Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 reliable?

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has 71 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?

Top problems: ENGINE (16 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (16 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, COMMUNICATION, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 is approximately $2,079/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 41. The most common issue is engine problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz gla250. while driving approximately 30-54 mph, the vehicle would vibrate and made a rumbling noise under the hood. once the vehicle reached 1,400 rpms/55 mph, the failure seized. the contact stated that the vibration could be felt through the steering wheel . There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

16 complaints

23%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-54 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MADE A RUMBLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED 1,400 RPMS/55 MPH, THE FAILURE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL
• ON AUGUST 4TH, 2018, SEPTEMBER 21ST ,2018 AND JANUARY 10TH, 2019, MY 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 SHUTDOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SPECIFICALLY, IN ALL 3 OCCASIONS MENTIONED ABOVE, MY VEHICLE SHUT-DOWNED AND BECAME DISABLED AND NON-OPERATIONAL, ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS WHILE DRIVING.
• STRONG GASOLINE VAPOR IN ENGINE. WHILE CHECKING OIL OR REMOVING OIL FILLER CAP. I FEAR THIS COULD CAUSE EXPLOSION DURING SERVICE. THE MERCEDES DEALER SAYS THIS COMMON IN SOME 4 CYLINDERS ENGINES. THIS IS ONGOING.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-54 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MADE A RUMBLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED 1,400 RPMS/55 MPH, THE FAILURE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

Based on 18 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 39K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 43K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS15/12/2023

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,412/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,079

Full coverage / month

$173

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+24%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$2079

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 155K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

4 yr / 50K mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2016 GLA 250, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 71 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-54 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MADE A RUMBLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED 1,400 RPMS/55 MPH, THE FAILURE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: DRIVING 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY, 12K MILES ON MY 2016 CAR AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT THE TOP OF MY CAR. SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST, SHREDS OF GLASS EVERYWHERE. NO WARNINGS, SOUNDS, ANY IDEA ABOUT TO OCCUR.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: "TAKATA RECALL" WHAT PURPOSE DOES THIS RECALL SERVE IF THE MANUFACTURER STILL DOES NOT HAVE A "REMEDY" AVAILABLE? I HAVE 3 BENZ'S, ALL AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND FOR OVER 1 YEAR THE DEALER CANNOT REPAIR DUE TO "NO REMEDY YET AVAIL". SO IN THE MEANTIME, WE SHOULD DRIVE AND PRAY THAT SOMETHING TRA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I HAVE A INFANT ON BOARD WITH ME, AND TRAVELS WITH ME, FROM FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA TO HAMPTON, VIRGINIA.WE CLOUD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON THE WAY HOME TO THANKS GIVING DINNER LAST MONTHIN HAMPTON. SO, MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND I LEFT LEFT FREDERICKSBURG, VI ALL OF A SUDDEN MY MERCEDES GLA 250 2016 SLAMMED I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)