Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am reporting a severe drivability and engine failure issue with my vehicle. The vehicle has been exclusively maintained by authorized Mercedes-Benz service centers. Immediately following a scheduled 60,000-mile (Schedule B/C) maintenance, the Check Engine Light began cycling on and off. The vehicle simultaneously developed severe drivability symptoms: the engine ran extremely rough, and acceleration became erratic and "jumpy." This unpredictable power delivery and hesitation poses a significant safety hazard when accelerating or merging in traffic. I immediately returned the vehicle to the service center to report the issue. The dealership has now retained my vehicle for over 20 days and diagnosed that the cylinder head requires complete replacement. …
On 2 separate occasions (August 2025 & February 2026), the car has had a "transmission malfunction" light come on while driving on the highway around 65-70 mph. The light comes on and immediately loses ability to accelerate. Both times the car was towed to Greensboro Mercedes. The first time they did not do anything because they didn't know what to do and it had "reset" itself. The second time they discovered that it needed a software update. Mercedes does NOT have the update that is needed. We tried going through the lemon law process but Mercedes Corporate came back with an answer of it hasn't happened enough times and a remedy has not been attempted enough times. They have NOT attempted to fix it because they DO NOT have a fix. This IS NOT SAFE for my daughter to drive. This is her car and it has been in the shop since February 2026. …
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 engine is still running the AC) . When you start to drive again the car always jerks before moving , on at least 3 occasions it has actually cut off completely and must be restarted (everything goes off) - it is big problem, especially in heavy traffic (horns blaring & angry drivers are encountered) I almost had a car hit me from behind; my car had jerked slightly when I began to accelerate and then shut off completely. It is definitely a dangerous defect. The Dealership emphasizes 93 Octane gas or higher to help with this issue- but I Always use the highest Octane gas I can find ! …
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 engine shutdown while driving. This issue appears to be widespread among GLA models equipped with the M260/M270 engine, often occurring well before 100,000 miles. It raises serious concerns about the design, durability, and safety of the engine's top-end components. Given the frequency and severity of this failure - and the high cost of repairs - I believe this warrants an official investigation and potential manufacturer recall. I urge the NHTSA to review similar complaints and initiate a formal inquiry into Mercedes-Benz's awareness and handling of this defect. …
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with crankcase vent valve failure and a block actuator. The contact was informed that the crankcase sensor valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 43,264.
The vehicle with only 29,775 miles on it, and I bought it new, made a knocking noise in the brakes and the brake pedal jumped up and down at first stop sign when I left my house. I reapplied the brake to see if it would work. It did. I turned onto the highway and within two blocks the vehicle shifted itself into N, a message on dashboard said pull over, contact service immediately. I was able to coast then turn onto a side street. Upon stopping the vehicle, another warning came on the dashboard: Reversing Not Possible Service Required. This vehicle has had quirky electrical problems from the beginning. I have reported to the dealership at least 3-4 times. I believe this could have been a very dangerous situation for me and my family if I was on an Interstate. I have no confidence in this vehicle now.
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and jerked abnormally before accelerating. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while accelerating from the vehicle idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the crankcase vent valve had malfunctioned and caused the failure. The contact was informed that the crankcase vent valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used an OBD2 scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes that indicated that the PCV valve had failed. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to determine if the repair would be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the Manufacturer Communication Number: 10241531. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, and 2016 SLK300 roadster vehicles manufactured July 17, 2015, to August 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have intake or exhaust camshafts whose welds may fail and possibly cause engine damage.
Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected camshafts, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 9, 2015. The recall began on December 23, 2015.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz GLA250 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (27), 2016 (16), 2018 (12), 2017 (10) and 2021 (9) model years. Engine complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz GLA250 engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-662 (engine, Oct 16, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz GLA250 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › emission control › crankcase (pcv) (2 mentions).
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.