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2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
16
Latest Jun 13, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 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

  • Engine522.7%
  • Driver assistance418.2%
  • Electrical418.2%
  • Fuel system313.6%
  • Tires & wheels29.1%
  • Brakes14.5%
  • Interior & seats14.5%
  • Powertrain (other)14.5%
  • Body & structure14.5%

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

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Cowl vent grille openings allowed normal environmental debris to accumulate, plug drainage and divert water onto electrical components and potentially result in a fire if not addressed. Some of the debris passes through into the hvac system and cannot be cleaned without dealer removal/repair of the hvac motor, which costs the customer more than $500 in repairs and disincentivizes mitigation. Furthermore, Mercedes is aware of the problem, has not issued a customer satisfaction recall, and instead, is charging customers more than $1,000 to install a plastic protective shield to prevent accumulation of debris, clogged water management, and risk of fire.

NHTSA ID 11743847 · filed Jun 13, 2026

When coming to a full stop at a red light (or any need to idle at a stop), the car frequently begins to hesitate as if it is about to cut off. I assume it has something to do with the ‘fuel saving feature’ which comes on in the form of a green symbol in the lower left of the odometer display (the engine is still running the AC) . When you start to drive again the car always jerks before moving , on at least 3 occasions it has actually cut off completely and must be restarted (everything goes off) - it is big problem, especially in heavy traffic (horns blaring & angry drivers are encountered) I almost had a car hit me from behind; my car had jerked slightly when I began to accelerate and then shut off completely. It is definitely a dangerous defect. The Dealership emphasizes 93 Octane gas or higher to help with this issue- but I Always use the highest Octane gas I can find ! It has happened VERY often - I dread stopping at red lights and stop signs, one day it will cause an accident.

NHTSA ID 11677929 · filed Aug 2, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

When coming to a full stop at a red light (or any need to idle at a stop), the car frequently begins to hesitate as if it is about to cut off. I assume it has something to do with the ‘fuel saving feature’ which comes on in the form of a green symbol in the lower left of the odometer display (the engine is still running the AC) . When you start to drive again the car always jerks before moving , on at least 3 occasions it has actually cut off completely and must be restarted (everything goes off) - it is big problem, especially in heavy traffic (horns blaring & angry drivers are encountered) I almost had a car hit me from behind; my car had jerked slightly when I began to accelerate and then shut off completely. It is definitely a dangerous defect. The Dealership emphasizes 93 Octane gas or higher to help with this issue- but I Always use the highest Octane gas I can find ! It has happened VERY often - I dread stopping at red lights and stop signs, one day it will cause an accident.

NHTSA ID 11677929 · filed Aug 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11491304 · filed Oct 28, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Cowl vent grille openings allowed normal environmental debris to accumulate, plug drainage and divert water onto electrical components and potentially result in a fire if not addressed. Some of the debris passes through into the hvac system and cannot be cleaned without dealer removal/repair of the hvac motor, which costs the customer more than $500 in repairs and disincentivizes mitigation. Furthermore, Mercedes is aware of the problem, has not issued a customer satisfaction recall, and instead, is charging customers more than $1,000 to install a plastic protective shield to prevent accumulation of debris, clogged water management, and risk of fire.

NHTSA ID 11743847 · filed Jun 13, 2026

The entire circuit board was short circuited immobilizing the car in the middle of the highway. It was determined that the condensation of the air conditioning was unable to drain due to the drainage tubing being clogged with insects, causing water to back up and short circuited the electrical system.

NHTSA ID 11546751 · filed Sep 27, 2023

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The Gas Door did not open in order to pump gasoline. There is no mechanical device for the driver, passenger, owner of the vehicle to manually open the gas door from the inside. There was no electronic warning within the Mercedes Benz to alert driver about malfunction of gas door not working. Driver took vehicle to local Firestone mechanic who said the "gas door actuator" needed to be replaced. Accordingly, vehicle with the remaining gasoline was taken to local Mercedes Dealer who after the vehicle being looked at, "confirmed gas door to not opening due to internal mechanical fault" and replaced with new gas door actuator at a cost of $820.28. Vehicle owner mentioned to service rep, that he lives from parents about 150 miles away and had the vehicle owner stopped at gas station in between, the vehicle owner would have been stranded without any access to a dealer to fix this critical safety issue. Vehicle owner then advised service rep this issue should have been elevated as critical safety recall issue and that a complaint would be filed with NHTSA. Any vehicle owner, their family if being transported in a deserted place hoping to go to the next gas station for pumping gas would have faced a severe danger to their self and their families. Vehicle owner has sent a detailed letter to Mercedes Benz corporate office in USA detailing the incident and a copy of the letter will be attached as an attachment if it is permitted in this complaint. Requesting a recall of this issue with an order for reimbursement of service charges paid by vehicle owners to fix this "malfunction of gas door". There are multiple complaints to this effect on various message boards regarding the occurrences of "gas door not opening". This also needs to be looked at.

