2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 Problems & Complaints

Better than average51% fewer complaints than a typical year of the GLA250 at the same age

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 51% fewer than a typical GLA250 model year at the same age, making the 2017 one of the better GLA250 years. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (10 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles). 9 recalls cover this model year.

31complaints
9recalls
0crashes
1fires
1injuries
0deaths

Most common 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 problems

  • Electrical system~74,000 miles
    1032%
  • Engine & cooling~13,000 miles
    1032%
  • Other / not specified
    516%
  • Air bags~70,000 miles
    413%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~37,000 miles
    310%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    310%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~64,000 miles
    26%
  • Equipment & accessories
    13%
  • Brakes
    13%
  • Steering~70,000 miles
    13%
  • Wheels & tires
    13%
  • Driver assistance
    13%

Share of the 31 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz GLA250 complaints by model year

201520162017201820192020202120222023202494503150291121582
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz GLA250. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best GLA250 years: 2024, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2015. Compare all years →

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 recalls (9)

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

NHTSA recall 23V-854 · Dec 15, 2023 · 2,976 vehicles

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.

Communication › Auto crash notification

NHTSA recall 22V-365 · May 20, 2022 · 242,722 vehicles

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.

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.

Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector

NHTSA recall 21V-229 · Apr 1, 2021 · 4,992 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 B250e, CLA250, 2017-2018 AMG CLA45, GLA250, and AMG GLA45 vehicles. The steering shaft bore hole for the universal joint bearing may allow excessive movement that, over time, could result in the separation of the bearing and universal joint.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021.

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

NHTSA recall 21V-197 · Mar 19, 2021 · 15,096 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45…

Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge.

Communication › Auto crash notification

NHTSA recall 21V-072 · Feb 12, 2021 · 67 vehicles

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.

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.

Communication › Auto crash notification

NHTSA recall 21V-058 · Feb 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles

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.

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.

Show 3 more recalls

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 17V-627 · Oct 6, 2017 · 495,290 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

Electrical system › Starter assembly

NHTSA recall 17V-114 · Feb 23, 2017 · 307,629 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 C300 4Matic, C300, CLA250, CLA250 4Matic and CLA45 AMG vehicles, 2017 C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 4Matic Wagon, E43 AMG 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic Coupe vehicles and 2016 C350e and…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-080 · Feb 8, 2017 · 2,112 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E550 Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, E550 Cabriolet, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 Wagon, GLA250, and GLA250 4Matic vehicles.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250:

Front Roof Panel Detachment

NHTSA investigation PE21001 · opened Jan 8, 2021 · closed Oct 14, 2021 · led to recall 21V-197

On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the…

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

What 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 owners say

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the computer software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again and the contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Instrument cluster/panel · 74,000 miles · Sep 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the warning lights turned off one after the other and the instrument cluster independently powered off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,669.

Instrument cluster/panel · 90,000 miles · Jun 2026

Engine & cooling

I have a 2017 GLA-250 with 90k miles and check engine light is on. My mechanic told me it was engine code P052E-71 crankcase ventilation valve and was a very known problem with 4 cylinder turbo engine and mercedes benz has extended emissions warranty for this issue. Called Mercedes dealership and they told me my model was NOT covered. Only models 2015-2020 C/E/CLC/SLC/SLK. What a bunch of crap! All these models have the same engine. Cost of repair $2,300. I will never buy another Mercedes again. Company doesn't stand by their product when they know they have a known problem. My model should be covered. This is an emissions problem that they should recall for all models with 4 cylinder turbo engine

Feb 2024

car engine turned off by itself in the traffic. It has happened a few times when I was waiting at the traffic light or waiting in lane to make turn. The engine suddenly turned off completely and I was caught in the traffic.

Sep 2023

Air bags

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the warning light that the driver's side air bag required service was illuminated. The contact stated that the warning light was constantly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, and the contact was informed that there might be a recall associated with the VIN. The contact stated that one of the independent mechanics retrieved a DTC that the "Squib to the Driver's Side Air Bag had an Open Circuit" and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called a local dealer and was advised that there was a recall for the year, make, and model vehicle; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online related to the failure of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V627000 (Air Bags). …

60,000 miles · Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the horn and the speedometer failed to operate. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number; however, the contact was still awaiting a call back. The failure mileage was 69,605. The contact stated that they took the vehicle to two dealers and eventually paid out of pocket for the repairs. Unlike other vehicles with the same defects, the contact's vehicle is not a part of the recall.

70,000 miles · Nov 2022

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo7-speed dual-clutchFWD24 / 33 / 27

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 a good car?

Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 GLA250 rates better than average: 51% fewer complaints than a typical year of the GLA250 at the same age. It is one of the best GLA250 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250?

The electrical system — 10 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the engine & cooling (10) and air bags (4).

How many recalls does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 have?

There are 9 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250, the most recent from December 15, 2023 (roof and pillars). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz GLA250?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015. See the full Mercedes-Benz GLA250 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 64,000 miles; 38% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.