Home · 2015 Mercedes-benz GLA · Complaints

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 2 of 4

Mar 8, 2024EngineFuel system

All MB GLA and CLA 2015 cars have a common issue "CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE" which should be replaced a few times for the cars. Each service will cost at least $2000.00. Please ask MB to recall their cars and fix this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11576297

Feb 27, 2024Body & structure

The panoramic sunroof will not open on one side rendering the sunroof unusable. this problem is happening often on this Mercedes model. Looks like Mercedes used plastic guide to move the sunroof back and forward and if you take a bump while driving with the sunroof on the tilted position it will break the plastic tracks rendering the sunroof unusable. this is a time-consuming fix because the interior of the car needs to come out to completely remove the sunroof and replace the damage part with the same original part that will break again under the same circumstances.

NHTSA ODI 11574178

Feb 5, 2024Electrical systemEngine

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the collision assists warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed PVC valve. Additionally, the transmission assist needed service due to overheating. The collision assist warning light was reset. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred, and the collision assist, and the check engine warning lights illuminated again. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure occurred four times. The vehicle was repaired twice by the dealer and once by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 11570114

Jan 23, 2024EngineFuel system

When it first started to malfunction, my car would suddenly loose power out of nowhere and pretty much stop wherever. It's done it when I was crossing a busy intersection and it stalled right in the middle of the road causing other cars to have to stop or go around me. It has also stopped while I was driving on the freeway. I didn't even have enough power or momentum to pull off to a safe lane and almost caused an accident and several times while I was driving up a narrow two way road in the mountains. Later down the road my check engine light came on and I got the code p205e, Crankshaft ventilation breather hose is clogged, then my car lost power for good. It has been parked for almost a year now because I can't afford the repair and I am still paying car payments and insurance on it

NHTSA ODI 11567146

Jan 2, 2024Engine

I was getting of the highway when i heard a knocking sound. I pulled off the road and had my vehicle towed to my mechanic. According to my mechanic. I need a new motor because of a weld failure on the crankshaft.

NHTSA ODI 11562966

Jan 2, 2024Engine

Have seen a lot people I know with Mercedes have a code p052e and it cost over 2000 grand to repair. Should be a resall since a lot have been having same problem with the same code. Went off for now but I’ve seen online a lot saying it had check engine light come on again!

NHTSA ODI 11563146

Dec 27, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated, and there were fumes from the exhaust entering the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11562014

Nov 21, 2023

Panoramic Roof exploded without any outside influences causing this...many on your radar...dangerous...not sure why the NHTSA has not ordered a recall...there have been thousands of these same issues across many manufacturers. Almost caused a crash due to the startle effect of the explosion. MBZ does not make a replacement part for this. Why is that? There's a reason behind this. It's the gov'ts responsibility to keep us safe...Insurance paid for the replacement...MBZ does not make it...there are no aftermarket replacements for this. Dealership has had the car on it's lot for 5 weeks...it's been out of order for 8 weeks.

NHTSA ODI 11556301

Oct 30, 2023Engine

Crankcase Vent Value defect

NHTSA ODI 11552626

Oct 23, 2023Engine

Positive crankcase ventilation regulator valve preformence I know alot people have same problem

NHTSA ODI 11551496

Oct 18, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The message "Take Vehicle to Your Dealer" was displayed. The contact noticed that the gear shift indicator light was in neutral (N) while the gear shifter was in drive (D). The contact stated that she shifted out of drive (D) and back into drive (D), and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure occurred on two occasions. The contact stated that she had stopped driving the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 117,100.

NHTSA ODI 11550643

Oct 13, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Car randomly shifts to neutral, displays message : "reverse not available" or "transmission malfunction". Car rapidly slows down causing cars behind to make avoidance maneuvers. Scanned fault codes: P079200 (transmission rpm sensor 1 malfunction) P274600 (transmission rpm sensor 2 malfunction)

NHTSA ODI 11549868

Oct 5, 2023Engine

We own a 2015 Mercedes GLA. There has been a voluntary extended warranty due to a known issue on their end for years with this very expensive fix on low mileage cars. The voluntary extended warranty for this issue is not including the GLA class, when Mercedes has known this is a known issue and defect with their vehicles at the detriment and safety of the owners who unknowingly have to deal with this. I am writing to encourage the NHSTA to have Mercedes be accountable for this issue outside of the complaints related to the C class.

