2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10954279 · 2017-02-13 (February 13, 2017)
DRIVING 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY, 12K MILES ON MY 2016 CAR AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT THE TOP OF MY CAR. SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST, SHREDS OF GLASS EVERYWHERE. NO WARNINGS, SOUNDS, ANY IDEA ABOUT TO OCCUR.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10954279 at NHTSA ↗
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 11044216 · 2017-11-07 (November 7, 2017)
"TAKATA RECALL" WHAT PURPOSE DOES THIS RECALL SERVE IF THE MANUFACTURER STILL DOES NOT HAVE A "REMEDY" AVAILABLE? I HAVE 3 BENZ'S, ALL AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND FOR OVER 1 YEAR THE DEALER CANNOT REPAIR DUE TO "NO REMEDY YET AVAIL". SO IN THE MEANTIME, WE SHOULD DRIVE AND PRAY THAT SOMETHING TRAGIC DOES NOT OCCUR?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11044216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052795 · 2017-12-06 (December 6, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF FAIRFIELD (165 COMMERCE DR, FAIRFIELD, CT 06825 [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. A TIME FRAME FOR ESTIMATED REPAIR WAS NOT GIVEN TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11052795 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11060972 · 2018-01-07 (January 7, 2018)
I HAVE A INFANT ON BOARD WITH ME, AND TRAVELS WITH ME, FROM FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA TO HAMPTON, VIRGINIA.WE CLOUD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON THE WAY HOME TO THANKS GIVING DINNER LAST MONTHIN HAMPTON. SO, MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND I LEFT LEFT FREDERICKSBURG, VI ALL OF A SUDDEN MY MERCEDES GLA 250 2016 SLAMMED IN PARK ON I-95 SOUTH, I THOUGH IT WAS THE AUTOMATIC SENSOR, THE GREEN A BUTTON. I WAS ALMOST STRUCK IN THE BACK. I THEN STARTED VEHICLE UP AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT IN THE SLOWER LANES. THEN THE AUTOMATIC SENSOR CAME ON " YOU KNOW THE GREEN A BUTTON,I T…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11060972 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 11205903 · 2019-05-06 (May 6, 2019)
ON AUGUST 4TH, 2018, SEPTEMBER 21ST ,2018 AND JANUARY 10TH, 2019, MY 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 SHUTDOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SPECIFICALLY, IN ALL 3 OCCASIONS MENTIONED ABOVE, MY VEHICLE SHUT-DOWNED AND BECAME DISABLED AND NON-OPERATIONAL, ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS WHILE DRIVING. THE OCCURRENCE ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2018 WAS THE MOST SEVERE AND HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR ON I-93 WHERE WE ALMOST GOT HIT BY INCOMING TRAFFIC FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT NOBODY WAS HURT. SINCE THE CAR HAD STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HI…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205903 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V627000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2017-10-06 (October 6, 2017)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
Consequence: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V787000 · Communication
Reported: 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Consequence: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V197000 · Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
Reported: 2021-03-19 (March 19, 2021)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V854000 · Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
Reported: 2023-12-15 (December 15, 2023)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
NHTSA campaign record ↗