2016 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (9) · Power Train (4) · Fuel/Propulsion System (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2023-12-15 · campaign 23V854000 · 2,976 vehicles
Defect: 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 repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2021-03-19 · campaign 21V197000 · 15,096 vehicles
Defect: 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 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped wi
Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Air Bags:frontal 2017-10-06 · campaign 17V627000 · 495,290 vehicles
Defect: 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 Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Cou
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (100)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-08-29 · LI 27.10-P-080851 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint intermittent shift feel or thud/clunk noise perceived, such as a brief jerk or transmission reaction during certain driving situations. may be most noticeable when transitioning from a coasting condition to accelerator pedal application. may occur in all drive modes. cause dual‑clutch tran
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Showing the 6 most recent of 100 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-28 · Power Train“the contact owns a 2016 mercedes-benz gla-250. the contact stated that on several occasions while stopped at a traffic light or a stop sign, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral(n) with the neutral(n) indicator light illuminated. the driver turned off and restarted the vehicle and shifted back into drive(d). the vehicle was scheduled for …”
2026-10-18 · Service Brakes“the parking brake comes on while driving , the screen goes off and on while driving it makes it impossible to give signal because it's inoperable.…”
2026-08-28 · Unknown Or Other“my 2016 mercedes-benz cla 250 (vin: [xxx]) has a check engine light for code p052e, which points to a broken crankcase ventilation valve. my car has only 59,000 miles on it, but this same exact part already broke once before and was replaced under the original warranty. now, the replacement part has failed too. this proves the part is defective and…”
2026-04-18 · Unknown Or Other“panoramic sunroof fails to open/ close evenly due to plastic track failure. one side binds while the other moves, causing glass to tilt and jam. risk of glass shattering, sudden detachment, distraction while driving, and water intrusion affecting airbags/electronics.…”
2026-01-30 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“my car totaled by another car and my air bags did not deploy. …”
2026-01-14 · Engine“i am reporting a p052e fault code related to the crankcase ventilation system on my mercedes-benz gla. this is a known and widespread defect on multiple mercedes-benz models and is commonly covered under service bulletins and extended warranties up to 150,000 miles. my vehicle has 92,000 miles. however, mercedes-benz has refused coverage, stating …”
2025-10-16 · Steering“my airbag malfunction light appeared on the dashboard. once the light appeared, the horn stopped working, a safety hazard that caused me not to be able to drive my vehicle for over a year due to the risk! i took the vehicle to the mercedes-benz dealership, 200 s pickett st, alexandria, va 22304, and was told that the recall was closed and that they…”
2025-03-17 · Exterior Lighting“my gla250 instrument cluster had been glitching out. the turn signals indicators would go off when the turn signal lights are initiated. the check engine light, high beam light, and other warning lights come on for no reason, or dim or no backlight, inaccurate gauge readings, erratic gauge needle movement, and even a completely dead cluster. i t…”
2024-10-14 · Unknown Or Other“cel p052e positive crankcase ventilation regulator valve performance many owners have had issues with this problem …”
2024-08-24 · Service Brakes“transmission from drive well sometimes shift to neutral while it is at a stand still usually waiting for a light to turn green, after which it takes its time to shift back into drive. while this happened a warning light appeared malfunction take straight to dealer. yesterday seems as if abs kicked in while driving, threw me into the steering wheel …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.