2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other GLA 250 years
- Far more complaints than other years 6th of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 9 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. That ranks 6th out of 13 GLA 250 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (5 complaints, 28%). Complaints mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 18owner complaints
- 9safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 28% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 4 | 22% | 2,200 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 22% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 17% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 11% | 2,200 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 11% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 11% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 11% | 11,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 recalls (9)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock
Problem: 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 detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads; equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A220, 2020 CLA250, GLB250, AMG A35, AMG CLA45, AMG CLA35, and 2021 GLA250 vehicles. The vehicles may not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads. In addition, information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install an inspection gauge and provide supplemental owner's manual information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical system:software; communication: auto crash notification
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
Back over prevention:display function
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 AMG CLA 35 and 2021 GLA 250 vehicles. The rear brake caliper housing fasteners may be loose, which can reduce brake performance or cause rear brake components to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners on the rear brake caliper housings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera; electrical system:software
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain GLA250 vehicles. The ground connection for the front passenger air bag may not be mounted properly, which could result in an inadvertent deployment.
Risk: 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.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ground connection for the passenger air bag and correct it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020037.
Communication: auto crash notification
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
Communication: auto crash notification; electrical system:software
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V481000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted by the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer…
See attached document for complaint
Cowl vent grille openings allowed normal environmental debris to accumulate, plug drainage and divert water onto electrical components and potentially result in a fire if not addressed. Some of the debris passes through into the hvac system and cannot be cleaned without dealer removal/repair of the…
The Gas Door did not open in order to pump gasoline. There is no mechanical device for the driver, passenger, owner of the vehicle to manually open the gas door from the inside. There was no electronic warning within the Mercedes Benz to alert driver about malfunction of gas door not working…
When coming to a full stop at a red light (or any need to idle at a stop), the car frequently begins to hesitate as if it is about to cut off. I assume it has something to do with the âfuel saving featureâ which comes on in the form of a green symbol in the lower left of the odometer display…
Other Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 years
← 2020 GLA 250 · 2022 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 | 18 | 9 |
| 2020 GLA 250 | 10 | 5 |
| 2019 GLA 250 | 29 | 11 |
| 2018 GLA 250 | 49 | 12 |
| 2017 GLA 250 | 31 | 9 |
| 2016 GLA 250 | 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
Embed this 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?
Owners most often report engine, electrical system, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 5 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?
Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 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 2021 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.