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

Upon start, got a "reverse not possible" warning. Tried to drive home, but shifting was very erratic and car slowed dramatically between shifts. On several occasions, cars behind me had to swerve to avoid me. And, if I would have had to reverse out of danger, I would have been in serious trouble. After too many close calls, I stopped to arrange a tow. When I returned to the car to move it, the problem went away. I am afraid to put my family in this car.

NHTSA ODI 11482597

2015 AMG GLA-45. Sunroof violently broke, opening from front (normal is back) and sticking up 3-4 inches. Luckily this happened in our garage not moving, while simply pushing Close Sunroof button. If this had happened on the highway, it could have ripped off and killed somebody. Dealer says common problem, as soon as I brought the car in they said “sunroof warranty job” but the car is actually out of warranty. MB Natick Mass dealer is charging $3000 to replace motor, track, hinges, wind deflector. Can’t be closed manually even by dealer so car useless for two weeks while waiting for MB Corporate to review case for recall or complimentary repair due to liability. Today they refused to cover the repair cost or add car to recall list. NHTSA should know this car has ~26,000 miles on it and we’ve only opened/closed the sunroof perhaps ten times since buying it new. The sunroof assembly is obviously defective from the factory and was a “timebomb.” If it broke on the highway, lifting up from the front, it could have flown off and caused an accident and/or killed somebody behind us. Scary.

NHTSA ODI 11471357

Plastic shoes broke on moonroof causing moonroof to be inoperable. Shoes are very fragile and difficult to replace. Many users have this problem. Broken shoes do not allow car to be driven with moonroof open as roof may fly upward and detach from vehicle. Moonroof lubrication is supposed to be part of maintenance schedule, which I have religiously adhered to, but dealership either ignored this maintenance step, or shoes broke anyway. Very expensive repair requires dropping of headliner. Please issue a safety recall.

NHTSA ODI 11459630

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was a loud explosion and she noticed that the front passenger’s side tire had exploded, causing the front passenger’s side headlamp to fracture. The contact stated that she was unsure if the failure was due to a defective tire or if an unknown object had caused the tire to explode. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11457230

Sunroof shoes have deteriorated and panoramic roof has become loose off the rails. This is a highly disturbing erosion putting drivers and other vehicles on the road in danger. I have found hundreds of reported cases of the same issue with no recall in place.

NHTSA ODI 11454683

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, she heard an abnormal gunshot-like sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then heard glass cracking and realized that the panoramic sunroof had shattered without incident. The contact was able to drive home despite the failure. The contact then contacted the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that a claim would be filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11446121

I was driving and my car randomly changed to neutral on the highway in traffic. I could not changed the gear and was almost hit by several cars that swirved around me. There is a recall for the 2019 version of the car for this very same issue but it exists in all years prior and Mercedes has not addressed it. This is happening to many of us and is being reported at glaowners.com

NHTSA ODI 11430060

The panoramic sunroof came off the rail and popped up almost detaching from the vehicle!!!

NHTSA ODI 11424980

THE VEHICLE SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL AND SAYS 4 MATIC NOT AVAILABLE. I HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP AND THEN SHUTOFF THE VEHICLE, TURN IT OFF AND THEN RESTART IT. ALSO THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ALERTS WHEN I PASS UNDERNEATH A LARGE METAL FREEWAY SIGNAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11416606

IT APPEARS THAT WHEN THE TURBOCHARGER IS ENGAGED, COOLANT LEAVING THE TURBOCHARGER IS SPRAYING FROM WHERE A PRESUMABLY NOW MISSING CLAMP WOULD OTHERWISE FORM A TIGHT FIT AROUND THE TUBING, WHICH IS NORMALLY HOUSED BENEATH HEAT SHIELDING. THE HEAT SHIELDING HAS BEEN DISPLACED BY THE HIGH PRESSURE PRODUCED BY THE HOT LIQUID. THE LIQUID IS SO HOT LEAVING THE TURBOCHARGER THAT AS IT SPRAYS OUT ONTO THE SURROUNDING AREAS IT HAS MELTED THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI 11363083

