The most-reported CLE run is W1KMJ4HB7RF (2024 builds) with 1 complaints, 1× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 22% of reports; NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for CLE model years 2024–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mercedes-Benz CLE has 5 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 100% of every CLE complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W1KMJ4HB7RF•••••• | 2024 | — | — | |
| W1KMK4HB8RF•••••• | 2024 | — | — | |
| W1KMK4HB5RF•••••• | 2024 | — | — | |
| W1KMJ4HB0RF•••••• | 2024 | 1 | — | |
| W1KMK4HB2RF•••••• | 2024 | — | — |
ForCar has checked 46 CLE VINs so far, most often 2026, 2024, 2025 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 5 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2024 at 1 complaints per run; lightest is 2024 at 1. The 2024 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 22% of everything Mercedes-Benz CLE owners report: Electrical System, 2 of 5 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | — | |
| Gasoline | — | — | |
| Engine | — | — | |
| Parking Brake | 1 | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 4 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz CLE; the 4 below cover build years 2024 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 26V281000 | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel | 2024–2026 |
| 26V481000 | Latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock | 2024 |
| 24V688000 | Parking Brake:electrical:control Module:software | 2024 |
| 24V115000 | Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers | 2024 |
26V281000 was opened in 2026 on cars built from 2024: 2 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 5 reports on the Mercedes-Benz CLE, 20% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Mercedes-Benz CLE | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 5 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 1 (20%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 245% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mercedes-Benz CLE share of that is 5 complaints over 5 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz CLE VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 5 NHTSA complaints from 5 CLE runs and 4 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which CLE production run has the most complaints?
W1KMJ4HB7RF, a 2024 build, with 1 complaints. The typical CLE run has 1.
How many CLE complaints involve a crash?
20% of 5 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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