2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Owner Complaints

I am reporting a severe drivability and engine failure issue with my vehicle. The vehicle has been exclusively maintained by authorized Mercedes-Benz service centers. Immediately following a scheduled 60,000-mile (Schedule B/C) maintenance, the Check Engine Light began cycling on and off. The vehicle simultaneously developed severe drivability symptoms: the engine ran extremely rough, and acceleration became erratic and "jumpy." This unpredictable power delivery and hesitation poses a significant safety hazard when accelerating or merging in traffic. I immediately returned the vehicle to the service center to report the issue. The dealership has now retained my vehicle for over 20 days and diagnosed that the cylinder head requires complete replacement. Despite this catastrophic failure occurring immediately after their maintenance procedures, the dealership is holding me financially responsible for the repair costs because the vehicle is past the 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. My vehicle remains immobilized at the dealership."

NHTSA ID

11750504

Incident

Jun 29, 2026

On 2 separate occasions (August 2025 & February 2026), the car has had a "transmission malfunction" light come on while driving on the highway around 65-70 mph. The light comes on and immediately loses ability to accelerate. Both times the car was towed to Greensboro Mercedes. The first time they did not do anything because they didn't know what to do and it had "reset" itself. The second time they discovered that it needed a software update. Mercedes does NOT have the update that is needed. We tried going through the lemon law process but Mercedes Corporate came back with an answer of it hasn't happened enough times and a remedy has not been attempted enough times. They have NOT attempted to fix it because they DO NOT have a fix. This IS NOT SAFE for my daughter to drive. This is her car and it has been in the shop since February 2026. We purchased the car from Bob King Mercedes in Wilmington, NC as a certified pre-owned in 2024. Both dealerships have been great to work with and stand by me that it is not safe for her to drive, while corporate has dismissed it and said it is safe to drive and threatened that we'll have to pay lot rental if we don't pick it up. The dealership assured me that they would not charge lot rental as they side with me on not driving it until fixed. I do not want my [XXX] daughter to drive a car that will randomly stop working on the highway! We bought the car so I'd have peace of mind about her safety and we have now been without the car for 4 months due to this safety issue. Please give me guidance on what to do. She paid around $45,000 for a car that she can't even drive now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11746252

Incident

Feb 15, 2026

unkown available for inspection cylinder misfiring ,stalling loss of power while driving, jerking during accelerations rough unstable idle intense vehicle vibrations yes took in for service A and D no other lights appeared beside service A and D

NHTSA ID

11718290

Incident

Dec 25, 2025

In reference to Safety Recall N252494000 L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion... vehicle passed the recall test. But 2500 miles after the test the engine failed. Per dealership, awaiting new engine.

NHTSA ID

11710522

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

[XXX] we were driving to San Francisco. Traffic was very light because of the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. We were about 1000 feet from the toll plaza, driving at 50-55 MPH. There was a car behind us about six car lengths back. There were no cars in front of us between us and the Toll Plaza. Nothing at all. There were no cars in lanes to our left nor right in our vicinity. Suddenly our car made a loud GROWLING noise and the car jammed on the brakes! My wife screamed but we did not come to a complete stop. A bright Red Triangle appeared in the center of the instrument panel. Then it stopped and we drove on because there was the car behind us approaching quickly. I believe he swerved and went around us but I cannot be sure what he did. I just know he did not hit us, thank God! Prior to going to the Dealer, I notified the Dealer and MBUSA Customer Service on a 12 minute call of the problem. MBUSA said they would notify the Dealer and get back to me to investigate. When I arrived at the dealer the NEW service person and I gave him my outline in writing of the event. I had emailed it to them the day before. He said that I would be charged $255.00 to diagnose MY problem even though my car is under Warranty and purchased from THIS Dealer. They had not been notified as MBUSA said they would do. I asked to speak to the Service Manager, Oscar who I have known for 20+ years, and he apologized for their error. I received an email from MBUSA about a week later asking me if I needed anything from them. MBUSA seems very unconcerned about this EXTREMELY DANGEROUS INCIDENT and that is why I decided to file this Report. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11703541

Incident

Nov 25, 2025

Incident on [XXX] 1450 GLA 250 approx 6 months old ? Est car was doing 40 mph impacted back of car my GLA 250 (other car was 1955 chevy - driver stated to police and on report he had a brake failure - no brakes ) as she was at the stop light it pushed her car about 4-5 feet almost hitting car in front of her which was also stopped at light - Police and ambulance was on site since it was 3 min from my house and car still on which dashboard was lighted with the airbag failures •The GLA 250 car was stopped at stop light and not moving when it was impacted from rear •The GLA 250 car airbags did not deploy it also showed error messages for right/left rear and front left airbag to call service (so car knew it had impact and failed to deploy airbags) •The Car SOS and my wife phone both engaged calling 911 so car knew it had a impact •Seat belt did not restrain here as it webbing only bunched up as she hit steering wheel •The car computer dash was still on when I arrived and police- it was flashing error on left front/right & left rear airbag failure to call service •I am shocked at the severity of impact that airbag did not deploy as wife definitely blacked out and she did hit her face on steering wheel on right hand side •I have pictures of airbag failures messages to call service, pictures of airbags not deployed and seatbelt - this car was bought for its mentioned safety record and sold to me which I only purchases this due to its reported safety record This is a complete failure of the vehicles safety devices of this car, risking my wife life - currently it is being help as of today at repair shop per DEVON cooperate has to investigate safety issue Cavallo Newton, 18S Newtown Street Rd, Newtown Square PA 19073 #610-353-330 •Devon Euro Motor of Devon PA stated i these cases he cannot take accident report - I have called HQ Mercedes and have case number [XXX] - I stated this is a total failure of all safety devices and wife could have been killed INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

NHTSA ID

11612953

Incident

Sep 5, 2024

The rear drivers side seat belt receiver would not allow the belt buckle to insert leaving the rear passenger without seatbelt protection. During the inspection process at the dealers the technician fount a small (1cm) item lodged in the receiver area. My concern is that an item of that size would be able to render the seatbelt assembly inoperable. Based on the many test criteria for these items I believe that the receiver should have been designed to prevent small items from becoming lodged into the receiver and preventing use of the seatbelt. The item required the dealership to completely remove the seat and the receiver assembly from the car to determine the failure mode.

NHTSA ID

11541607

Incident

Aug 23, 2023