NEEDING TO FIX THE RECALL FOR SAFETY

NHTSA ODI 11360115

I WAS DRIVING DOWN RANCHO BLVD IN LAS VEGAS UNDER 15 MPH WINDS ON TUES AND THE SPOILER COVER FLEW OFF/SPOILER

NHTSA ODI 11354189

ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, SUNDAY 2019, WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 60 WESTBOUND AT THE SPEED OF AROUND 65 MILES/HOUR. THE ENGINE OF MY CAR STOPPED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, AND WE COULD MOVE THE CAR 20~30 YARDS BEFORE COMPLETE STOP. THE ONTARIO(CALIFORNIA) MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTER TOLD US THE CAUSE OF THE CAR FAILURE WAS A HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP RELATED PROBLEMS. ON DECEMBER 7, 2019, THE SAME CAR PROBLEM OCCURRED. WE WERE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 20 MILES/HOUR ON A ROAD IN THE CITY OF TORRENCE, AND THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE LA SERVICE CENTER SAID THE CAUSE OF FAILURE RELATED TO THE MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM THAT GOVERNS HYDRAULIC PUMP AND ENGINE, AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FIXED AT THE CENTER, AND THEY HAVE TO CONTACT THE FACTORY. THE 3RD CAR FAILURE OCCURRED ON SATURDAY, 2020.7.12. ON 2020.7.11., ONE DAY BEFORE THE CAR FAILURE, THE CAR FRONT PANEL SHOWED A LIGHT INDICATING AN ENGINE CHECK IS REQUIRED. HOWEVER, THE WARNING SIGNAL FOR ENGINE CHECK DISAPPEARED AND USED VISIT SON'S HOUSE. AFTER VISIT, WE STARTED THE CAR, AND THE ENGINE DID NOT START WITH A SYMPTOM SIMILAR TO. PREVIOUS TWO CASES.

NHTSA ODI 11339692

WAS DIVING ON A LOCAL INTERSTATE AT POSTED SPEED LEVEL AND THE FRONT HALF OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE/OBVIOUS REASON (NO IMPACT, PRIOR DAMAGE, ROAD CONDITIONS, ETC.). TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, WEATHER WAS SUNNY (HIGH 80'S), ROAD CONDITIONS NORMAL/GOOD.

NHTSA ODI 11337293

I BOUGHT THE MERCEDES GLA 250 IN SEPTEMBER 2018 AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A DAY OR TWO AND GO BACK OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE DID THE SAME THING AS BEFORE AND TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE AND STATED IT WAS A POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION ISSUE. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR CUT OFF AND HAD TO RESTART THE CAR THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER I STOPPED AT ANOTHER LIGHT AND THE CAR STOPPED AND HAD TO RESTART AGAIN. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MERCEDES OF BEDFORD ON JUNE 25 AND THE YOUNG LADY NEVER COMMUNICATED THAT I WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR HAD TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I WENT TO MERCEDES ON JUNE 29TH AND STATED I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE BUT WAS NOT MADE AWARE PREVIOUSLY ON JUNE 29TH. THE WARRANTY ON ON THE VEHICLE WAS UP ON MARCH 30TH. I LEFT AND DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEEMS THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE IS A COMMON ISSUE PLUS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR SOMETIME NOW. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 3 WEEKS TO A MONTH FOR THE PART TO COME IN FROM GERMANY. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE AND SEE HOW MANY CARS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11337140

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PEMBROKE PINES (954-644-5035, LOCATED AT 14199 PINES BOULEVARD, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33027) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,747. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11292106

CHECK ENGINE APPEARED ON OUR DASH BOARD AT 56,000 MILEAGE AND DIAGNOSED WITH A PROBLEM OF THE AUXILLARY ELECTRICAL OIL PUMP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE CHECK ENGINE AFTER WE ARE OFF WARRANTY. I CAN ALSO SMELL GAS INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN I TURNED ON THE ENGINE

