Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 243 owner complaints and 28 recalls on file for the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 (2014–2026). The 2015 GLA 250 has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.

Complaints
243
Recalls
28
Model years
13
Worst year
2015

Complaints by model year

120146020154120162220174320182920191020201820214202282023220243202522026
NHTSA complaints per Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 — 60 complaints, 1 fire; top problem: Engine
  2. 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 — 41 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Engine
  3. 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 — 29 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  4. 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 — 43 complaints; top problem: Engine
  5. 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 — 18 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Engine

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2022 (4 complaints).

Every Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 GLA 25020001Body & Structure
2025 GLA 25031011Brakes
2024 GLA 25020002Electrical System
2023 GLA 25081011Engine
2022 GLA 25040002Engine
2021 GLA 250181029Engine
2020 GLA 250100015Electrical System
2019 GLA 2502920211Transmission & Drivetrain
2018 GLA 2504300012Engine
2017 GLA 250220009Electrical System
2016 GLA 250411024Engine
2015 GLA 250600105Engine
2014 GLA 25011020Driver Assistance & Safety Tech

Most common Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problem areas (all years)

  • Engine
    66 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    41 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    35 complaints
  • Electrical System
    33 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    23 complaints
  • Airbags
    20 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    19 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    17 complaints
  • Steering
    12 complaints
  • Brakes
    11 complaints

Complaint trend

202020222023202420252026
Complaints about the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 received by NHTSA each month.

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 recalls

  • Recall 26V481000Jul 24, 2026310,667 vehiclesModel years 2021–2025

    Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 26V134000Mar 6, 202610 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: A door that cannot be opened may trap occupants inside the vehicle, which can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 25V511000Aug 8, 2025136 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: Incorrectly aimed headlights can reduce driver visibility or create a glare for oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V854000Dec 15, 20232,976 vehiclesModel years 2015–2019

    Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V732000Nov 1, 202342,742 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V662000Oct 2, 202332 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: Incorrectly adjusted headlights can reduce the visibility of oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V365000May 20, 2022242,722 vehiclesModel years 2017–2021

    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.

  • Recall 22V232000Apr 8, 2022126,443 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V125000Mar 4, 20224 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Reduced brake performance can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, detached brake components can create a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash for other drivers.

  • Recall 21V961000Dec 13, 2021139 vehiclesModel years 2019–2020

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 21V354000May 14, 2021343,191 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 21V229000Apr 1, 20214,992 vehiclesModel years 2017–2018

    Risk: A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V197000Mar 19, 202115,096 vehiclesModel years 2015–2020

    Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V102000Feb 22, 202136 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Inadvertent air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury for an occupant in the front passenger seat, and increase the possibility of a vehicle crash.

  • Recall 21V072000Feb 12, 202167 vehiclesModel years 2017–2021

    Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V058000Feb 5, 20211,292,258 vehiclesModel years 2017–2021

    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.

  • Recall 21V033000Jan 29, 20214 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: If the transmission shifts into neutral while driving, there would be loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 20V672000Oct 30, 202047 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: A loss of engine operation, power steering assist, ESP system, or Active Brake Assist can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 19V787000Nov 1, 201924,226 vehiclesModel years 2015–2016

    Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 19V585000Aug 12, 20193,435 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: The seatbelt for a passenger seated in the rear middle seating position might not be properly secured, which could increase the risk of an injury in the event of a crash.

  • Recall 19V132000Feb 26, 20198 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: If the upper anchorage point is covered, the child seat will not be able to be secured as intended in the center position of the rear seat, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  • Recall 18V912000Dec 19, 201813 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: Water leaking into the vehicle from around the sunroof may affect the electrical contacts of the window air bag, potentially causing the window air bag to not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  • Recall 18V405000Jun 15, 2018399 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: If the top tether anchorage point is missing, a child seat will not be able to be properly installed in the center rear seat position, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 17V653000Oct 16, 20178 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: Reduced headlight range can affect visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 17V627000Oct 6, 2017495,290 vehiclesModel years 2015–2018

    Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology