Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Complaints (2020)

11 consumer complaints on file.

#11772277October 19, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Vehicle: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 VIN: [XXX] I am filing a safety complaint regarding a severe, recurring defect in the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) and vehicle braking system. On three separate occasions, the vehicle has malfunctioned while driving, dangerously creating an imminent risk of an accident. Without warning, the vehicle acts as if the emergency parking brake has been manually engaged. Immediately following this event, multiple warning lights illuminate on the dashboard (including a warning stating "Active Brake Assist Functions Limited"). Once these lights appear, the braking system completely locks up the wheels, stalling the vehicle in place and making it entirely impossible to move. This failure has occurred in active traffic, leaving the vehicle stranded and creating a severe rear-end collision hazard. I have already paid over $2,000 in out-of-pocket repair costs attempting to diagnose and fix this issue at independent shops, but the dangerous malfunction continues to happen. I am aware of a recent XXX Mercedes-Benz safety recall concerning defective door latch microswitches causing identical electronic parking brake lockups on GLA models. However, when checking my specific VIN on the manufacturer's database, it states my vehicle is not included. Given that my vehicle exhibits the exact same life-threatening failure symptoms as the recalled population, I request that the NHTSA investigate this issue to determine if the current recall scope needs to be expanded to include my vehicle's batch. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768142September 30, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a 2020 GLA 250 4 matic mileage 62000 with a rear differential failure Was confirmed by a dealer. Mercedes is aware of this problem, there should be a safety recall before someone gets hurt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757199August 15, 2026
SEATS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
A bicyclist claims I almost ran him over. I didn’t hit him, but he fell over and made sued my insurance company. He claims he was at the right side of my car as I was merging towards the right to make a turn. If he was indeed in my blind spot, then it’s important to note that the blind spot assist didn’t alarm and that the design of the passenger seat does create a blind spot, especially for someone of short stature since I cannot see over the passenger seat. To avoid anything like this, I’ve had to remove the passenger headrest, it even at the lowest to the ground setting, the top of the passenger seat is higher than the rear passenger window, but at least the headrest no longer obstructs the view over my shoulder
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11682723August 24, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Had just gotten on the expressway, when a loud gunshot noise was heard. Out of fear, I ducked down, thinking it had actually been one. However, I heard a lot of wind coming in as if a window was down, when I look up, majority of my panoramic sunroof was gone. No messages or warnings appeared on the dash, and I pulled over to document photos and videos. The shade below the sunroof was not damaged, seems to be an internal force that made it explode and shatter into a thousand pieces.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664899June 4, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem has been confirmed by dealer that the rear differential assembly needs to be replaced. This is a very common defect with gla250’s. It been recalled in the past and Mercedes Benz is putting many drivers at risk. The estimated to replace is $6100! Mercedes Benz corporation refuses to replace the part only offering $1300. That is submission that they are aware something is wrong. I don’t feel safe driving a 2020 car. There have been many class action suits but there needs to be another investigation and recall which MB knows there is a problem and hazard
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620953October 21, 2024
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud rumbling sound heard. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB No: 2022030003. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618120October 4, 2024
STEERING, WHEELS, POWER TRAIN
My Mercedes Benz GLA250 has a faulty rear differential and began shuddering and driving poorly when it had 44K miles on it. This is a very premature failure as diagnosed by two repair shops and is happening to thousands of this model Mercedes Benz. The damage can be catastrophic if continued to be driven as the differential metal continues to deteriorate and possibly have metal shavings travel into the engine. I was told initially by Mercedes Benz it was bad tires! I replaced the tires and the shuddering became worse. I searched for the problem myself on the internet as the problem continued to worsen and countless people are complaining, saying it’s the rear differential. The cost is between $4K and $5K to replace.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616169September 24, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Strong “gas odor” upon entering car And continues despite opening all windows to ventilate-also on one time occasion - sudden deceleration And “surging speed” alternately While cruising- it feels that the car Will “stop” and it’s worrisome that I may be “hit “ by the vehicle behind me- also several “dashboard warning lights” different messages just “flashed” which also caused some “Panic” on me- brought the car to the shop- all they did ABS sensor replaced- no other issues noted- I read from MB owners forums about MB Recalls about same issues NHTSA 21V-961 NHTSA 23V- 445
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575791March 6, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, ENGINE
1. POWER STEERING: STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT ON A FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING MASSIVE COLLISION (this has happened twice) 2. Car Jerkiness: reported this to MBZ of San Rafael for 2 years (went into shop 10+ times for same issue and not resolved. It lunges forward while driving. This also is a safety issue almost causing me to hit a pedestrian 3. Vehicle Not opening 4. Vehicle Overheating 5. Faulty Wiring 6. Screen Black out
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11488566October 9, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission problem. On several occasions while driving, the car has lurched to a stop because gear changed suddenly from Drive to Park. At other times, the engine revvs and slows when it suddenly switches from Drive to "M1." After stopping, it goes back to "D" on its own. Serious safety issue, as I can get rear ended in traffic, or cause an accident for stopping without notice. I have one photo of the sudden transmission switch to M1 (today). Car has been towed to Mercedes service department; no other inspection yet. No warning lamps. Only that it is happening more frequently.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11302809January 29, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START FROM THE CELL PHONE. THE CONTACT TRIED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AND MADE A STOP IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED ALL KINDS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THE SOS SYSTEM ALERTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MERCEDES-BENZ OF ATLANTIC CITY DEALER, LOCATED AT 6623 BLACK HORSE PIKE, EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ 08234, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN CONTACTED MERCEDES IN GERMANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO A LOOSE WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A BUY-BACK ON THE CONDITION THE CONTACT WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE OFFER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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