2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Electrical Problems

The vehicle experienced a sudden, total communication network crash on [XXX] the vehicle simultaneously triggered cascading critical safety system faults including “ inoperable” messages for the SOS system, Supplemental Restraint System ( SRS) and antilock brake system(ABS) along with check engine light on dashboard. The car locked itself in park and completely refuses to engage any drive gears. I took it to the dealer in Henderson, NV and they reported to me on Dec 24, 2025 that it will be a $1200 diagnostic and the repairs can be thousands of dollars. Since then I have taken it to 5 European and independent shops and have spent thousands of dollars for guess work. This happens sporadically I have been broken down where tow trucks have to retrieve my car and take to a shop where they have no clue of the issue. I am scared to drive it if it stalls on the streets and have a major accident. No problem has been resolved INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11741006

Incident

Dec 20, 2025

My vehicle has been taken to the Mercedes dealership multiple times from 2/24/25 -12/14/25 (10 Mths) for the following issues and still no resolution to the problem. Each time they say they've fixed the issues we get the car home and end up bringing it back a couple days later for the exact same issue. The issues being the Instrument Cluster/Panel failure (check engine light, multiple warning lights on display while driving, dash display is blacking out and unresponsive). The speedometer, fuel amount and mileage is also blacked out and unresponsive. The headlights, and tail lights also go off and are unresponsive while driving. We've also experienced the vehicle not going in reverse or drive and had to return it multiple times for this as well. These incidents are very serious safety hazards to the driver of the vehicle, other drivers and pedestrians. On several occasions we've addressed these problems with the dealership and still no resolve. However, we are paying very expensive labor fees only to return it with the same problems repeatedly and no explanation as to why the problem keeps recurring. We have receipts, photos and videos of this problem because the dealership kept stating they weren't seeing the issues we were seeing. However, after we presented the evidence and confirmation we have, they stated that they would conduct a diagnostic test and take a look, but the issues still have not been resolved after several times picking it up after they stated that they had changed the instrumental cluster. The last time after we returned it they discovered they had put the wrong part in the vehicle, however the same issues occurred with that part as well which is the reason we returned it to be looked at again. They changed it and still the same issue has repeated again. This is concerning and alarming that we were trusting them to work on the vehicle and driving the vehicle home thinking it is fixed and then discovering that they had put a wrong part in the car.

NHTSA ID

11705978

Incident

Feb 24, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, various warning lights, including the check engine, TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), oil, and other warning lights, were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test; however, no faults were found with the vehicle. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to completely close; because of the failure, water was leaking inside the vehicle during inclement weather. In addition, the air bag warning light had also become illuminated. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was promised a call back. The failure mileage was 45,695.

NHTSA ID

11694586

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

45,695 mi

My vehicle electrical panel is messed up can not read the driver panel the sunroof electrical also is not working the driver seat chair electrical stopped working and ever since the sunroof n chair started giving me issues my front panels started to go haywire went to dealer ship cost n repair are over 4K for the panel sunroof 4-8k chair another 1-3k I regularly maintain my vehicle and should not be having these issues with the gentle care I give my car I can no longer drive it as it has major issues electrical and no one will buy it from me.

NHTSA ID

11684208

Incident

Aug 25, 2025

Subject: Urgent: Electrical Issues Causing Frequent Dashboard crashes I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a recurring problem with my vehicle's electrical system, specifically the dashboard. Over the past few days, I have been experiencing frequent crashes where the dashboard turns off and on intermittently, rendering various functions inoperable. This issue has become increasingly problematic as it affects the proper functioning of essential components such as the speedometer, fuel gauge, temperature display, and other vital indicators. As a result, it has become difficult to monitor the vehicle's performance and ensure a safe driving experience. I have made several attempts to troubleshoot the issue, including checking the fuses, battery connections, and wiring harnesses, but to no avail. It appears that there is an underlying electrical fault that requires professional attention. Considering the importance of a fully functional dashboard system for the safe operation of the vehicle, I kindly request your assistance in addressing this matter urgently. I would greatly appreciate it if you could schedule a diagnostic appointment at your earliest convenience to identify and rectify the root cause of this issue. If it helps, I can provide additional information such as the make, model, and year of my vehicle, as well as any other details that may assist your team in diagnosing the problem more efficiently. Please let me know the best way to proceed and the soonest availability for an appointment. I understand that your schedule may be busy, but I hope we can find a suitable time for me to bring in my vehicle and have the issue resolved promptly. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon and finding a solution to this electrical issue. Warm regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11544654

