RoadVitals

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
2
Latest Sep 8, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 6, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 61 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Fuel system125.0%
  • Interior & seats125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Mar 6, 2026
10 units potentially affected
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2026 GLA 250 vehicles. The bowden cable may have been incorrectly installed, which can prevent the door from opening from inside the vehicle.
The risk: A door that cannot be opened may trap occupants inside the vehicle, which can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the bowden cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 13, 2026.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Interior & seats
Filed Sep 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and groceries were being placed inside the trunk, the hatch unexpectedly closed. The hatch struck the contact on the head and failed to raise up. The contact moved out of the way before the hatch completely closed. The contact was traumatized by the failure and was taking aspirin for the pain. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,600.

NHTSA ID
11762883
Incident
Sep 1, 2026
Mileage
1,600 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 8, 2026

I am writing to formally submit an urgent safety escalation and Lemon Law notice regarding my 2026 GLA 250, purchased brand new on February 26, 2026, as a replacement vehicle following the severe operational disruptions associated with the EQB 300 recall. As a parent of a family member with a disability, reliable and secure transportation is an absolute necessity. I selected the Mercedes-Benz brand based on its reputation for engineering integrity and safety. Regrettably, the vehicle delivered has proven to be mechanically hazardous and operationally compromised. Since taking delivery, the vehicle has experienced the following recurring, catastrophic failures: • Multiple recurrent check engine warnings. • Three separate instances of complete failure to shift while actively operating in traffic. • Four complete starting failures accompanied by a permanent black screen. • Two total blackouts of the entire instrument cluster, odometers, and operational systems while in motion, with the most recent occurrence taking place on September 4, 2026.

NHTSA ID
11762814
Incident
Sep 4, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

LI46.10-P-080896

STEERING

Complaint Slight creaking noises when steering. Cause Noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. Remedy Remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. If necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.

LI42.10-P-078779

SERVICE BRAKES

Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as a whole needs to be checked for other possible contributors. 1. Prior collision damage. 2. Excessive vehicle sitting times without rotating components. 3. Wheel bearing/hub lateral runout. 4. Wheel mating interface has been overtightened (did not follow WIS torque procedures). 5. Mating interfaces have been excessively modified (painted, gouged, bent, etc...). Remedy Read through the entire attached worksheet prior to performing. After performing, please review the final page and perform work accordingly. NOTE: This document is not pre‑authorization or otherwise dealing with warranty. This is intended for diagnostic purposes only. If there are any questions on how to proceed OR The work sheet has been performed and the vehicle has returned with the same concern. Please perform the measurements as seen in the worksheet again and open a TIPS case to the Body, Chassis, and Entertainment team.

LI82.60-P-080383

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the Head Unit application to fail to overwrite the previous request. This glitch is causing the cover art mismatch in the Radio application. Remedy Please do not replace any parts. Please update the Head unit software to E505.9

LI82.62-P-078631

STRUCTURE:BODY

Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary, create a TIPS case with an informative video as an attachment. Note: Please refer to this document in the warranty claim and, once diagnosis is completed, select the damage code depending on the component part that is causing the issue. • If the noise stops when the door trim is removed, please proceed in accordance with LI72.10‑P‑067691. Information: In this case, do not use a damage code for the speakers in the warranty claim!

LI27.19-P-080869

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint Temporary no start condition with check engine light and multiple warning messages. When performing a quick test, the following fault code is stored in Y3/14 ‑ Transmission control for 8‑speed dual‑clutch transmission (DKG): P24F100 The wake‑up line of the control unit has a short circuit to positive. Cause Possible signal timing between EZS control unit and Transmission Control Unit (DKG) Remedy As of 7/15/2026, new SCN coding is available for the EZS control unit. IPR will advise to open a TIPS case for EZS (N73), this is due to GLA models requiring support for SCN coding procedure. GLB (X247) and CLA (118) No TIPS case necessary. 1. SCN coding of EZS Control Unit 2. Clear all faults and perform extended road test with multiple drive cycles GLA (H247) Special function password required. 1. Verify if special procedure Central Locking ‑ Development Data is present in EZS (figure 1) 2. Submit a TIPS case to the Powertrain Inbox with the following information: ‑ Initial Quick Test w/ freeze frame data ‑ IPR Result ‑ DKG Control Unit Log ‑ EZS Control Unit Log ‑ Initial EEPROM data ‑ EZS special procedure menu If the vehicle has had this LI performed and P24F100 has returned, please submit a TIPS case to the Powertrain Inbox.

LI54.71-P-080349

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY/WIPER

Complaint Frequent rear view camera flap actuations and/or noise associated. NOTE: Rear view camera functions are NOT affected and still perform in accordance with regulatory requirements. Cause Calibration of the reversing camera is in progress. This is not a malfunction, but an intended system behavior. Remedy An optimization has been implemented to reduce the quantity of rearview camera flap actuations for calibration. Open an XSS case requesting addition of the option code "0O1" (Zero, "O", "1"). Once the option code has been added, perform the below based on which option codes the vehicle has. FOR VEHICLES WITH 235 ONLY: 1) Update and SCN code N62/* (PARK Control Unit) 2) Perform verification that optimization is as‑expected as seen below. FOR VEHICLES WITH 235 + 501: 1) Update and SCN code A26/17 (Head Unit) 2) Update and SCN code N62/* (PARK Control Unit) 3) Perform verification that optimization is as‑expected as seen below. IMPORTANT NOTE for vehicles with 235 + 501 ONLY: *For vehicles with 235 only, the "Movable 3D View" is not available due to not having 360 camera feature. Therefore the view was never present.* After both control units have been SCN coded, the "Movable 3D View" feature in the head unit will no longer be available. With this change there will be two distinct differences: 1) The "3D" icon when in the top down vehicle view, will no longer be present on the head unit. 2) The digital rendering of the vehicle with the ability to spatially move around the vehicle is no longer possible. This view is replaced with 2D static images of the left and right sides. View PRIOR to SCN Coding: View AFTER SCN Coding: Prior to releasing the vehicle, please verify the following: • Rear camera flap when calibrating after a key cycle bus sleep will stay open to 29 MPH and then close. Will re‑open, when calibrating, at 9 MPH. • The head unit screens mentioned above appear the same as "View AFTER SCN Coding" as shown in the attachment.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing210—
2025310—
2024220—
2023810—
2022420—
2021189060.0
2020115163.1
20192911164.6
20185112264.4
2017319259.8
2016514258.5
2015945259.2
2014100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.