2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
35,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 49 complaints (34.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 12.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 10.2% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 10.2% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 17; Engine: 15; Air Bags: 8; Electrical System: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Power Train: 4; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2016: 1; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 7; 2022: 4; 2023: 10; 2024: 11; 2025: 2; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11003181 · 2017-07-05 (July 5, 2017)
THE REAR AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKES SOMETIMES DO NOT RELEASE AFTER DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR THROUGH PUDDLES. THIS HAPPENS AFTER THE CAR IS PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS. SO FAR, THE BRAKES HAVE BROKEN FREE AFTER APPLYING AN EXTRA AMOUNT OF GAS. THEN, A LOUD BANG IS HEARD WHEN THE BRAKES LET GO. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS IN A TIGHT PARKING SPOT, WITH CARS IN FRONT AND IN BACK? WITH THE SUDDEN RELEASE OF THE BRAKES, THE CAR MAY LURCH INTO EITHER OF THE CARS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,065 miles reported. Look up ODI 11003181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374745 · 2020-11-15 (November 15, 2020)
ON AN INITIAL START OF DRIVE, AS SOON AS THE ECO SYSTEM KICKS IN. WHEN L RELEASE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, AND BEFORE L EVEN TOUCH THE GAS THE CAR INSTANTLY CUTS OUT WITH THIS WARNING'SERVICE REQUIRED DO NOT SHIFT GEARS VISIT DEALER' AND AUTOMOBILE GOES INTO 'N'. I THEN PROCEED TO PUT THE CAR IN 'D' AND CAN THEN CONTINUE, BUT THE ECO SYSTEM IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR THE DURATION OF THAT DRIVE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN L GOT IN MY CAR L TURN THE ECO CAPABILITY OFF AND DIDN'T EXPERIENCE THE MALFUNCTION. THIS OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET TWICE BETWEEN 7 NO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11374745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11494864 · 2022-11-25 (November 25, 2022)
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while at a traffic light the vehicle stalled and shifted into neutral. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V627000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted but the contact was unable to schedule an appointment. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11494864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11496752 · 2022-12-09 (December 9, 2022)
Dec 2- filled car with gas, check engine light illuminated and then three more errors displayed on the dash. See list below. Errors displayed on dash… 1-INOPERATIVE -- SEE OPERATOR’S MANUAL (Shows ABS and skid icons) 2-COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS INOPERATIVE 3-ABS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE – SEE OWNER’S MANUAL 4-CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON Later that same day, Dec 2, we started the car but could not get it into Reverse. We shut the car off, started it again, and were able to shift into reverse and proceed. Dec 3rd- we attempted to remove a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11496752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11373880 · 2020-11-09 (November 9, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN MOTION AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE CAR DECELERATED AND SUBSEQUENTLY STALLED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON I-85 IN GAFFNEY SOUTH CAROLINA. IT WENT FROM 50 TO 0 LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH CHARLOTTE WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE
Owner-reported narrative. 43,313 miles reported. Look up ODI 11373880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431507 · 2021-09-02 (September 2, 2021)
Lane departure warning, blind spot assist and emergency braking stopped working all at one in May 2021. Left it for service at the local dealership and they changed one of the 'modules' only for the problem to reoccur one week after picking it up, this time with the engine stalling and having to pull over from the middle lane of the highway. Car has been with Mercedes benz Danbury, CT dealer since July 12th 2021 and they are still unsure what is happening. Mercedes Benz seems aware of the risks involved with a stalled engine and provided me wi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10861236 · 2016-04-25 (April 25, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-54 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MADE A RUMBLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED 1,400 RPMS/55 MPH, THE FAILURE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11540872 · 2023-08-26 (August 26, 2023)
All warning lights on dashboard lights up while driving. Got two diagnostic tests and conclusion is steering column module needs to be replaced 2016 had a recall between 2015-2018 on Gla250 2nd diagnostic test the SRS Module needs to be replaced it sounds like a manufactured problem and Mercedes Benz repair shop needs to investigate because it’s a hazardous safety issue lights on dashboard lights up are traction control airbags off brake lights cruise control and SES all reads malfunctioning see dealership
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11540872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11079661 · 2018-03-15 (March 15, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND HAD TO BE JUMPSTARTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY AND ELECTRONIC BOARD REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF STEVENS CREEK (4500 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA, 95129, [pho…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11079661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11546542 · 2023-09-26 (September 26, 2023)
The vehicle change's gears and automatically switch to neutral while driving. I almost had a major accident on the interstate. This happened several times and the last time it happened was on September 23rd. The first time the incident happened I was told that it was a sensor in the car and was charged $700 and 4 days later it happened again. I took the car in again and now I am being charged for a new valve body in the transmission and a battery replaced aux battery. In my opinion that is a default not a maintenance issue and I should not…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11546542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11581399 · 2024-04-05 (April 5, 2024)
Following regular maintenance of my 2016 GLA 250 with my mechanic for the car repeatedly stalling, the mechanic discovered there is a fuel leak causing the fuel injectors and fuel rall to not get proper fuel injection. The mechanic found a manufacturer’s recall for the make, model, and year of my car. My car’s VIN# says this particular car is not affected. However, the exact issue is presenting in my car, which can cause significant engine damage. It’s believed my car, with the same make, model& year, is indeed impacted by this issue. My VIN sh…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11581399 at NHTSA ↗