedes-Benz CLE get?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE returns up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,750/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE (2L 4-cyl Hybrid) gets 27 mpg combined and costs about $2,850/yr to fuel, emitting 323 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10) — about $3,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CLE | 24 | 33 | $2,850 | 323 | — | 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2025 CLE | 24 | 33 | $2,850 | 323 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2024 CLE | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 324 | 8/10 | 2L 4-cyl Hybrid |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the CLE stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this CLE's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Mercedes-Benz CLE have? Power & range
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz CLE cost to own?
A Mercedes-Benz CLE tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this CLE loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the CLE ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Mercedes-Benz CLE to insure?
A Mercedes-Benz CLE costs about $1,796 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 25% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (125, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the CLE's HLDI loss index. See Mercedes-Benz insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLE safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the CLE yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz CLE last?
A well-maintained Mercedes-Benz CLE typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Mercedes-Benz CLE’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this CLE’s VIN free →All Mercedes-Benz CLE model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Mercedes-Benz CLE — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CLE | 1 recall | — | |
| 2025 CLE | 1 recall | — | |
| 2024 CLE | 3 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the CLE?
By owner-complaint volume, 2024, 2026, 2025 drew the most reports. 2025, 2026, 2024 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the CLE have?
5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2024–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Mercedes-Benz recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the CLE get?
Up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a CLE last?
A well-maintained CLE typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the CLE reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the CLE is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Mercedes-Benz CLE warranty?
New Mercedes-Benz models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Where is the Mercedes-Benz CLE made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your CLE's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Mercedes-Benz may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a CLE weigh?
The CLE's curb weight is around 4,134 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the CLE have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.