The Used Car Index

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems

NHTSA lists 18 complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, 1 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 2 complaints mention an injury, with 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-10.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250.

At a glance

Complaints
18
With crash
1
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
2
Injuries
2
Deaths
0
Recalls
9
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
1,292,258
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
233

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE527.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM422.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER422.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM316.7%
BACK OVER PREVENTION211.1%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES211.1%
POWER TRAIN211.1%
STRUCTURE211.1%
TIRES211.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15.6%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESHATCHBACK/LIFTGATE1
STRUCTUREBODY1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure527.8%0.95
loss of control422.2%0.82
unclear422.2%0.85
electrical electronic211.1%0.78
fire or overheating15.6%0.93
structural or corrosion15.6%0.72
visibility or lighting15.6%0.65
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate1161.1%0.82
low316.7%0.74
high211.1%0.99
none211.1%0.71

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 18 tagged complaints of 18 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

9 recalls.

26V481000

Date: 2026-07-24. Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.

Defect: 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 aut (excerpt)

Consequence: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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 NH (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V732000

Date: 2023-11-01. Systems: EQUIPMENT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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 re (excerpt)

Consequence: Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

22V365000

Date: 2022-05-20. Systems: COMMUNICATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: 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 connecti (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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 2 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

22V232000

Date: 2022-04-08. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.

Defect: 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 req (excerpt)

Consequence: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

22V125000

Date: 2022-03-04. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V354000

Date: 2021-05-14. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: 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 coul (excerpt)

Consequence: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V102000

Date: 2021-02-22. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V072000

Date: 2021-02-12. Systems: COMMUNICATION.

Defect: 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 GL (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V058000

Date: 2021-02-05. Systems: COMMUNICATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: 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 veh (excerpt)

Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

233 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM125
EQUIPMENT22
POWER TRAIN21
STEERING18
STRUCTURE17
ENGINE13
VISIBILITY/WIPER12
EXTERIOR LIGHTING10

11038188

Date: 2026-09-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING.

Complaint Slight creaking noises when steering. Cause Noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. Remedy Remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. If necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.

11038186

Date: 2026-09-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibra

11038174

Date: 2026-09-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old stationa s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the Head Unit application to fail to overwrite the

11037210

Date: 2026-08-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Complaint Temporary no start condition with check engine light and multiple warning messages. When performing a quick test, the following fault code is stored in Y3/14 a Transmission control for 8a speed duala clutch transmission (DKG): P24F100 The wakea up line of the control unit has a short

11037211

Date: 2026-08-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Complaint Intermittent shift feel or thud/clunk noise perceived, such as a brief jerk or transmission reaction during certain driving situations. May be most noticeable when transitioning from a coasting condition to accelerator pedal application. May occur in all drive modes. Cause Duala clutch tr

11036514

Date: 2026-08-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Complaint Customers may report one or more of the following: a ? Transmission malfunction message a ? Check engine light illuminated a ? Shifts into N a ? Concern disappears after ignition cycle When performing a quick test, the following fault code is stored in Y3/14 a Transmission control for 8a

11036511

Date: 2026-08-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE.

Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th generation, the vehicle key can be recoded so that the tailgate no longer opens as a res

11036343

Date: 2026-08-21. Type: Other. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, September 10th, 2026. After September 10th, returns of these parts will

11036999

Date: 2026-08-15. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is extending the warranty coverage for the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage Detection ("DMTL") on your vehicle from the

11036142

Date: 2026-08-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Complaint 1. General Diagnostic Tips 2. One or More PARK Sensor Activations 3. Red Ring Around Vehicle 4. "Active Parking and Parking Assist Inoperative" on Instrument Cluster 5. Cameras 6. Other Park Topics. Cause Various root causes Remedy See attached diagnostic guide.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
GLA 25018

Same model, other years

All model years | All Mercedes-Benz models

Other Mercedes-Benz models, 2021

Sources

Get this record as JSON

The free rate-limited demo needs no key.

curl "https://api.theusedcarindex.com/v1/demo/vehicle_risk?make=Mercedes-Benz&model=GLA+250&year=2021"

Paid endpoint: https://api.theusedcarindex.com/v1/vehicle_risk. MCP endpoint: https://api.theusedcarindex.com/mcp.