NHTSA ODI 11258021

I WAS DRIVING TO MEET A FRIEND FOR LUNCH. I CAME UP UPON A STOP LIGHT THAT WAS ALREADY RED AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN THE THIRD CAR IN LINE. I CAME TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A STOP. I WAS ABOUT A CAR LENGTH OR MORE BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NEXT THING I KNOW, I HEAR A LOUD BANG AS MY CAR HAD ACCELERATED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THAT CAR, IN TURN, HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM. I WAS VERY CONFUSED. I RECEIVED A TRAFFIC TICKET FOR UNCONTROLLED SPEED. THE POLICEMAN THOUGHT I WAS I WAS CRAZY WHEN I SAID THAT I HAD COME TO A STOP. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE, SO I STILL WENT TO LUNCH WITH MY FRIEND. NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER WITH PARKING OR DRIVING THE CAR TO THE RESTAURANT, WHICH WAS ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY. AFTER LUNCH, I THEN NEEDED TO RUN AN ERRAND BEFORE I WENT HOME. I DROVE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE RESTAURANT AND PULLED INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. I THEN SLOWLY PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT BETWEEN TWO OTHER CARS. AS MY CAR HIT THE CURB, IT THEN WENT OVER THE CURB, ONTO THE SIDEWALK AND SLAMMED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL OF ONE OF THE SHOPS. I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME, VERY SHAKEN, AND RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET. EVERYTHING I FOUND INDICATED IT WAS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA). I TOLD MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND ALSO CALLED MERCEDES BENZ USA. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE MERCEDES COLLISION REPAIR SHOP. MERCEDES DID A RECORDED CONVERSATION AND SAID NOT TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. THEY WERE DEFENSIVE WHEN I MENTION SUA, BUT MY MAT IS VELCROED ON AND IT HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY. AFTER THE SECOND COLLISION, I SAW A MESSAGE ON MY DASH THAT SAID : ?COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS INOPERATIVE". MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I CHECKED AT THE MERCEDES COLLISION CENTER TODAY AND WAS TOLD MERCEDES REMOVED A BLACK RECORDING BOX FROM MY CAR. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK AS OF YET. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR EVEN IF IT IS REPAIRED.*DT *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11234599

I HAVE MERCEDES BENZ GLA 250 YEAR 2015 AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ALREADY APPEARING IN MY DASH BOARD . I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN THIS CAR FROM HOME TO WORK WHICH IS 10-20 MILES AWAY. OTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS THAT WHEN THE WEATHER IS 30-40 DEGREES AND WILL HAVE MY HEATER IN MAX I SMELT A TERRIBLE GAS ODOR COMING FROM MY AIR VENTS

NHTSA ODI 11203129

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR AS CERTIFY PRE-OWNED; IT HAS ENCOUNTER NUMEROUS ISSUES. ONE ISSUE I DID NOT MENTION ON THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT IS THE ISSUE WITH "KEY LESS" REMOTE. THE CAR SOME TIME DOES NOT DETECT KEY LESS REMOTE DURING DRIVING SAYING "KEY NOT DETECTED" EVEN AFTER REPLACING BATTERY AND VISITED DEALER (HOUSE OF IMPORT) FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE. IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL OCCASION CAR FAIL TO RESTART WAITING ON THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE CAR IT KEPT SAYING KEY NOT DETECTED (THIS CAK HAS AUTO START/STOP FEATURE) THAT MAKE IT VERY DANGEROUS POSSIBLE CAN BE REAR ENDED BY OTHER CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11190192

WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR ABOUT A YEAR, WE ENCOUNTER NUMEROUS OCCASION THE THE "COLLISION ASSIST PLUS" HAS ENGAGED INTERMITTENTLY W/O ANY REASONABLE OBSTACLE IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN IT IS IN MOTION. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE CAR GAVE MESSAGE "COLLISION ASSIST INOPERATIVE" AND I CAN EVEN GET THE CAR IN GEAR NOT WITH MULTIPLE RESTART. LAST WEEK I WENT OUT WITH MY WIFE AND THE CAR STOP ON THE BUSY STREET ON THE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR DID "AUTO START STOP" WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND IT DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION AND I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR MANUALLY AND REENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD FILE COMPLAINT ABOUT INTERMITTENT "COLLISION ASSIST " CONDITION TO THE DEALER (HOUSE OF IMPORT, BUANA PARK, CA), THE SERVICE ADVISER SAID IT IS NORMAL FOR THE COLLISION ASSIST ACTING UP SOME TIME. I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOME SOFTWARE GREMLIN OR SOME OTHER ECU ISSUE NEED TO BE ADDRESS. IT S A SAFETY CONCERN TO KEEP DRIVING THIS CAN W/O ANY SOLUTION, I DID CONTACTED MBZ USA, THEY OFFER NO HELP NOR SOLUTION AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11190094

I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 MB GLA250 4MATIC [XXX] AND SUDDENLY 5 WARNING ALERTS POPPED ON THE DISPLAY AND THE RESPECTIVE SIGNALS TURNED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE 5 WARNINGS WERE: 4MATIC CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE, INOPERATIVE ABS, PARKING BREAK, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS INOPERATIVE AND CHECK ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HEAVY AT THE SAME TIME. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND AT THAT TIME ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE SIGNAL WAS ON. AS SOON AS I ACCELERATED THE CAR AND THE CAR CHANGED TO 2ND, ALL THE ORIGINAL LIGHTS AND WARNING TURNED ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HEAVY. I AM SHARING THIS INFORMATION BECAUSE I'VE READ MULTIPLE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THE WARRANTY OF THE CAR EXPIRED IN DECEMBER 2018 (3 MONTHS AGO) AND BACK IN NOVEMBER MY VEHICLE STAYED A COUPLE WEEKS IN GARAGE ISLA VERDE (PUERTO RICO) DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS 18,000 MILES AND I FIND THESE TYPES OF ERRORS UNBEALIVABLE SINCE IT'S AN ALMOST NEW UNIT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ODI 11187329

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WHEN IT'S IN "PARK" POSITION AND WHEN IT'S AT A RED LIGHT OR STOPPED. THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE SLOWLY WHEN IT'S AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN TURNED ON IN PARK POSITION. I TOOK MY CAR TO MB IN DALLAS (10/18) BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED TO CHECK ON THE ENGINE AND THE CAMSHAFT RECALL. AFTER PICKING UP MY CAR, THE SAME DAY, MY CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOW IT HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I HAVE BEEN TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALER ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST MONTHS TO GET THIS FIXED. IT'S ONLY 45K MILES AND I'VE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER MERCEDES CARS I'VE HAD. IT IS NOW 02/19 AND THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AGAIN. I ASK MERCEDES TO SERIOUSLY CHECK ON THIS PROBLEM IT IS DANGEROUS TO BE AT A RED LIGHT THEN SUDDENLY FEEL THE CAR ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ODI 11182527

I STARTED THE CAR AND I GOT A MESSAGE STATING THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED. THERE IS A SHORT. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS MODEL FOR THE AIR BAG, MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. THE AIR BAG HAS SHORTED OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11162549

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR SHIFTED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL AND DISPLAYED THE FOLLOWING ERROR MESSAGE: "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION STOP." I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND UPON STOPPING, THE FOLLOWING ERROR MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED: "SERVICE REQUIRED DO NOT SHIFT GEARS VISIT DEALER." I TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED IT, AND IT DROVE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 DIFFERENT TIMES: ONCE ON A SUBURBAN ROAD, ONCE IN A PARKING GARAGE, AND THREE TIMES ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI 11128815