2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic

Routine

Owners filed 3 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 1 time.

Most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic problems

3 of the 3 complaints (100%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine3
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Lock26V481000
Filed Jul 24, 2026310,667 vehiclesMercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.

Risk. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Sep 19, 2026PA

On 7/17/26, while driving at highway speed, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle lost power and shut off. I safely pulled over. It would not restart; a red battery warning displayed. Towed to Mercedes-Benz of Wilkes-Barre, RO #8388432. Dealer found battery severely discharged, replaced it, then found engine would not turn by hand. Diagnosis: internal engine damage/seized; recommended full engine replacement, est. $20,128, on a 2021 GLA 250 with 82,137 miles. MBUSA TSB MC-10241534-0001 (8/4/2023) extends the emission warranty on the exhaust valve assembly (cylinder head, exhaust valves, valve seat rings/guides) on the M260 2.0L turbo engine from 4yr/50k mi to 15yr/150k mi, covering MY2021-2022 GLA 250. My vehicle falls within this window. The bulletin's defect (valve guide/seat wear causing misfire and MIL activation) is consistent with the check engine light observed at failure. I have repeatedly asked MBUSA in writing to confirm whether the DTCs referenced in this bulletin were pulled/reviewed, and whether my case was cross-checked against the bulletin before any offer. MBUSA has not provided a written response. Reps made verbal offers ($2,100 toward the engine; separately $800.20 "service credit" equal to a battery charge that does not appear to have been performed), and on one call described the bulletin as "only a sensor issue," inconsistent with its own text. Filing to document a possible unaddressed engine defect on a GLA 250 within this TSB's covered mode

Engine
Filed Apr 8, 2026KS

I recently purchased my vehicle with under 30k miles in July of 2026. Not long after my purchase my car began roughly idling with a blinking check engine light, and soon after the engine began misfiring. This also cause loss of power when attempting to accelerate creating dangerous conditions in high traffic/fast paced areas. After lots of research I found several reports of owners with cylinder failures. The dealership only responded to fixing the issue after calling them out directly on the issue.

Engine
Filed Feb 5, 2026NY

Component/System: Engine cooling and lubrication system. Coolant was found mixing with engine oil (milky oil), indicating internal engine failure (I was informed it could be oil cooler/housing, thermostat, head gasket, or related components). Vehicle is currently at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership and available for inspection. The front left inner lining of my front break pad also "failed" inspection and the other 3 front break pads say "caution" and I never received a notification or warning about my breaks. Safety Risk: Coolant contamination of engine oil can cause sudden engine failure or loss of power without warning, creating a serious safety risk while driving, especially at highway speeds. There was no indication that engine oil was mixing with coolant, check engine light failed to illuminate/ no diagnostic warning illuminated. The condition was discovered incidentally during routine maintenance, which prevented any opportunity for corrective action prior to the failure. Confirmation: The condition was confirmed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership during routine maintenance. The dealership stated the failure was not caused by owner misuse.Inspection: Vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership (manufacturer representative). No police or insurance inspection occurred, as there was no accident or external event. Warnings/Symptoms: No check engine light or diagnostic warning ever illuminated. The issue was discovered incidentally afte

All 3 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2021
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20250100Routine
20240200Routine
20230100Routine
20221100Routine
2021 — this page3100Routine

Compare every GLA 250 4Matic year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 24, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.