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What 100 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-benz GLA

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (100)Crash / fire / injury (5)Engine (31)Transmission & drivetrain (15)Airbags (13)Electrical system (13)Body & structure (12)Fuel system (12)Visibility & wipers (10)Brakes (5)Driver assistance (4)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (3)

Newest first · 100 complaints · page 1 of 4

Apr 28, 2026Visibility & wipers

On the morning of April 28, 2026, at approximately 7:30 AM, I discovered that the front panel of the panoramic sunroof on my 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG had spontaneously shattered while the vehicle was parked at my residence in Meridian, Idaho. When I went out to the vehicle in the morning, I found glass fragments distributed across the rear seat area, the rear floor, and my child's car seat. Looking up, I saw that the front panoramic glass panel had shattered. My husband and I conducted a complete walk-around inspection of the vehicle exterior. We found no evidence of any external impact: no damage to the roof surface, body panels, surrounding trim, or any other glass on the vehicle. There was no debris (rocks, branches, hailstones, construction materials, or any other potential impact source) on top of, beneath, in or around the vehicle. The rear panoramic glass panel was intact. Glass fragments were present both inside the cabin and on the exterior surface of the roof and a few fragments were found on the roadway. The car seat where glass fragments fell is regularly occupied by my [XXX] daughter. On this particular morning, she was not in the vehicle only because of a coincidental change in our family's schedule that day, but typically she gets into her carseat independently, buckles herself, and I check her buckles. Thankfully, she was not injured but her car seat now has glass fragments in the seat. I am filing this complaint to document the incident in support of NHTSA's ongoing collection of safety data for consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11734452

Feb 10, 2026Airbags

I came out from work. Got in my car and started it and went to make a three-point turn to go the opposite direction on a quiet back street in the airbag deployed halfway through and blew up in my face, causing my hands to be hurt and difficulty with breathing.

NHTSA ODI 11716914

Feb 1, 2026Lane DepartureDriver assistance

Collision Prevention Assist Plus Inoperative Light on the dashboard it appears often and beep I am not sure and why

NHTSA ODI 11714841

Nov 20, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the roof panel had detached and was tilted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an estimate for the repair was provided. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure), but the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11700522

Nov 20, 2025Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the sunroof panel was tilted on one side and fractured. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon researching the failure, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the failure. The dealer provided an unknown diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11700532

Nov 14, 2025Suspension

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear suspension collapsed. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the vehicle swerved into the next lane. The contact stated that there were no other vehicles nearby during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with frame corrosion. The contact was informed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11699420

Oct 24, 2025Body & structure

Mercedes repair shop inspected this car and stated that there is rear-subframe rusting and corrosion. Repair shop states that this is a safety issue. I took it into Mercedes dealer who stated that this VIN is not covered by a 20-year, unlimited-mile rear-subframe warranty (Feb–Mar 2023) for specific models (C/E/GLK/CLS/SLK/SLC/SL). Mercedes extended the warranty on the models where they saw the most repeat failures, in a way that addresses the worst cases (holes) while controlling scope and liability—not an admission of a universal defect across all lines (e.g., GLA), which is why my VIN isn’t in the program.

NHTSA ODI 11695495

Aug 22, 2025SteeringAirbags

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA ODI 11682440

Aug 11, 2025Engine

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had progressed. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P052E71; was retrieved. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11679767

Jun 30, 2025EngineFuel system

Check engine light on my 2015 MB GLA250 4matic came on and the error is "P052E PCV Regulator Valve Performance". There is a recall for other MB vehicle with the same engine. I believe the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 and other models with the same engine should be included in the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11670346

Jun 24, 2025Engine

I have a 2015 Mercedes benz GLA 250 showing code P052E There’s a TSB (MC‑10241531‑0001) and (LI01.20-P-076894 )covering intake‑line assemblies on similar M270‑engine models. Based on these two service bulletin kindly assist with extended emissions warranty

NHTSA ODI 11668794

Feb 5, 2025Fuel system

Same part had been recalled from all other models but not my model. It's the same part being used across Mercedes and they won't sale the valve and force customers like me there are thousands other to spent $2700 plus to replace whole system. Should have been recalled since it's same valve that may be using across all vehicles. Failed the emission test which is a big problem they should have addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11640785

Jan 3, 2025Fuel system

They had recall of this part which is valve in all other models except for this one. My vehicle failed VEIP test due to faulty valve and required assistance from the dealer but they refused to provide solutions and asked to pay $2700 and $230 diagnosis fee when we already had code which showed which part and which is recalled in all other Mercedes vehicles with 150000 milage warranty. We cannot just replace valve they are forcing to replace whole assembly causing problems for many owners like me. My vehicle has only 36k milage. If same valve is faulty which creates environmental hazard that should be recalled in all models from same manufacturer Instead of forcing ripping customers with high cost and environmental risk.

