2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: i purchased this car approx 3 months after real issues began. my car would have issues idling where it would sometimes turn off at stop lights and require multiple reignition attempts before proceeding. this would also happen when the auto-start feature (anti-idle/gas saving) was engaged (which is .

1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

5 complaints

19%

• I purchased this car approx 3 months after real issues began. My car would have issues idling where it would sometimes turn off at stop lights and require multiple reignition attempts before proceeding. This would also happen when the auto-start feature (anti-idle/gas saving) was engaged (which is
• Engine misfired in operation requiring an emergency stop while on a mountain road. Severe check engine light turned on (Mercedes has a two stage check engine light). Vehicle was parked for 20 minutes and battery was disconnected. This appeared to fix the issue. Vehicle was brought to dealer. Dealer
• I am reporting a potential safety and mechanical defect involving the cylinder head in the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. Many owners, including myself, have experienced premature cylinder head failure, often without warning, leading to loss of power, engine misfires, rough idling, and in some cases, sudden

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

“I purchased this car approx 3 months after real issues began. My car would have issues idling where it would sometimes turn off at stop lights and require multiple reignition attempts before proceeding. This would also happen when the auto-start feature (anti-idle/gas saving) was engaged (which is ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

4 complaints

15%

• Please fix issue associated with my vin so I can Turo it
• My vehicle has two separate tire inflation placards. There is a placard inside the drivers door recommending 43 PSI (cold) all tires, and another placard inside the fuel door recommending 38 PSI front and 34 PSI rear (cold). Two different tire service centers have confirmed that my tires are weari
• I am reporting a potential safety and mechanical defect involving the cylinder head in the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. Many owners, including myself, have experienced premature cylinder head failure, often without warning, leading to loss of power, engine misfires, rough idling, and in some cases, sudden

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

“Please fix issue associated with my vin so I can Turo it”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

4 complaints

15%

• The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the rearview
• The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet avai
• The entire circuit board was short circuited immobilizing the car in the middle of the highway. It was determined that the condensation of the air conditioning was unable to drain due to the drainage tubing being clogged with insects, causing water to back up and short circuited the electrical syste

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

“The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the rearview”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

3 complaints

12%

• The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the rearview
• Car's brake system slammed on in light traffic with no nearby obstacles. Clear night, light traffic, road dry, moderate temperature. If there had been more traffic, or if the road had been slick, high probability of risk. Dealer has been notified, will not be able to pick up vehicle for a day or tw
• The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet avai

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

3 complaints

12%

• I purchased this car approx 3 months after real issues began. My car would have issues idling where it would sometimes turn off at stop lights and require multiple reignition attempts before proceeding. This would also happen when the auto-start feature (anti-idle/gas saving) was engaged (which is
• 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 ‘fuel saving feature’ which comes on in the form of a green symbol in the lower left of the odometer display (the en
• 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. Driver

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~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 26 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: I purchased this car approx 3 months after real issues began. My car would have issues idling where it would sometimes turn off at stop lights and require multiple reignition attempts before proceeding. This would also happen when the auto-start feature (anti-idle/gas saving) was engaged (which is
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Please fix issue associated with my vin so I can Turo it
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the rearview
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the rearview
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)