NHTSA ODI 11548401

Sep 9, 2023Fuel system

On September 7th, 2023 while I was on the fastest lane driving to work in the morning on I 10 fwy, the car shut down without any prior warning. Couldn't even put it in neutral. Called 911 and a cop called the towing service to take the car out of the fwy. Mercedes Benz Ontario dealer diagnostics says it's due to a fuel pump failure. I see a same issue recall, but not for my model. Mercedes should check if my model sold also has a similar fuel pump failure issue. It's very dangerous to stop without any warning.

NHTSA ODI 11543620

May 15, 2023

Panoramic sunroof issue. I was driving on the highway 65 mph and opened my sunroof. As I tried to close the sunroof I heard a noise, like the sunroof was coming off the track. I was unable to close it. As I drove I felt like the sunroof could come off. I have an Appointment to have sunroof inspected. It does close.

NHTSA ODI 11522127

May 6, 2023

Auto A button for echo you power on but it not work. My keep faulty if my door lock with auto it sometimes won’t open then a lock smith has to be call

NHTSA ODI 11520721

Apr 5, 2023Fuel system

The factory fuel rubber inlet hose going to the high pressure fuel pump leaks in cold weather conditions. Multiple dealerships and online forums are aware of this fuel leak but a recall has not been issued to have the hose and clamp replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11515499

Mar 23, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The car had only 71,000 miles on it when it it had a crank no start situation that immobilized it and had to be towed. After diagnostics at two repair shops, it was determined that the exhaust camshaft was the cause. This model year car has a recall (Mercedes campaign 2015100009 and NHTSA campaign 15V662000) for the camshaft but not for the car's VIN. This failure should not occur in a car with this mileage. Had it suddenly stalled while driving, it could have resulted in a potential accident.

NHTSA ODI 11513403

Jan 9, 2023Electrical systemAirbagsBody & structure

Mercedes no longer supports the sos ( tel-aid) system, so this system no longer works...each time you start the car, the sos inoperative warning light is on, and it blocks other safety features ( speedometer etc..). You have to reset the light each time you get in the car. Without the support of the system there is no emergency alert theft tracking ,airbag deployment sent to MB etc etc. Mercedes no longer services this feature, and this is one of the reasons we bought this car. It's a tremendous safety concern. Even though there are dealer bulletins about this, there is no fix. All these cars should be purchased back by MB. I'm uncomfortable driving a car that could be involved in a collision, and the car not notifying MB, or the police

NHTSA ODI 11500892

Jan 5, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled in the middle of the roadway. The contact stated there was an unknown message in RED displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted after several attempts and operated normally. The contact stated that the failure became more frequent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11500367

Dec 30, 2022BrakesDriver assistance

Had an update on the software to control collision prevention on the car, and soon afterward it began to deploy at certain spots without any other car in front for at least 50 feet. Took it back to the M-B Seattle dealer and after 4 weeks of investigation, I was told that the matter is exterior to the car and that the car performs as intended. T still drive the car and it still gives me warnings of impending to engage the collision detection braking system. I don't feel very comfortable driving it in the city.

NHTSA ODI 11499518

Nov 23, 2022

Rear camera stopped working.

NHTSA ODI 11494711

Nov 7, 2022Electrical systemFire

A driver in my household was driving at normal speeds and smelled smoke in the cabin. She pulled over immediately to the nearest gas station. In that short time, there were FLAMES coming from the center console area. She ran inside to get employees with fire extinguisher. The fire was put out and police/fire department were called. The car was un-drivable, and my insurance declared it as a total loss (it would cost more to repair than the current blue book value). I had a similar problem previously with a Mercedes 2014 CLA250. That was a smaller fire, but melted the console area. I will be submitting a report for that one as well, even though it happened several years ago. After that incident we went back and forth with MB corporate and ultimately took it to dealer and ended up trading in for this one. Both fires were electrical fires from wires underneath the center console.

NHTSA ODI 11492588

Oct 30, 2022Body & structureVisibility & wipers

Panoramic sunroof slider shoes failing, being cracked and stuck in the railing, causing a sunroof malfunction. The main concern of danger is that during closing the sunroof, with a lack of support glass bangs down coming in contact with some metal parts, risk of being shattered and cause injury to passengers. In my specific car, somehow all 4 shoe sliders failed on a car with less than 50,000 miles. While researching, the issue is raised by many other owners and appears to be a wide spread systemic flaw. https://www.glaowners.com/threads/shoe-on-rail-of-panoramic-sunroof-broke.26716/page-5

NHTSA ODI 11491538

Oct 1, 2022Electrical systemEngine

When I went to start my vehicle it did not turn on. The lights weren’t on and we had the battery and alternator checked out and they were fine.

NHTSA ODI 11487464

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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 →