Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
48
Latest Apr 18, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
4
Reports on file since Apr 25, 2016
What this page shows
Our database holds 48 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 48 · page 1 of 2
Filed Apr 18, 2026
Panoramic sunroof fails to open/ close evenly due to plastic track failure. One side binds while the other moves, causing glass to tilt and jam. Risk of glass shattering, sudden detachment, distraction while driving, and water intrusion affecting airbags/electronics.
NHTSA ID
11732038
Incident
Apr 11, 2026
Airbags
Filed Jan 30, 2026
Crash reported2 injuries reported
My car totaled by another car and my air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA ID
11714576
Incident
Dec 21, 2025
Engine
Filed Jan 14, 2026
I am reporting a P052E fault code related to the crankcase ventilation system on my Mercedes-Benz GLA. This is a known and widespread defect on multiple Mercedes-Benz models and is commonly covered under service bulletins and extended warranties up to 150,000 miles. My vehicle has 92,000 miles. However, Mercedes-Benz has refused coverage, stating that the GLA model is not included, despite extensive evidence that this same defect affects GLA vehicles. Numerous documented owner reports and forum discussions confirm identical failures on GLA models. This appears to be a systemic defect rather than normal wear. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue and require Mercedes-Benz to extend coverage and assume responsibility for repairs on affected GLA vehicles.
NHTSA ID
11711026
Incident
Jan 14, 2026
AirbagsSteering
Filed Oct 16, 2025
My airbag malfunction light appeared on the dashboard. Once the light appeared, the HORN STOPPED WORKING, a safety hazard that caused me not to be able to drive my vehicle for over a year due to the risk! I took the vehicle to the Mercedes-Benz dealership, 200 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304, and was told that the recall was closed and that they could not assist me. I was advised to contact NHTSA. PLEASE HELP AS I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE & BE SAFE ON THE ROAD! This is a huge safety hazard!!
NHTSA ID
11693888
Incident
Mar 2, 2025
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 17, 2025
My GLA250 Instrument Cluster had been glitching out. The turn signals indicators would go off when the turn signal lights are initiated. The Check engine light, high beam light, and other warning lights come on for no reason, or dim or no backlight, inaccurate gauge readings, erratic gauge needle movement, and even a completely dead cluster. I took the car to the dealership and they said the instrument cluster was faulty and needed to be replace. The car is still at the dealership because they haven't figured out how to program it right. Since the instrument cluster is a vital component of the vehicles safety feature, this should be a recall. I have spent $3500.00 to fix an issue that should not have occurred since the car is only 6 years old. There are several online forums that discuss this very same issue that Mercedes is having with their instrument clusters.
NHTSA ID
11648710
Incident
Feb 21, 2025
Filed Oct 14, 2024
CEL P052E POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION REGULATOR VALVE PERFORMANCE MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA ID
11619741
Incident
Oct 9, 2024
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 24, 2024
Transmission from drive well sometimes shift to neutral while it is at a stand still usually waiting for a light to turn green, after which it takes its time to shift back into drive. While this happened a warning light appeared malfunction take straight to dealer. Yesterday seems as if ABS kicked in while driving, threw me into the steering wheel than stopped shaking within 1-2 sec, and let me accelerate off. Was passing in an individual at the time. Don’t know what to make of it.
NHTSA ID
11610643
Incident
Aug 20, 2024
Engine
Filed Jul 28, 2024
Engine runs fine while driving and then cuts off while coming to a stop. This happened three (3) times last week since 7/23/24. Each time it happened I was stopping at a traffic light! After the failure a warning lamp flashed something about, Do Not Change Gears. Will make appointment to have it checked out as soon as possible.
NHTSA ID
11604990
Incident
Jul 23, 2024
Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2024
Fault code P052E71 crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. This seems to be a common issue with 4 cylinder turbo engines. Dealer charged $2500 to replace, and even after replacements system fails again within 1-2 years.
NHTSA ID
11596273
Incident
Jun 1, 2024
Engine
Filed Jun 14, 2024
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the crankcase ventilation system had failed. The dealer determined that the engine oil separator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown Extended Warranty Coverage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,180.
NHTSA ID
11594424
Incident
Jun 11, 2024
Mileage
88,180 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed May 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes Benz GLA. The contact stated that the check engine light had appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer determined that the crankcase ventilation valve had malfunctioned which blocked the actuator. As a result, both the fuel and the oil had started to mix inside the engine which caused the ventilation valve to not close as intended. The contact was given an estimate for repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
NHTSA ID
11586706
Incident
Apr 3, 2024
Mileage
63,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 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 should be considered to be included to have this recall.
