YearToAvoid

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 ranks 3rd worst of 12 model years, with a complaint index of 82, 49 complaints, and 4 recalls. Engine problems dominate, making up 33% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 43,313 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
82/100
#3 of 12 GLA 250 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
49
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2017
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
27
24 city / 31 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other17 (35%)
  2. Engine16 (33%)
  3. Airbags8 (16%)
  4. Electrical System5 (10%)
  5. Fuel System5 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain4 (8%)
  7. Brakes3 (6%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (6%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers3 (6%)
  10. Steering2 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Vehicles vibrate and produce a rumbling noise under the hood while driving between 30 and 54 mph, felt through the steering wheel and accelerator pedal.
  • Engines stall or shut down abruptly without warning while driving, including on highways at speed.
  • Owners report a complete engine failure event where the car decelerated from 50 mph to 0 without warning.
  • Strong gasoline vapor smell noticed near the engine when checking oil or removing the oil filler cap.
  • Airbag recall repairs (campaign 17V627000) were reported as delayed due to unavailable parts, leaving affected vehicles unrepaired for over a year.
  • Rear automatic parking brakes sometimes fail to release after driving through rain or puddles, then release suddenly with a loud bang.
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2016Jan 2018Aug 2021Aug 2022Jul 2023Mar 2024Aug 2024Apr 2026
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2016 to Aug 2026; peak Sep 2023 (4).

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V854000Dec 15, 2023Structure & Body2,976 vehicles

    Structure:body:roof and pillars

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.

    Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.

  2. NHTSA 21V197000Mar 19, 2021Structure & Body15,096 vehicles

    Structure:body:roof and pillars

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.

    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 risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  3. NHTSA 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Communication

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

    Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

See all 4 recalls for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 →

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other GLA 250 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014No verdict1810—
2015Avoid10094527
2016Avoid8249427
2017Good4529926
2018Avoid91491226

All Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 a good year to buy?
No. It ranks 3rd worst out of 12 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 82 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2016 GLA 250?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 33% of complaints (16 of 49), with a median failure mileage of 43,313 miles.
Does the 2016 GLA 250 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 GLA 250, covering airbags, structure and body panels, and an emergency-call system software fault. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2016 GLA 250 compare to other years?
The 2016 model's complaint index of 82 is worse than the 2017 (45, Good) and 2020 (27, Good) model years, but better than the 2015 model year (100, Avoid).
What is fuel economy like on the 2016 GLA 250?
EPA rates the 2016 GLA 250 at 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,950.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.