Mercedes-Benz GLA250 years to avoid (and the best years)
175 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 recalls across 6 model years, 2015 to 2021. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 175complaints
- 14recalls
- 9reported crashes
- 3reported fires
- 13reported injuries
Which Mercedes-Benz GLA250 years should you avoid?
No Mercedes-Benz GLA250 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes-Benz GLA250 year has 22 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2015 (73).
What are the best Mercedes-Benz GLA250 years?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA250 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (11), 2019 (15) and 2018 (21). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 | 0.5× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 15 | 0.7× | 5 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 21 | 1.0× | 6 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 22 | 1.0× | 3 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 33 | 1.5× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 73 | 3.4× | 1 | 4 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 11 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain3 (27%)
- Steering, suspension & tires3 (27%)
- Electrical & infotainment2 (18%)
- Other systems2 (18%)
- Brakes1 (9%)
Recalls (14)
Brakes · 23V732000 · Nov 2023 · model year 2021
Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 22V125000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2021
Reduced brake performance can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, detached brake components can create a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash for other drivers.
Steering · 21V229000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2017, 2018
A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V102000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2021
Inadvertent air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury for an occupant in the front passenger seat, and increase the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Transmission · 21V033000 · Jan 2021 · model year 2019
If the transmission shifts into neutral while driving, there would be loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 20V672000 · Oct 2020 · model year 2019
A loss of engine operation, power steering assist, ESP system, or Active Brake Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 19V585000 · Aug 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
The seatbelt for a passenger seated in the rear middle seating position might not be properly secured, which could increase the risk of an injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 19V132000 · Feb 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
If the upper anchorage point is covered, the child seat will not be able to be secured as intended in the center position of the rear seat, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Body & glass · 18V912000 · Dec 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
Water leaking into the vehicle from around the sunroof may affect the electrical contacts of the window air bag, potentially causing the window air bag to not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 18V405000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2018
If the top tether anchorage point is missing, a child seat will not be able to be properly installed in the center rear seat position, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 17V653000 · Oct 2017 · model year 2018
Reduced headlight range can affect visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V114000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2017
If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 17V080000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2017
If the pelvis airbag or the front passenger airbag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Engine · 15V662000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2015
Engine damage may result in a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.