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

Sunroof glass exploded without warning while driving at highway speed. Glass shards poured throughout the vehicle including on the driver, potentially putting the vehicle and other vehicles in danger.

NHTSA ODI 11748081

Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 (VIN: [XXX] ). On October 28, 2025, while driving southbound on Interstate 5 near the Zamora Exit in California at approximately 8:15 a.m., the fully closed moonroof of my vehicle spontaneously shattered. There was no impact, debris, or external cause, and the vehicle was operated under normal conditions. The incident was extremely frightening and created a serious safety hazard while driving at freeway speed. I began shaking uncontrollably and immediately called my manager to report that I could not come into work due to shock. I also contacted my mother to help calm me down. Vehicle Details: VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 90,XXX miles Purchase: Approximately 5 years ago at Fairfield Mercedes-Benz dealership Condition: No prior repairs to the moonroof, no aftermarket modifications I have documented the incident with photos and video. I have reported this to Mercedes-Benz Customer Care and my insurance provider (USAA). Additionally, I have reached out to Washington Law Offices, who are currently handling a class action lawsuit regarding this issue. I am submitting this complaint to formally notify NHTSA of the dangerous defect and to request that the agency investigate this potential safety issue affecting Mercedes-Benz vehicles with panoramic or sunroof systems. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please confirm receipt of this complaint and advise on any additional steps I should take. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11696092

While driving the vehicle on the highway the front panel immediately in front of the panoramic roof was ripped off. The glue holding the panel in place was defective and is a known issue that currently has a recall out issued by Mercedes Benz. However the vin of our vehicle does not fall under the recall per my conversation with a MB rep. Mercedes Benz knows that this is a problem and will not add this vehicle to the recall. The glue holding the panel down is known to become weakened due to sun exposure. No lights on the dash are associated with this issue. The panel could have ripped off and hit a vehicle traveling behind us and caused an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11487062

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