YearToAvoid

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

27/100

#9 most-complained of 12 GLA 250 years

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

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has 9 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 27, ranking 9th worst out of 12 model years. It carries a Good verdict relative to other GLA 250 years, with 5 recalls and no reported crashes or fires.

Complaints
9
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26.5
23 city / 32 hwy

Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other3 (33%)
  2. Electrical System2 (22%)
  3. Engine2 (22%)
  4. Fuel System2 (22%)
  5. Steering2 (22%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain2 (22%)
  7. Lane Departure1 (11%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (11%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (11%)

What owners report

  • Vehicle failed to start via the cell phone app, then stalled in traffic with multiple dashboard warning lights and the SOS system activating.
  • Steering wheel reportedly lost power assist while driving on the freeway, occurring more than once.
  • Vehicle described as lunging or jerking forward unexpectedly during driving despite repeated dealer visits.
  • Rear differential began shuddering and driving poorly, with owners describing premature mechanical wear.
  • Check engine light illuminated with a loud rumbling sound at 35-40 mph, later diagnosed as failed fuel injectors at 86,000 miles.
  • Blind spot assist system reportedly failed to alert during a lane change involving a bicyclist.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 complaints: complaints filed per month5Jan 2020Oct 2022Mar 2024Sep 2024Oct 2024Jun 2025Aug 2025Aug 2026
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2020 to Aug 2026; peak Oct 2024 (5).

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V365000May 20, 2022Electrical System242,722 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Electrical system:software

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

    Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.

  2. NHTSA 21V961000Dec 13, 2021Fuel System139 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.

  3. 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 →

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
32 MPG
Combined
26.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,025
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.

2020 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
2018Avoid91491226
2019Caution73291126
2020Good279526.5
2021Caution5518927.5
2022No verdict94227

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

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 reliable?
NHTSA lists 9 complaints for the 2020 GLA 250, giving it a complaint index of 27 and a Good verdict compared to other GLA 250 model years. It ranks 9th worst out of 12 years tracked.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 GLA 250?
Owner complaints are spread evenly across Electrical System, Engine, Fuel System, Steering, and Transmission & Powertrain, each accounting for 22% of complaints. No crashes, fires, or deaths were reported.
Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 GLA 250, covering the Electrical System, Fuel System, and Structure & Body, including a fuel rail and fuel injector replacement and communication module software updates.
How does the 2020 GLA 250 compare to other years?
The 2020 GLA 250 has a complaint index of 27, much lower than 2015 (100), 2018 (91), and 2016 (82), which carry Avoid verdicts. Only 2022 and 2024 have lower indexes among the years with data.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 GLA 250?
The EPA rates the 2020 GLA 250 at 26.5 mpg combined (23 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025.

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.