repaired · 2025 Q4
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 51 owner complaints about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-854 the manufacturer reports only 41% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 29, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has problems
51 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
10Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
10Engine
6Fuel/propulsion system
6Air bags
6Power train
5Wheels2 crash/fire/injury
4Structure1 crash/fire/injury
3Visibility
2Back over prevention
138 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 1 |
| Engine | 10 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Wheels | 5 | 2 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 2 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 13 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Communication: auto crash notification
Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Steering
Risk. A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the…
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q3
Communication
Risk. A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying…
repaired · 2023 Q4
Communication: auto crash notification
Risk. Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk. The seatbelt for a passenger seated in the rear middle seating position might not be properly secured, which could increase the risk of an injury in the event…
repaired · 2020 Q3
Seats
Risk. If the upper anchorage point is covered, the child seat will not be able to be secured as intended in the center position of the rear seat, increasing the risk…
repaired · 2020 Q3
Air bags: side/window
Risk. Water leaking into the vehicle from around the sunroof may affect the electrical contacts of the window air bag, potentially causing the window air bag to not…
repaired · 2019 Q4
Tether: connector/clip
Risk. If the top tether anchorage point is missing, a child seat will not be able to be properly installed in the center rear seat position, increasing the risk of…
repaired · 2019 Q1
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. Reduced headlight range can affect visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Best & worst years
2018 vs. every other GLA 250 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the GLA 250 median. How we score
'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What GLA 250 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
After the vehicle's main battery fully discharged and the vehicle was jump-started, multiple SRS / driver airbag warnings appeared immediately, the horn and steering wheel controls stopped working, and a clicking noise developed in the steering column when turning the wheel. None of these symptoms…
The vehicle experienced a sudden, total communication network crash on [XXX] the vehicle simultaneously triggered cascading critical safety system faults including “ inoperable” messages for the SOS system, Supplemental Restraint System ( SRS) and antilock brake system(ABS) along with check engine…
My vehicle has been taken to the Mercedes dealership multiple times from 2/24/25 -12/14/25 (10 Mths) for the following issues and still no resolution to the problem. Each time they say they've fixed the issues we get the car home and end up bringing it back a couple days later for the exact same…
Own a 2018 GLA 250?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.