What 49 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-benz GLA

I was driving the car at about 70 mph on an interstate highway during "rush hour" traffic when the Electronic Stabilization icon flashed on the dashboard screen and the car began to decelerate. I pressed on the accelerator pedal but the car continued to coast. A second or two later the dashboard screen flashed a warning stating something like "Brake assist activated" and the vehicle began to aggressively brake. I was in the middle lane of the interstate with vehicles around me travelling at 65 to 75 miles per hour and I could see a car rapidly approaching me from behind. It was apparent to me that my vehicle was going to come to a rapid stop in the middle of a busy interstate highway and that I was going to be struck from behind by one or more cars travelling at a high rate of speed. I did not think that I would survive such an impact and checked the right hand lane and noted no vehicles. Since all I could do with the car at that point was steer, I pulled my car into the right hand lane, attempting to avoid an inevitable high speed rear end collision. Unfortunately by that time my vehicle was still braking and travelling at a relatively low speed and was struck in the right rear area by another vehicle that was travelling at a much higher speed. Fortunately no one was injured in this crash, but there was extensive damage to both vehicles. I had not previously experienced this type of malfunction of the emergency collision avoidance system but on reviewing Mercedes Benz owners' blogs it is clear that this is not an isolated occurrence. I note that the owners of other car manufacturers have also experienced issues similar to mine, although most of them occurred in less dangerous situations and did not result in a crash. I believe that this "safety" system is flawed and placed my life, and the lives of others, in grave danger, much like the Boeing 737 Max issue, and that a recall and investigation is needed to prevent fatalities resulting from their malfunction.

NHTSA ODI 11451776

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250 EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L 400 TIRES, SIZE: 235/50R18 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, CHUNKS OF TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM THE TIRES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. CARMAX (8611 S LA CIENEGA BLVD, INGLEWOOD, CA 90301, (310) 568-9272) WAS INFORMED, BUT UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,580. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI 11208088

YOU WOULD ALWAYS NEED TO THINK AND SEARCH WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO INVEST YOUR MONEY REGARDLESS OF CAR BRAND NAME... YES, NON OF THE (8) AIRBAGS EQUIPPED IN MY BRAND NEW 2018 CAR, AS CLAIMED BY MERCEDES BENZ (DISTRIBUTED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CAR), ALONG WITH THE MODERN SOPHISTICATED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY AS CLAIMED, HAS BEEN ACTIVATED/DEPLOYED DURING THAT CAR ACCIDENT TO PREVENT SEVERE PAIN FOR MY WIFE WHO WAS RUSHED THAT DAY TO A HOSPITAL FOR INTENSIVE MEDICAL CARE. AFTER THEIR ENGINEERING CREW INVESTIGATIONS, MB USA COMPANY PROVIDES RIDICULOUS AND UNPROFESSIONAL EXPLANATIONS ON WHY AIRBAGS WHERE NOT ACTIVATED/DEPLOYED DURING THE ACCIDENT, WHICH WAS ALMOST ABOUT CAUSING THE CAR TO BE FLIPPED OVER. I'M LEFT NOW FOR PAYING SOAR MEDICAL EXPENSES AND CAR REPAIR COST.

NHTSA ODI 11155898

AT 1:10 AM THE 2018 MERCEDES BENZ GLA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN USED IN OVER 6 HOURS. THE CAR HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS LAST SERVICED BY MB OF COCONUT CREEK ONE MONTH EARLIER FOR THE ROUTINE 10K SERVICE. THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE CAR WAS ONCE THE AIR-CONDITIONING FAILED TO WORK. I BELIEVE THE MB DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A FAULTY RELAY. THE CAR WAS ONLY SERVICED BY MB AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. THE ENSUING FIRE CONSUMED MY GARAGE AND DESTROYED MY HOUSE. EVENTUALLY THE FIRE HIT OUR FUSE BOX CUTTING THE POWER TO THE HOME. THE LOSS OF ELECTRICITY WOKE ME UP. I HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AND INVESTIGATED. I SAW MY HOUSE ON FIRE AND WOKE EVERYONE UP AND WE ESCAPED UNHARMED. REPRESENTATIVES FROM MERCEDES AND MY HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE WILL BE CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION OF DECEMBER 5TH AT 9:00 AM AT MY HOME AT 21311 FALLS RIDGE WAY, BOCA RATON FL 33428

NHTSA ODI 11152194