YearToAvoid

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

82/100

#3 most-complained of 12 GLA 250 years

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

NHTSA lists 49 complaints, 4 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 82 for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, ranking it 3rd worst out of 12 model years. Engine problems account for 33% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other GLA 250 years.

Complaints
49
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
27
24 city / 31 hwy

Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Owners report vibration and a rumbling noise under the hood while driving between 30 and 54 mph, felt through the steering wheel and accelerator pedal.
  • Owners describe the engine stalling or shutting down abruptly without warning while driving, including on highways, sometimes leading to complete engine failure.
  • Owners report rear automatic parking brakes failing to release after driving through rain or puddles, releasing suddenly with a loud bang.
  • Owners describe long delays getting replacement airbag parts for the Takata recall, with some vehicles going over a year without an available remedy.
  • Owners report strong gasoline vapor smell near the engine when checking oil or removing the oil filler cap.
  • Owners describe lane departure warning, blind spot assist, and emergency braking systems failing simultaneously, with the issue recurring after dealer service.
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 complaints: complaints filed per month6Apr 2016Jan 2018Aug 2021Aug 2022Jul 2023Mar 2024Aug 2024Apr 2026
67 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2016 to Aug 2026; peak Sep 2021 (6).

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
2017Good3629926
2018Avoid91491226

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

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 GLA 250 ranks 3rd worst among 12 model years, with a Complaint Index of 82 and 49 complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other GLA 250 years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2016 GLA 250?
Engine problems are the top issue, making up 33% of complaints (16 of 49), with a median mileage at failure of 43,313 miles for engine complaints.
Does the 2016 GLA 250 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 GLA 250, covering structure and body panels, an emergency call software fault, and airbag grounding issues; 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 higher than the 2017 (36), 2020 (27), and 2023 (45) model years, but lower than the 2015 model year's index of 100.

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.