NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 12 recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250.
For the 2018 GLA 250, engine and powertrain complaints make up the bulk of what owners report. On the engine side, a recurring issue involves the crankcase ventilation system triggering fault codes, owners describe repeated warning lights and costly repairs they feel weren't resolved after multiple dealer visits. Powertrain complaints center on the transmission control module, with owners reporting unexpected stalling while driving and the transmission refusing to shift, conditions that several owners say were confirmed by Mercedes dealerships as internal defects. A smaller cluster of complaints involves the wheels. A handful of owners also report intermittent warning lights, check engine, tire pressure, oil, appearing across various driving speeds with no fault found during dealer diagnostics. One isolated report describes a closed moonroof shattering spontaneously while driving at highway speeds.
44
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has 12 recalls, the most serious being an airbag that can deploy without warning, raising the risk of injury and causing the driver to lose control.
Several recalls involve the roof structure: the front panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, and on vehicles where a prior repair was attempted, that bonded panel may still detach if the repair was not performed correctly. On the steering side, a universal joint bearing in the steering shaft can work loose over time and separate, causing a loss of steering control. There are two related child seat concerns: a missing or covered top tether anchor point in the center rear seat position can prevent a child seat from being secured properly. Water leaking in around the sunroof can reach the side window airbag's electrical contacts and prevent it from deploying in a crash, and the left anchor plate for the rear center seatbelt may be loose, leaving that passenger's belt improperly secured. Three recalls cover the emergency call system, which can either fail to connect to emergency services or send responders to the wrong location after a crash. The low-beam headlights on 4Matic models may also fall short of the required aim specification, reducing how far ahead the road is lit at night.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The front roof panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof may have been improperly bonded during a prior repair, causing the panel to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front roof panel at no charge to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the communication module's SIM card can prevent mobile network connection, which disables the emergency call (eCall) system.
What the fix does
The communication module software will be updated at no cost through an over-the-air update or by a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering shaft bore hole may be oversized, allowing the universal joint bearing to move excessively and potentially separate over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering shaft and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front roof panel between the windshield and panoramic sunroof may not be properly bonded to the vehicle from a previous repair, risking separation.
What the fix does
The dealer will remove and replace the front roof panel using proper bonding materials and procedures at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module may have been turned off during service, disabling the Emergency Call function that connects your vehicle to emergency services.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the communication module and reactivate it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your vehicle's correct location to emergency services when the eCall system activates during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communication module software, or the update will be sent over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left anchor plate of the rear middle seatbelt may be loose, affecting its attachment to the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the left anchor plate of the rear middle seatbelt and correct its installation as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An incorrect carpet covering was installed on the split rear seat back, which can block access to the child seat top tether anchor point in the center rear position.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear seat back carpet and replace it if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The adhesive bonding the panorama sliding sunroof may fail, allowing water to leak into the vehicle interior.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the sunroof bonding and window air bag electrical contacts, replacing components as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The child seat top tether anchor point may be missing from the center position of the rear seat, preventing proper installation of child car seats.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear seat backrest at no cost to restore the tether anchor point.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low beam headlights may be out of adjustment, reducing how far the light projects ahead and making it harder to see the road.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and adjust the headlights to the correct specification at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's airbag may deploy unexpectedly if the steering components lack proper grounding and the airbag clockspring is broken, allowing electrostatic discharge to trigger deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add grounding to the steering components to prevent electrostatic discharge from triggering the airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.