MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 · model year

2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250

70 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016MERCEDES-BENZGLA 250 carries 70 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 GLA 250 is engine with 15 filings, followed by unknown or other (15) and air bags (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2016 GLA 250. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

70
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

70 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER15
AIR BAGS8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
POWER TRAIN4
SERVICE BRAKES2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
STEERING2
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION1
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1

Recalls (4)

21V19700019/03/2021

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 C

23V85400015/12/2023

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to t

17V62700006/10/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe

19V78700001/11/2019

COMMUNICATION

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models

Recent Complaints

20260130CrashAIR BAGS

My car totaled by another car and my air bags did not deploy.

20260114ENGINE

I am reporting a P052E fault code related to the crankcase ventilation system on my Mercedes-Benz GLA. This is a known and widespread defect on multiple Mercedes-Benz models and is commonly covered under service bulletins and extended warranties up to 150,000 miles. My vehicle has 92,000 miles. However, Mercedes-Benz has refused coverage, stating that the GLA model is not included, despite extensive evidence that this same defect affects GLA vehicles. Numerous documented owner reports and forum discussions confirm identical failures on GLA models. This appears to be a systemic defect rather than normal wear. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue and require Mercedes-Benz to extend coverage and assume responsibility for repairs on affected GLA vehicles.

20251016AIR BAGS

My airbag malfunction light appeared on the dashboard. Once the light appeared, the HORN STOPPED WORKING, a safety hazard that caused me not to be able to drive my vehicle for over a year due to the risk! I took the vehicle to the Mercedes-Benz dealership, 200 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304, and was told that the recall was closed and that they could not assist me. I was advised to contact NHTSA. PLEASE HELP AS I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE & BE SAFE ON THE ROAD! This is a huge safety hazard!!

20251016STEERING

My airbag malfunction light appeared on the dashboard. Once the light appeared, the HORN STOPPED WORKING, a safety hazard that caused me not to be able to drive my vehicle for over a year due to the risk! I took the vehicle to the Mercedes-Benz dealership, 200 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304, and was told that the recall was closed and that they could not assist me. I was advised to contact NHTSA. PLEASE HELP AS I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE & BE SAFE ON THE ROAD! This is a huge safety hazard!!

20250317ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My GLA250 Instrument Cluster had been glitching out. The turn signals indicators would go off when the turn signal lights are initiated. The Check engine light, high beam light, and other warning lights come on for no reason, or dim or no backlight, inaccurate gauge readings, erratic gauge needle movement, and even a completely dead cluster. I took the car to the dealership and they said the instrument cluster was faulty and needed to be replace. The car is still at the dealership because they haven't figured out how to program it right. Since the instrument cluster is a vital component of the vehicles safety feature, this should be a recall. I have spent $3500.00 to fix an issue that should not have occurred since the car is only 6 years old. There are several online forums that discuss this very same issue that Mercedes is having with their instrument clusters.

20250317EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My GLA250 Instrument Cluster had been glitching out. The turn signals indicators would go off when the turn signal lights are initiated. The Check engine light, high beam light, and other warning lights come on for no reason, or dim or no backlight, inaccurate gauge readings, erratic gauge needle movement, and even a completely dead cluster. I took the car to the dealership and they said the instrument cluster was faulty and needed to be replace. The car is still at the dealership because they haven't figured out how to program it right. Since the instrument cluster is a vital component of the vehicles safety feature, this should be a recall. I have spent $3500.00 to fix an issue that should not have occurred since the car is only 6 years old. There are several online forums that discuss this very same issue that Mercedes is having with their instrument clusters.

20241014UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CEL P052E POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION REGULATOR VALVE PERFORMANCE MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS PROBLEM

20240824SERVICE BRAKES

Transmission from drive well sometimes shift to neutral while it is at a stand still usually waiting for a light to turn green, after which it takes its time to shift back into drive. While this happened a warning light appeared malfunction take straight to dealer. Yesterday seems as if ABS kicked in while driving, threw me into the steering wheel than stopped shaking within 1-2 sec, and let me accelerate off. Was passing in an individual at the time. Don’t know what to make of it.

20240824POWER TRAIN

Transmission from drive well sometimes shift to neutral while it is at a stand still usually waiting for a light to turn green, after which it takes its time to shift back into drive. While this happened a warning light appeared malfunction take straight to dealer. Yesterday seems as if ABS kicked in while driving, threw me into the steering wheel than stopped shaking within 1-2 sec, and let me accelerate off. Was passing in an individual at the time. Don’t know what to make of it.

20240728ENGINE

Engine runs fine while driving and then cuts off while coming to a stop. This happened three (3) times last week since 7/23/24. Each time it happened I was stopping at a traffic light! After the failure a warning lamp flashed something about, Do Not Change Gears. Will make appointment to have it checked out as soon as possible.

20240624ENGINE

Fault code P052E71 crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. This seems to be a common issue with 4 cylinder turbo engines. Dealer charged $2500 to replace, and even after replacements system fails again within 1-2 years.

20240614ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the crankcase ventilation system had failed. The dealer determined that the engine oil separator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown Extended Warranty Coverage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,180.

Mileage: 88,180

20240503FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes Benz GLA. The contact stated that the check engine light had appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer determined that the crankcase ventilation valve had malfunctioned which blocked the actuator. As a result, both the fuel and the oil had started to mix inside the engine which caused the ventilation valve to not close as intended. The contact was given an estimate for repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

20240503ENGINE

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes Benz GLA. The contact stated that the check engine light had appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer determined that the crankcase ventilation valve had malfunctioned which blocked the actuator. As a result, both the fuel and the oil had started to mix inside the engine which caused the ventilation valve to not close as intended. The contact was given an estimate for repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

20240405ENGINE

Following regular maintenance of my 2016 GLA 250 with my mechanic for the car repeatedly stalling, the mechanic discovered there is a fuel leak causing the fuel injectors and fuel rall to not get proper fuel injection. The mechanic found a manufacturer’s recall for the make, model, and year of my car. My car’s VIN# says this particular car is not affected. However, the exact issue is presenting in my car, which can cause significant engine damage. It’s believed my car, with the same make, model& year, is indeed impacted by this issue. My VIN should be considered to be included to have this recall.

20240405FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Following regular maintenance of my 2016 GLA 250 with my mechanic for the car repeatedly stalling, the mechanic discovered there is a fuel leak causing the fuel injectors and fuel rall to not get proper fuel injection. The mechanic found a manufacturer’s recall for the make, model, and year of my car. My car’s VIN# says this particular car is not affected. However, the exact issue is presenting in my car, which can cause significant engine damage. It’s believed my car, with the same make, model& year, is indeed impacted by this issue. My VIN should be considered to be included to have this recall.

20240315VISIBILITY:FIXED PANARAMIC ROOF/SKY LIGHT ASSEMBLY

See attached document for complaint

20240305VISIBILITY

See attached document for complaint

20240305VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

See attached document for complaint

20240302UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving the vehicle a message is constantly required to acknowledge an SOS inoperable system which can be dangerous while driving. Mercedes ME Brace no longer supports the system due to being an obsolete system 3g network. The dealership requires the system to be disabled by deleting the software or removing the component to fix the issue of SOS being inoperable at a cost to the customer.

Compare 2016MERCEDES-BENZGLA 250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 have?
The 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 has 70 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250?
Yes, the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250?
The most-complained component for the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 is ENGINE with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.