2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical218.2%
- Engine218.2%
- Fuel system218.2%
- Powertrain (other)218.2%
- Steering218.2%
- Other / unspecified19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. POWER STEERING: STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT ON A FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING MASSIVE COLLISION (this has happened twice) 2. Car Jerkiness: reported this to MBZ of San Rafael for 2 years (went into shop 10+ times for same issue and not resolved. It lunges forward while driving. This also is a safety issue almost causing me to hit a pedestrian 3. Vehicle Not opening 4. Vehicle Overheating 5. Faulty Wiring 6. Screen Black out
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START FROM THE CELL PHONE. THE CONTACT TRIED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AND MADE A STOP IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED ALL KINDS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THE SOS SYSTEM ALERTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MERCEDES-BENZ OF ATLANTIC CITY DEALER, LOCATED AT 6623 BLACK HORSE PIKE, EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ 08234, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN CONTACTED MERCEDES IN GERMANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO A LOOSE WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A BUY-BACK ON THE CONDITION THE CONTACT WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE OFFER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud rumbling sound heard. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB No: 2022030003. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
1. POWER STEERING: STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT ON A FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING MASSIVE COLLISION (this has happened twice) 2. Car Jerkiness: reported this to MBZ of San Rafael for 2 years (went into shop 10+ times for same issue and not resolved. It lunges forward while driving. This also is a safety issue almost causing me to hit a pedestrian 3. Vehicle Not opening 4. Vehicle Overheating 5. Faulty Wiring 6. Screen Black out
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Problem has been confirmed by dealer that the rear differential assembly needs to be replaced. This is a very common defect with gla250’s. It been recalled in the past and Mercedes Benz is putting many drivers at risk. The estimated to replace is $6100! Mercedes Benz corporation refuses to replace the part only offering $1300. That is submission that they are aware something is wrong. I don’t feel safe driving a 2020 car. There have been many class action suits but there needs to be another investigation and recall which MB knows there is a problem and hazard
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud rumbling sound heard. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB No: 2022030003. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Mercedes Benz GLA250 has a faulty rear differential and began shuddering and driving poorly when it had 44K miles on it. This is a very premature failure as diagnosed by two repair shops and is happening to thousands of this model Mercedes Benz. The damage can be catastrophic if continued to be driven as the differential metal continues to deteriorate and possibly have metal shavings travel into the engine. I was told initially by Mercedes Benz it was bad tires! I replaced the tires and the shuddering became worse. I searched for the problem myself on the internet as the problem continued to worsen and countless people are complaining, saying it’s the rear differential. The cost is between $4K and $5K to replace.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START FROM THE CELL PHONE. THE CONTACT TRIED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AND MADE A STOP IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED ALL KINDS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THE SOS SYSTEM ALERTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MERCEDES-BENZ OF ATLANTIC CITY DEALER, LOCATED AT 6623 BLACK HORSE PIKE, EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ 08234, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN CONTACTED MERCEDES IN GERMANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO A LOOSE WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A BUY-BACK ON THE CONDITION THE CONTACT WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE OFFER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Mercedes Benz GLA250 has a faulty rear differential and began shuddering and driving poorly when it had 44K miles on it. This is a very premature failure as diagnosed by two repair shops and is happening to thousands of this model Mercedes Benz. The damage can be catastrophic if continued to be driven as the differential metal continues to deteriorate and possibly have metal shavings travel into the engine. I was told initially by Mercedes Benz it was bad tires! I replaced the tires and the shuddering became worse. I searched for the problem myself on the internet as the problem continued to worsen and countless people are complaining, saying it’s the rear differential. The cost is between $4K and $5K to replace.
1. POWER STEERING: STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT ON A FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING MASSIVE COLLISION (this has happened twice) 2. Car Jerkiness: reported this to MBZ of San Rafael for 2 years (went into shop 10+ times for same issue and not resolved. It lunges forward while driving. This also is a safety issue almost causing me to hit a pedestrian 3. Vehicle Not opening 4. Vehicle Overheating 5. Faulty Wiring 6. Screen Black out
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Mercedes Benz GLA250 has a faulty rear differential and began shuddering and driving poorly when it had 44K miles on it. This is a very premature failure as diagnosed by two repair shops and is happening to thousands of this model Mercedes Benz. The damage can be catastrophic if continued to be driven as the differential metal continues to deteriorate and possibly have metal shavings travel into the engine. I was told initially by Mercedes Benz it was bad tires! I replaced the tires and the shuddering became worse. I searched for the problem myself on the internet as the problem continued to worsen and countless people are complaining, saying it’s the rear differential. The cost is between $4K and $5K to replace.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .