2023 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seat Belts (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2) · Suspension (1)
🧭 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 (1)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:lock 2026-07-24 · campaign 26V481000 · 310,667 vehicles
Defect: 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. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.
Service bulletins (185)
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.
Steering 2026-09-26 · LI46.10-P-080896 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint slight creaking noises when steering. cause noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. remedy remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. if necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.
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
Electrical System 2026-09-15 · LI82.60-P-080383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. the ui continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. cause when a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the head unit application to fail to overwrite the pr
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 2026-08-29 · LI27.19-P-080869 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint temporary no start condition with check engine light and multiple warning messages. when performing a quick test, the following fault code is stored in y3/14 ‑ transmission control for 8‑speed dual‑clutch transmission (dkg): p24f100 the wake‑up line of the control unit has a short circuit
Showing the 6 most recent of 185 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-18 · Unknown Or Other“i request that nhtsa investigate whether 2023 mercedes-benz gla 250 vehicles and other h247 vehicles are susceptible to foreign-material intrusion into the hvac blower system and whether the existing intake grille/sealing design adequately prevents debris from reaching and damaging the blower motor. i further request that nhtsa determine whether m…”
2026-07-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“ 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 sym…”
2026-06-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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…”
2026-02-16 · Suspension“unkown available for inspection cylinder misfiring ,stalling loss of power while driving, jerking during accelerations rough unstable idle intense vehicle vibrations yes took in for service a and d no other lights appeared beside service a and d …”
2026-01-12 · Engine“in reference to safety recall n252494000 l87 engine loss of propulsion... vehicle passed the recall test. but 2500 miles after the test the engine failed. per dealership, awaiting new engine. …”
2025-12-07 · Unknown Or Other“[xxx] we were driving to san francisco. traffic was very light because of the upcoming thanksgiving holiday. we were about 1000 feet from the toll plaza, driving at 50-55 mph. there was a car behind us about six car lengths back. there were no cars in front of us between us and the toll plaza. nothing at all. there were no cars in lanes to our lef…”
2024-09-06 · Seat Belts · 💥 crash“incident on [xxx] 1450 gla 250 approx 6 months old ? est car was doing 40 mph impacted back of car my gla 250 (other car was 1955 chevy - driver stated to police and on report he had a brake failure - no brakes ) as she was at the stop light it pushed her car about 4-5 feet almost hitting car in front of her which was also stopped at light - polic…”
2023-08-30 · Seat Belts“the rear drivers side seat belt receiver would not allow the belt buckle to insert leaving the rear passenger without seatbelt protection. during the inspection process at the dealers the technician fount a small (1cm) item lodged in the receiver area. my concern is that an item of that size would be able to render the seatbelt assembly inoperable.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.