2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other GLA 250 years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. That ranks 2nd out of 13 GLA 250 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (17 complaints, 35%), typically at around 9,400 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 49owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 17 | 35% | 9,400 | — | — |
| Engine | 15 | 31% | 39,157 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 8 | 16% | 57,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 10% | 9,900 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 10% | 53,157 | — | — |
| Power Train | 4 | 8% | 101,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 6% | 47,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 4% | 3,065 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 4% | 43,313 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 2% | 6,800 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 2% | 88,180 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Problem: 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 the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Problem: 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 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Communication
Problem: 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 visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: 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, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Front Roof Panel Detachment (PE21001) — opened Jan 8, 2021, closed Oct 14, 2021, led to recall 21V197000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
My 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 (VIN: [XXX]) has a check engine light for code P052E, which points to a broken crankcase ventilation valve. My car has only 59,000 miles on it, but this same exact part already broke once before and was replaced under the original warranty. Now, the replacement part…
Panoramic sunroof fails to open/ close evenly due to plastic track failure. One side binds while the other moves, causing glass to tilt and jam. Risk of glass shattering, sudden detachment, distraction while driving, and water intrusion affecting airbags/electronics.
My car totaled by another car and my air bags did not deploy.
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…
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…
Other Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 years
← 2015 GLA 250 · 2017 GLA 250 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 GLA 250 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 GLA 250 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 GLA 250 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 GLA 250 | 8 | 1 |
| 2022 GLA 250 | 4 | 2 |
| 2021 GLA 250 | 18 | 9 |
| 2020 GLA 250 | 10 | 5 |
| 2019 GLA 250 | 29 | 11 |
| 2018 GLA 250 | 49 | 12 |
| 2017 GLA 250 | 31 | 9 |
| 2016 | 49 | 4 |
| 2015 GLA 250 | 94 | 5 |
| 2014 GLA 250 | 1 | 0 |
See all Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes-Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?
Owners most often report unknown or other, engine, air bags problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 17 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other GLA 250 model years, the 2016 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.