NHTSA ID 11713295 · filed Jan 26, 2026

When coming to a full stop at a red light (or any need to idle at a stop), the car frequently begins to hesitate as if it is about to cut off. I assume it has something to do with the ‘fuel saving feature’ which comes on in the form of a green symbol in the lower left of the odometer display (the engine is still running the AC) . When you start to drive again the car always jerks before moving , on at least 3 occasions it has actually cut off completely and must be restarted (everything goes off) - it is big problem, especially in heavy traffic (horns blaring & angry drivers are encountered) I almost had a car hit me from behind; my car had jerked slightly when I began to accelerate and then shut off completely. It is definitely a dangerous defect. The Dealership emphasizes 93 Octane gas or higher to help with this issue- but I Always use the highest Octane gas I can find ! It has happened VERY often - I dread stopping at red lights and stop signs, one day it will cause an accident.

NHTSA ID 11677929 · filed Aug 2, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact called on behalf of his client who owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 equipped with Continual tires, Tire Line: Procontact GXSSR, Tire Size: 235/55r/18, and DOT 6y3lwxx43220. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH on a local road and attempting to get into the right lane, the driver crashed into a pole where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact suffered injuries to the face from the air bag deploying and hurt her leg. No medical attention was needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000.

NHTSA ID 11469173 · filed Jun 14, 2022

I have a zero point dmv clean record!! Tires are dysfunctional poorly made235/55 R18 The front tires are ready to blow out and look /feel very unsafe to drive no blow out yet - however last 6 months many people have noticed POOR TRACTION & asked if the car tires need air. No air WAS NEEDED!! Continental offered 40% off for replacement tires. This is unacceptable ! These are not industry safe and continental stated there’s no mileage warranty! Who gets all new tires at 26,500 miles. I’m a mom going to the grocery store and the mall! My brand new 2021 leased Car now has approx. 26,500 miles . Bought October 2020! Front tires are near bald. Back tires are nearly worn as well. Car was in & serviced at Mercedes’ where point inspections prove NO ALIGNMENT ISSUES 04/2022 and prior service dates tires were rotated 4 times and all service schedules were completed! Assumptions were made that I didn’t rotate tires as exscuse for POORLY MADE an outlet for UNSAFE TIRES. I live in a mild climate, Nor Cal and went to the snow one time. No car accidents, no beach salt climate. Also the Car is parked IN A covered garage area no excessive temps ON THE tires. No off roading. I have never seen a car tire wear like this. Colors been brown murky also continues alwaysneeds polish !!It’s not the Industry standard. It drives choppy also and reflects no air needed! For a Run flat expensive tire there’s no reason why it’s such a piece of junk. I’m middle aged and not a teenage driver this should of lasted ! Bought my car brand new nearly 50 grand Mercedes 2021! This is my 6th Mercedes’ and second leased Mercedes’ I’ve owned Escalade, 2 bmws, fiat, sabb, ml500 Mercedes’ , cla250 lease before this one that 2018 I got 40,000 miles only changed 2 tires due too moderate driving.

NHTSA ID 11467250 · filed Jun 3, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Car's brake system slammed on in light traffic with no nearby obstacles. Clear night, light traffic, road dry, moderate temperature. If there had been more traffic, or if the road had been slick, high probability of risk. Dealer has been notified, will not be able to pick up vehicle for a day or two. I did not see any warning lights, heard no warning sounds.

NHTSA ID 11432715 · filed Sep 13, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Twice now, my husband is putting groceries in the back of the vehicle and the top closes on him and this last time, hit him hard in the head. This is a safety issue, what can we do??

NHTSA ID 11632215 · filed Dec 23, 2024

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I was parked in a lot and turned the ignition on and selected "DRIVE" but when I started to pull away the vehicle went backwards instead of forwards (as though "REVERSE" had been selected). I switched back to PARK, then selected DRIVE again and the vehicle once again went backwards. I then turned the engine off altogether and restarted it and this seemed to clear up the problem as now the vehicle went forwards when in DRIVE. No damage, or injuries, but of course very concerning from a safety point of view which is why I am reporting this. Mercedes did check the vehicle out the next day and could not locate any problem.

NHTSA ID 11464869 · filed May 16, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Cowl vent grille openings allowed normal environmental debris to accumulate, plug drainage and divert water onto electrical components and potentially result in a fire if not addressed. Some of the debris passes through into the hvac system and cannot be cleaned without dealer removal/repair of the hvac motor, which costs the customer more than $500 in repairs and disincentivizes mitigation. Furthermore, Mercedes is aware of the problem, has not issued a customer satisfaction recall, and instead, is charging customers more than $1,000 to install a plastic protective shield to prevent accumulation of debris, clogged water management, and risk of fire.

NHTSA ID 11743847 · filed Jun 13, 2026

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

Data on this page last refreshed .