2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
42,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 47 complaints (21.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 17.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 10.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 6.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Wheels | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
Engine: 10; Electrical System: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9; Power Train: 6; Air Bags: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Wheels: 5; Structure:Body: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 31 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 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 6; 2023: 6; 2024: 8; 2025: 14; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 11321182 · 2020-04-15 (April 15, 2020)
CAR BATTERY DIES IF VEHICLE NOT DRIVEN OFTEN AND/OR FOR LONGER DISTANCES. THIS WAS NOT EXPLAINED AT TIME OF SALE NOR DOES MANUAL MENTION. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT THAT BATTERY IS LOW. NO FIX. TOLD I SHOULD HOOK UP TO TRICKLE CHARGER. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11321182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11362772 · 2020-10-05 (October 5, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. OVER TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FEATURES ON THE STEERING CEASED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS (1705 BOGGS RD NW, DULUTH, GA 30096) WHERE IT REMAINED IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER WHILE WAITING TO BE DIAGNOSED. UPON INVESTIGATION, AN INDEPENDENT …
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11362772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479690 · 2022-08-16 (August 16, 2022)
Summary: Transmission automatically shifts out of drive into neutral. Loss of ability to accelerate when transmission shifts to neutral. No preemptive warnings from the vehicle prior to incident. After transmission shifts to neutral, warning displaying, "Do not shift, bring vehicle for service" appears on multifunction display. Same safety issue as described in NHTSA recall #: 21V-033. Sequence of events: When driving on the highway, transmission automatically shifted from drive to neutral, resulting in a loss of power. Was able to coast to si…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11622356 · 2024-10-28 (October 28, 2024)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted to neutral. No warning light was illuminated; however, the message "Transmission Error" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. A dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11622356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11644599 · 2025-02-24 (February 24, 2025)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 196,077.
Owner-reported narrative. 197,077 miles reported. Look up ODI 11644599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493542 · 2022-11-14 (November 14, 2022)
In July 2022 I was a few miles from my home when the cluster starting showing warning lights. It started scrolling inoperative power brakes, inoperative steering and inoperative parking. Also the cluster was completely lit up. I turned the car around and put it in my garage. This is where the issues really started. The car would not go into park or turn off. I sat with my foot on the brake for 30 minutes trying to continue turning the car off or put in park. I finally had my wife take the key and walk 1/8 mile away before the care would …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11627247 · 2024-11-25 (November 25, 2024)
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while his mother was driving 45 MPH, the message that reverse was not available was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted into neutral independently and the ABS inadvertently engaged. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the wheel center and transmission needed to be replaced. The wheel center was replaced; however, the transmission was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact re…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,762 miles reported. Look up ODI 11627247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11645071 · 2025-02-26 (February 26, 2025)
There was a gas smell that would seep into the driving cabin from the engine. It was intermittent however when it did occur, the smell was strong enough to cause light headedness to the occupants of the vehicle. I took the car to my personal mechanic who told me that this was a common issue with these cars; however, Mercedes had not issued a recall. I my mechanic fix the issue since they had already diagnosed the problem. I did some research and discovered that there is class action law suit regarding this same issue. (Please see link belo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11645071 at NHTSA ↗