Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | −56% | 2 | Electrical | Average |
| 2023 | 8 | −20% | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 2022 | 5 | −45% | 2 | Engine | Good |
| 2021 | 21 | 1.3× | 9 | Engine | Average |
| 2020 | 11 | −55% | 5 | Electrical | Good |
| 2019 | 29 | typical | 11 | Transmission | Average |
| 2018 | 50 | typical | 12 | Engine | Average |
| 2017 | 31 | −51% | 9 | Electrical | Good |
| 2016 | 50 | −14% | 4 | Engine | Average |
| 2015 | 94 | 2.0× | 5 | Engine | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median GLA250 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mercedes-Benz GLA250 problems
Latest Mercedes-Benz GLA250 recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Lock
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024 AMG GLA 35 4MATIC, GLA 250 4MATIC, and GLA 250 vehicles. The front headlights may have missing headlight aim markings, which can result in improperly aimed headlights.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlights as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 3, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
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…
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022 A220, GLA250, and AMG GLA35 vehicles. The headlights may be incorrectly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and correct the headlight adjustment, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mercedes-Benz GLA250 should you avoid?
2015 — this year has the most complaints relative to other GLA250 years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2015.
What is the best year for the Mercedes-Benz GLA250?
2024 has the fewest complaints compared with other GLA250 years at the same age, followed by 2020 and 2017. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mercedes-Benz GLA250 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (84), electrical system (49) and transmission & drivetrain (44). Engine complaints peak in the 2015 model year.
How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz GLA250 had?
27 recalls across 2015–2024. The model year with the most is 2018. See all Mercedes-Benz GLA250 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.