2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: the problem is when travelling at low speeds or stop the car to halt able to hear a noise from the rear end. like a metal hitting another metal. it has been only 1 month i bought the car and 1300miles on it. the car is making really loud noise when stopped and hear it properly. it is making clin. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

12 complaints

18%

• THE PROBLEM IS WHEN TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOP THE CAR TO HALT ABLE TO HEAR A NOISE FROM THE REAR END. LIKE A METAL HITTING ANOTHER METAL. IT HAS BEEN ONLY 1 MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR AND 1300MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS MAKING REALLY LOUD NOISE WHEN STOPPED AND HEAR IT PROPERLY. IT IS MAKING CLIN
• CAR BATTERY DIES IF VEHICLE NOT DRIVEN OFTEN AND/OR FOR LONGER DISTANCES. THIS WAS NOT EXPLAINED AT TIME OF SALE NOR DOES MANUAL MENTION. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT THAT BATTERY IS LOW. NO FIX. TOLD I SHOULD HOOK UP TO TRICKLE CHARGER. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY.
• In July 2022 I was a few miles from my home when the cluster starting showing warning lights. It started scrolling inoperative power brakes, inoperative steering and inoperative parking. Also the cluster was completely lit up. I turned the car around and put it in my garage. This is where the is

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

“THE PROBLEM IS WHEN TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOP THE CAR TO HALT ABLE TO HEAR A NOISE FROM THE REAR END. LIKE A METAL HITTING ANOTHER METAL. IT HAS BEEN ONLY 1 MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR AND 1300MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS MAKING REALLY LOUD NOISE WHEN STOPPED AND HEAR IT PROPERLY. IT IS MAKING CLIN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

9 complaints

13%

• AT 1:10 AM THE 2018 MERCEDES BENZ GLA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN USED IN OVER 6 HOURS. THE CAR HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS LAST SERVICED BY MB OF COCONUT CREEK ONE MONTH EARLIER FOR THE ROUTINE 10K SERVICE. THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE CAR
• The Battery keeps draining, appears to be a design defect. Vehicle model Mercedes GLA250 - 2018 Battery light came ON and car needed a jump start, take it to the dealer. Per dealer vehicle failed to crank and failed load test. Battery was removed and replaced on 20 July 2021. Miles 20,153. Invoice #
• My backup camera doesn’t work at least half the time. The screen is completely black when I start the car, and the radio doesn’t even come on until I’ve been driving for about 15 minutes. The car does not charge either of my phones even with the cord provided by Mercedes that links to the screen. I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“AT 1:10 AM THE 2018 MERCEDES BENZ GLA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN USED IN OVER 6 HOURS. THE CAR HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS LAST SERVICED BY MB OF COCONUT CREEK ONE MONTH EARLIER FOR THE ROUTINE 10K SERVICE. THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE CAR ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

8 complaints

12%

• THE PROBLEM IS WHEN TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOP THE CAR TO HALT ABLE TO HEAR A NOISE FROM THE REAR END. LIKE A METAL HITTING ANOTHER METAL. IT HAS BEEN ONLY 1 MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR AND 1300MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS MAKING REALLY LOUD NOISE WHEN STOPPED AND HEAR IT PROPERLY. IT IS MAKING CLIN
• I GOT HOME AND WHILE WAITING FOR MY GARAGE TO OPEN THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODE AND SHATTER WITH NO REASON, LUCKILY IT DID NOT HAPPENED IN THE FREEWAY, I READ THAT HAPPENS BEFORE TO A PILOT. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $250.00 JUST TO CHECK A BROKEN SUNROOF AND WONT ACCEPT THE DEFECT.
• I was getting a warning sign on my screen in car. Is said safety problem. I tried to tell Mercedes’ but they did not want to see the car . They told me to go to the mechanic who did a small job fixing the car due from a small collision. I did take it back and mechanic said he didn’t touch that. When

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

6 complaints

• The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while his wife was driving and the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle shifted independently into neutral(N). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver restarted the vehicle and was able to cont
• Summary: Transmission automatically shifts out of drive into neutral. Loss of ability to accelerate when transmission shifts to neutral. No preemptive warnings from the vehicle prior to incident. After transmission shifts to neutral, warning displaying, "Do not shift, bring vehicle for service" appe
• The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted to neutral. No warning light was illuminated; however, the message "Transmission Error" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. A d

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

“The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while his wife was driving and the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle shifted independently into neutral(N). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver restarted the vehicle and was able to cont”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

6 complaints

• Strong fuel smell when starting under below freezing conditions.
• Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve - Code P052E This Recall are mentioned for other models with same year 2017 - 2020 But why not for GLA250. it's same problem and Dealer quote me $1500 - $2000 for Repair [XXX] Following threads prove there's lot of owners with same issue. [XXX] [XXX
• The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLA 250. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it was discovered that there was a fuel leakage. The hazard warning light was illuminated. The contact did research and discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V961000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN

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

“Strong fuel smell when starting under below freezing conditions.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~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 67 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: THE PROBLEM IS WHEN TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOP THE CAR TO HALT ABLE TO HEAR A NOISE FROM THE REAR END. LIKE A METAL HITTING ANOTHER METAL. IT HAS BEEN ONLY 1 MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR AND 1300MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS MAKING REALLY LOUD NOISE WHEN STOPPED AND HEAR IT PROPERLY. IT IS MAKING CLIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: AT 1:10 AM THE 2018 MERCEDES BENZ GLA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN USED IN OVER 6 HOURS. THE CAR HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS LAST SERVICED BY MB OF COCONUT CREEK ONE MONTH EARLIER FOR THE ROUTINE 10K SERVICE. THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE PROBLEM IS WHEN TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOP THE CAR TO HALT ABLE TO HEAR A NOISE FROM THE REAR END. LIKE A METAL HITTING ANOTHER METAL. IT HAS BEEN ONLY 1 MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR AND 1300MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS MAKING REALLY LOUD NOISE WHEN STOPPED AND HEAR IT PROPERLY. IT IS MAKING CLIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while his wife was driving and the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle shifted independently into neutral(N). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver restarted the vehicle and was able to cont
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)