2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
62,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 29 complaints (27.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 20.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 13.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 2 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 2 |
Electrical System: 8; Engine: 8; Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Power Train: 3; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 21 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2017: 5; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 4; 2024: 5; 2025: 4; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10983230 · 2017-05-03 (May 3, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT WAS LOANED A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE WHILE HIS VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT THE DEALER. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE GARAGE AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO THE BATTERY HAVING A SHORT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT'S GRANDDAUGHTER HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. THE LOCAL FIRE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10983230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11004749 · 2017-07-12 (July 12, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLA250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V114000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN APRIL OF 2016. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF TAMPA 4400 N DALE MABRY HWY, TAMPA, FL, 33614) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR AND THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO WAIT ON THE INTERIM LETTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR, …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11004749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11150118 · 2018-11-08 (November 8, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AROUND 70 MPH, THE IP DISPLAY JUST SUDDENLY DISAPPEAR FOR 1 SPLIT SECOND, THEN THE CAR SHIFTED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL AND DISPLAYED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION STOP", THEN I COASTED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AREA OF THE FREEWAY, THEN I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED FOR 1-2 MINUTES, THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY ISSUE. IT HAPPENED 2 DAYS IN THE ROW-ONE IS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON; THE OTHER ONE THIS MORNING.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11181284 · 2019-02-20 (February 20, 2019)
ON 12/23/18 AND AGAIN ON 2/19/19 MY 2017 GLA SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. MY DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL THE RADIO STOPPED PLAYING OR SKIPPED IN AND OUT. AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION STOP" ON BOTH OCCASIONS MY DEALER HAS SAID IT NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. BUT OF COURSE IT HAS HAPPENED 2 TIME IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING MALEFUNTION. I DON'T BELIEVE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE IS THE ISSUE. SURELY A S…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11181284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11634299 · 2025-01-06 (January 6, 2025)
Check engine light received a diagnosis from Mercedes dealership that the crankcase ventilator line is malfunctioning and it’s a very common issue with this model. The transmission stalls during driving, the gears do not jump properly and the car cannot reverse, extremely dangerous at intersections and on the highway. Car needs to be turned off, cooled and restarted. This issue first appeared within a month of owning the vehicle from a certified Mercedes dealership. Refused to help during COVID, and by the time they were taking appointments aga…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11634299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11675140 · 2025-07-21 (July 21, 2025)
To Whom It May Concern at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I am submitting this complaint regarding the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class vehicles equipped with the M274 engine, which have been unfairly excluded from recent recall campaigns affecting this engine family. The same engine (M274) in other models , including the C-Class (C300), E-Class, and GLC-Class from the same model years , has been recalled due to serious issues affecting engine reliability and safety. The specific issue I (and many other GLA owners) have enc…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11675140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437902 · 2021-10-23 (October 23, 2021)
Car was driving two separate times and it turned on an auto magic braking system Or engine stopped on freeway
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11437902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11496732 · 2022-12-09 (December 9, 2022)
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the horn and the speedometer failed to operate. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number; however, the contact was still awaiting a call back. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,605 miles reported. Look up ODI 11496732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11573477 · 2024-02-22 (February 22, 2024)
Smelling gas in the inside of vehicle when starting the engine. The smell of gas while driving dizzy and headache have drive with windows down until smell is no longer in the inside of vehicle. Took vehicle in and was charged $1500 no smell for about a week then called to let them know issue is still there took car back and was told the couldn’t smell anything. Started February 2023 as of today one year later still have the gas smell in vehicle repair shop is just taking my money and want me to keep bring in vehicle but issues still exist.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11573477 at NHTSA ↗