NHTSA ODI 11633883

Dec 6, 2024Fuel systemLane Departure

Car smell like fuel possibly fuel injectors or fuel line… recall on 2016-2021 models but 2015 having same issue Blind spot assist says inoperative Mercedes changed sensors multiple times still says inoperative

NHTSA ODI 11629346

Sep 18, 2024Transmission & drivetrainVisibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle was lagging with a loud rumbling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal excessively to stop the vehicle from hesitating. The failure had become more persistent. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to open, as well. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,277.

NHTSA ODI 11615183

Aug 27, 2024Engine

Today a Check Engine Light turned on my vehicle. I pulled the code via the OBD2 port and looked it up online. It turns out that this issue, code P052E, a defective Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve, is a well known problem on in-period MB cars and the manufacturer has issued an extended warranty to other models in their range, but excluded the GLA250, which uses the same parts as several other covered models including the GLC300, a vehicle covered by said extended warranty. If left untreated oil can travel up the electronic lines, ultimately fouling the ECU leading to an extreme hazard. This fault is also extremely expensive to fix, about $2000, as the faulty part (alone about $70) is sold only as a component of a larger kit (about $700), and installing the kit requires removing motor mounts and hoisting the engine. Mercedes should either widen the Extended Warranty to cover all of it's vehicles built with the defective part or issue a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11611263

Aug 22, 2024Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Good Afternoon, the status of my vehicle is simply UNKNOWN. I purchased my vehicle on the 26th last year of January. That same day I drove it back home my car was jerking. So I went back the following day to see if I could get into another vehicle because this one was malfunctioning they didn’t want to do anything for me. I tried so many different options to get out of this car I had a few scares driving this car the week of ownership. About sis times my car cut off completely during traffic and I have some recorded videos. Theirs a leakage somewhere I can fill up my gas tank to full and drive maybe two blocks away from my house and the gas meter is say that I have half a tank. Now my car is overheating, it’s not cranking it just tells me on the dashboard that 4MATIC is unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11610274

Aug 19, 2024Visibility & wipersBody & structure

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to close completely as needed. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that a plastic part of the roof panel had detached. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the right and left roof guides, motor glass, and headliners. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V854000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11609498

Aug 14, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

there is a known issue with the mercedes benz GLA 250 rear differential. it is defective and need to be replaced many times during the life of the vehicle. i have not had an accident that i can relate to this defect but i feel it need to be reported and investigated by your office. the cost of the repair is over $6000. you can read more about this issue in this forum [XXX] i started reporting the issue before the warranty expired, the dealer was never able to find the problem, after the warranty expires they "discovered" what the issue is, the rear differential need to be replaced. of course they deny any wrongdoing but this is a well documented manufacturing defect that should be addressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11608450

Jun 13, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

Rear differential has failed/malfunctioned. The vehicle is available upon request. It is a road safety issue as it will stall/ hesitate when accelerating and has a jerking effect. It has been confirmed by an independent service center. It had not been inspected by anyone, other than an independent service center mechanic. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11594191

Jun 4, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. While the contact’s daughter was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was eventually restarted and driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission valve body and conductor plate had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,749.

NHTSA ODI 11592418

May 10, 2024Engine

My 2015 Mercedes Benz GLA check engine light came on for error P052E Positive Crankcase ventilation assembly. This is a $2,000 dollar repair because you need to buy the whole assembly and you can’t just buy the valve like other cars. This part has a recall on other models but not the GLA. For example the metrics uses the same part and is covered by a recall but not the GLA. We need to included in this recall. This design flaw renders my 2015 useless and virtually has no value. Please compel Mercedes to recall this defective part and design flaw that requires 6-8 hours of labor for a simple part that is easily accessible on all other cars.

NHTSA ODI 11588169

Apr 30, 2024

My car suddenly shifts to Neutral when stopped at the stoplight/while driving causing a safety issue. I had to turn off and turn on every time this happens. I called Mercedes and filed a complaint #06552876

NHTSA ODI 11586224

Apr 17, 2024Fuel systemDriver assistance

Engine Light Came up & CollIsion Warring Massage Show Up

NHTSA ODI 11583514

Apr 16, 2024Engine

The engine light is one and the related code for the engine light is P052E-71. The valve for Crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. There is recall for the code for other Mercedes Benz car model varies from 2015 to 2019. I believe this code on for GLA 250 is the same manufacture malfunction parts and should be recalled for free replacement for safety reason.

NHTSA ODI 11583328

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Working with the data? Download all 100 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 Mercedes-benz GLA verdict →