Total Complaints
2 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC · model year
2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC
2 NHTSA complaints, and 1 recall campaign listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2021MERCEDES-BENZGLA 250 4MATIC carries 2 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2021 GLA 250 4MATIC is engine with 1 filings, followed by service brakes (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 1 NHTSA recall campaign listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2021 GLA 250 4MATIC. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
2
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
Recalls (1)
26V48100024/07/2026
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to d
Recent Complaints
20260205ENGINE
Component/System: Engine cooling and lubrication system. Coolant was found mixing with engine oil (milky oil), indicating internal engine failure (I was informed it could be oil cooler/housing, thermostat, head gasket, or related components). Vehicle is currently at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership and available for inspection. The front left inner lining of my front break pad also "failed" inspection and the other 3 front break pads say "caution" and I never received a notification or warning about my breaks. Safety Risk: Coolant contamination of engine oil can cause sudden engine failure or loss of power without warning, creating a serious safety risk while driving, especially at highway speeds. There was no indication that engine oil was mixing with coolant, check engine light failed to illuminate/ no diagnostic warning illuminated. The condition was discovered incidentally during routine maintenance, which prevented any opportunity for corrective action prior to the failure.
20260205SERVICE BRAKES
Component/System: Engine cooling and lubrication system. Coolant was found mixing with engine oil (milky oil), indicating internal engine failure (I was informed it could be oil cooler/housing, thermostat, head gasket, or related components). Vehicle is currently at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership and available for inspection. The front left inner lining of my front break pad also "failed" inspection and the other 3 front break pads say "caution" and I never received a notification or warning about my breaks. Safety Risk: Coolant contamination of engine oil can cause sudden engine failure or loss of power without warning, creating a serious safety risk while driving, especially at highway speeds. There was no indication that engine oil was mixing with coolant, check engine light failed to illuminate/ no diagnostic warning illuminated. The condition was discovered incidentally during routine maintenance, which prevented any opportunity for corrective action prior to the failure.
Compare 2021MERCEDES-BENZGLA 250 4MATIC to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC have?▼
The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC has 2 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC?▼
Yes, the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC?▼
The most-complained component for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC is ENGINE with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC 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 vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.