NHTSA ID
11581399
Incident
Mar 18, 2024
Visibility
Filed Mar 15, 2024
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA ID
11577510
Incident
Oct 3, 2023
Visibility
Filed Mar 5, 2024
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA ID
11575598
Incident
Oct 3, 2023
Filed Mar 2, 2024
While driving the vehicle the system shows SOS as inoperable and requires constant acknowledgment by the driver while the car is in motion. This is a safety issue especially when driving and the driver loses focus on the road, it removes the digital speedometer and has to acknowledge the system error and potentially can be in an accident when not focusing on the road. Mercedes mbrace no longer supports the system due to an obsolete 3g system that is utilized causing the system to show an error as SOS inoperable. There is no software service patch to fix the issue of lost connectivity that is no longer supported by Mercedes. The dealer ship recommendation is to troubleshoot and repair that cost the customer to pay out of pocket even though this is not supported and no longer can be used as a system. Or to completely rip out the system
NHTSA ID
11575067
Incident
Jan 6, 2023
Filed Mar 2, 2024
While driving the vehicle a message is constantly required to acknowledge an SOS inoperable system which can be dangerous while driving. Mercedes ME Brace no longer supports the system due to being an obsolete system 3g network. The dealership requires the system to be disabled by deleting the software or removing the component to fix the issue of SOS being inoperable at a cost to the customer.
NHTSA ID
11575054
Incident
Mar 2, 2024
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 15, 2023
I was driving on the highway and when I stopped because there was traffic my car completely cut off. Screen and display went back and then it came back on and went into neutral and when I went to shift gears and try to change into drive it would not allow me to change gears. I had to turn the car off and turn it back on. THIS WAS ON THE HIGHWAY!!! This happened 2 times on my way home. I have a 2016 Mercedes my coworker has the same vehicle but the 2015 model. She has the SAME ISSUE. Her car is in the shop now and the mechanics are trying to see what the issue may be and I have an appointment at the end of the week. I have looked this issue up and there are TONS of people reporting this issue and I cant believe there is no recall! This is beyond dangerous and someone could die because of this. My coworker brought it to my attention and if we didn't drive the same vehicle I wouldn't have looked into this. However its NOT a coincidence that we both have Mercedes same make and model that cuts off and goes into neutral when driving.
NHTSA ID
11555303
Incident
Nov 7, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 13, 2023
Rear differential failed at 55,000 miles. Mercedes-Benz of Lafayette IN last had possession of the part. In a high-speed turn, this could result in loss of control of the vehicle. The differential was replaced at the owner's expense, and the failed part was left with the dealership. I am aware of numerous reports of premature rear differential failure in this model (after the fact). There was an occasional thunking noise during turns that the driver (my son) did not think anything of. The vehicle has been meticulously maintained. Within the week the vehicle was serviced and the rear differential needed to be replaced. No warning lights were present.
NHTSA ID
11549872
Incident
Oct 5, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 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 have to pay for this, and Mercedes should have a recall on this because it can cause a very serious accident. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11546542
Incident
Sep 23, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Sep 25, 2023
Smell of gas when turning on heater, fuel leaking on engine block
NHTSA ID
11546494
Incident
Sep 25, 2023
Visibility
Filed Sep 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the sunroof panel had detached, allowing wind and debris to enter the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure). The unknown dealer pushed the sunroof panel back into position; however, the failure recurred due to the wind. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
NHTSA ID
11545501
Incident
Aug 19, 2023
Mileage
47,000 mi
Filed Sep 2, 2023
My roof rails are worn and need replacement because my sunroof is no longer operating
NHTSA ID
11542316
Incident
Aug 31, 2023
AirbagsDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 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
NHTSA ID
11540872
Incident
Jul 8, 2023
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2023
My Mercedes-Benz, 2016GLA 250 vehicle. The automatic transmission shifts into neutral while driving. It’s happened on multiple occasions and it’s very scary. This is a dangerous safety issue! I’ve seen it’s been recalled/addressed for other GLA250 model years, but not for 2016 year models. Please bring to MB USA attention. Thank you very much for your assistance!
NHTSA ID
11535283
Incident
Jul 29, 2023
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 7, 2023
Unknown… airbag light came on and horn and all buttons on wheel stopped working. It says airbag malfunction
NHTSA ID
11525752
Incident
Jun 7, 2023
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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