2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Engine Problems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 and reapply the gas cap to see if engine light would go off and error messages would resolve. It did not. We did not drive the car that day. Dec 4 and Dec 5th- all above error warnings display all day. Dec 6th- We scheduled a service appt at Mercedes in Sarasota, FL for the 1st avail appt Dec 10th. We were told in writing the car could be driven until the appt and no additional issues should arise. Dec 7th- new error code appears… 5-REVERSING NOT POSSIBLE - SERVICE REQUIRED. This is when the car put our lives at risk. While driving, the car shifted itself into Nuetral. We were unable to get the car into gear as it continued to roll. Having no control of acceleration, we guided the car to the right to allow traffic to pass. We put the car in park, shut down the vehicle, wait 15 minutes, and restart. We were then able to drive forward, but WHILE MOVING, “REVERSING NOT POSSIBLE” reappeared, the car shifted itself into neutral again. We were unable to shift to DRIVE. We shut the car car down again, started it, shifted to drive, but it went into DRIVE 2 only. We drove in 2nd gear until we were safe off the road and home. We towed the car (12/7 evening) to Mercedes in Sarasota FL. Dec 8th: Service dept finds the two front wheel speed sensors failed and caused a chain reaction sequence of events. They referred to the problem as ‘minor’. This is a serious design flaw. We are lucky not to have been hurt or killed

NHTSA ID

11496752

Incident

Dec 8, 2022

P052E-71 The valve for crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. Was initially intermittent but seems to be getting worse. Dealer quoted ~2k to repair, which seems astronomical for a PCV valve. Common problem with these engines.

NHTSA ID

11481353

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

Lane departure system stopped working and the engine stalled on the highway. Problem reproduced by dealer who has the car now.

NHTSA ID

11441216

Incident

May 20, 2021

My car puts itself into neutral while driving and while stopped. This has happened 4 times now. The dealer claims they aren’t familiar with this issue. My safety and the safety of others driving around me are in danger. Today, I was changing lanes on the feeder road, and my car locked up into neutral and wouldn’t let me drive it. The error message says “Do not shift gears. Visit dealer”. This car has been in no accidents and hasn’t had any work done other than routine work.

NHTSA ID

11431458

Incident

Sep 2, 2021

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

NHTSA ID

11373880

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

43,313 mi

STRONG GASOLINE VAPOR IN ENGINE. WHILE CHECKING OIL OR REMOVING OIL FILLER CAP. I FEAR THIS COULD CAUSE EXPLOSION DURING SERVICE. THE MERCEDES DEALER SAYS THIS COMMON IN SOME 4 CYLINDERS ENGINES. THIS IS ONGOING.

NHTSA ID

11322338

Incident

Feb 21, 2020

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 HIGHWAY, A STATE TROOPER FORCED ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOW AND NOT WAIT FOR MY OWN AAA TOWING SERVICE WHICH I HAD ALREADY CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE CONSTANT AND REAL THREAT THAT THE CAR CAN SHUT-DOWN AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WHILE IN OPERATION CREATED AND IMPOSED A MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL BURDEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. IT WAS MENTALLY DRAINING AND EXHAUSTING TO THINK THAT AT ANY MOMENT WE CAN GET INTO A FATAL ACCIDENT. THE THOUGH ALONE, OF SUCH A POTENTIAL TRAGIC INCIDENT FORCED US TO MINIMIZE THE USE OF THE VEHICLE AND LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVE MEAN OF TRANSPORTATION. AS A RESULT, WE WERE FORCED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR WHILE THE MERCEDES HAS BEEN IDLE AND NOT USED FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TALK TO THE DEALERSHIP, MERCEDES-BENZ FINANCIAL SERVICES, MERCEDES-BENZ USA, MERCEDES-BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF MERCEDES-BENZ BUT NOBODY WAS WILLING TO LISTEN OR HELP ME.

NHTSA ID

11205903

Incident

Jan 10, 2019

Mileage

35,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10861236

Incident

Feb 8, 2016

Mileage

3,800 mi