Incident

Sep 4, 2023

I was getting a warning sign on my screen in car. Is said safety problem. I tried to tell Mercedes’ but they did not want to see the car . They told me to go to the mechanic who did a small job fixing the car due from a small collision. I did take it back and mechanic said he didn’t touch that. When I was going through all of this I told Mercedes’ financial to hold on my account . I did not want to pay for an unsafe car. The financial dept. agreed and I asked them to note it that I called about this issue. Because of not paying they repossessed the car and I could t do anything about this but pay. The car was leased and I did not want to pay for a car that was unsafe. Now I have a credit to pay off 13000 and I don’t want this . I tried to contact the company and got redirected to places that didn’t rely of do anything . I wanted a replacement . If I have to pay I wanted them to give me a car because I don’t have one since. The account disappeared and there was no notes on what happened all I have was the pictures of car and the write up from the mechanics inspection . He saw There was something wrong . I sent in letters and the punctures but got nothing back. I emailed the sakes guy to tell him, this was revolt and no reply . I was right and the car got recalled shortly after this . It’s not fault of my own it is the car company to support their customers . As a consumer my rights were ignored and I am demanding some kind of compensation for this. I asked for a replacement and no reply the vin number is [XXX] glc gla?? 300 black I lost the car in 2019 and have not had a car since .a repossession in my credit report does not help me My address info [XXX] I could not even get a copy of my contract due to a wipe out of my account . Please let me know what I can do after this complaint . All of this is wrong and should not beesoecialky Mercedes’ ! They present themselves as a “family and caring but I isn’t INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11506704

Incident

Aug 27, 2019

My backup camera doesn’t work at least half the time. The screen is completely black when I start the car, and the radio doesn’t even come on until I’ve been driving for about 15 minutes. The car does not charge either of my phones even with the cord provided by Mercedes that links to the screen. I depend on that for navigation, and the screen remains black. Since the phone won’t charge either, it runs out of charge quickly when trying to use it by itself for navigation.

NHTSA ID

11489970

Incident

Oct 2, 2022

The Battery keeps draining, appears to be a design defect. Vehicle model Mercedes GLA250 - 2018 Battery light came ON and car needed a jump start, take it to the dealer. Per dealer vehicle failed to crank and failed load test. Battery was removed and replaced on 20 July 2021. Miles 20,153. Invoice #417618 Again on 17 - 18th May 2022 (odometer reading 23,961) car failed to crank. Called road side assistance (Call # 2-28496306974) . Battery was replaced "under warranty" Ordered Battery Tender (trickle charger) from Amazon, and on 25 May 2022 take it to the nearby mechanic to install Pre-wired to battery to enable Battery charger connection. Keep on using Battery charger to save from Draining the battery all the way. Have been doing this almost once every month.

NHTSA ID

11487923

Incident

Jul 20, 2022

AT 1:10 AM THE 2018 MERCEDES BENZ GLA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN USED IN OVER 6 HOURS. THE CAR HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS LAST SERVICED BY MB OF COCONUT CREEK ONE MONTH EARLIER FOR THE ROUTINE 10K SERVICE. THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE CAR WAS ONCE THE AIR-CONDITIONING FAILED TO WORK. I BELIEVE THE MB DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A FAULTY RELAY. THE CAR WAS ONLY SERVICED BY MB AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. THE ENSUING FIRE CONSUMED MY GARAGE AND DESTROYED MY HOUSE. EVENTUALLY THE FIRE HIT OUR FUSE BOX CUTTING THE POWER TO THE HOME. THE LOSS OF ELECTRICITY WOKE ME UP. I HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AND INVESTIGATED. I SAW MY HOUSE ON FIRE AND WOKE EVERYONE UP AND WE ESCAPED UNHARMED. REPRESENTATIVES FROM MERCEDES AND MY HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE WILL BE CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION OF DECEMBER 5TH AT 9:00 AM AT MY HOME AT 21311 FALLS RIDGE WAY, BOCA RATON FL 33428

NHTSA ID

11152194

Incident

Nov 5, 2018

Mileage

11,100 mi