During an inspection, an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership discovered severe corrosion and perforation, including holes, in the rear subframe of my 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA. There were no warning lights or messages alerting us to the condition before it was discovered. The dealership confirmed that the subframe requires replacement and estimated the repair at approximately $6,000. The vehicle has approximately 140,000 miles. The rear subframe is a structural component that supports suspension components. Its advanced corrosion and perforation create concern that it could weaken or fail while the vehicle is being driven, potentially affecting vehicle stability and control. The vehicle and affected component are available for inspection upon request, and photographs of the corrosion and holes are available. Mercedes-Benz USA was notified of the problem but has not agreed to cover the repair. Mercedes-Benz has issued a 20-year/unlimited-mile extended warranty for corrosion with perforation of rear subframes on several other Mercedes-Benz models, but the GLA is not currently included. I am reporting this because the same type of premature structural subframe corrosion appears to be occurring in this vehicle and may present a safety defect affecting other GLA owners.
The worst 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine27
- Transmission14
- Airbags12
- Body12
- Fuel system12
- Electrical11
- Driver assistance8
- Visibility8
- Brakes5
- Acceleration3
- Steering3
- Suspension3
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Check engine light 16Stalling 7Sunroof shattered 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 mention
P052E 6
Recalls 5
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- 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 the federal safety agency recall number 21V‑197.
Recall number 23V854000 · Recall details
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V197000 · Recall details
Communication
- What is wrong
- 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:
- 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.
Recall number 19V787000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
- Risk
- If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑877‑496‑3691.
Recall number 17V627000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2015 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, and 2016 SLK300 roadster vehicles manufactured July 17, 2015, to August 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have intake or exhaust camshafts whose welds may fail and possibly cause engine damage.
- Risk
- Engine damage may result in a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected camshafts, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 9, 2015. The recall began on December 23, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. Mercedes-Benz's number for this recall is 2015100006.
Recall number 15V662000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Defect investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
Front Roof Panel Detachment
On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the federal safety agency Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adhesive, site preparation, and installation of a replacement panel with new adhesive.The consumer complaints that prompted the opening of PE21-001 all described detachments of front roof panels that had been replaced after the vehicle was put into service.Mercedes' internal investigation identified a broader scope of affected vehicles (2014-2020 CLA, GLA, C, S, GLC, and GLE class) and found the following potential service procedure- related causes of front roof panel detachments:- Improper surface pretreatments such as the use of the wrong primer or cleaner or scoring of the surface; or - Use of the incorrect adhesive.These conditions lead to a front roof panel bond that, even if sound at the time of repair, cannot maintain its strength over time and environmental exposure.Mercedes updated its service and parts ordering systems to reinforce the proper use of specified kits and procedures via webinars, shop foreman meetings, and explicit reference to the risks incurred by diverging from the repair procedures. Mercedes is also furnishing parts ordering assistance, and will hold dealerships accountable for improper repairs.ODI's analysis of the ten complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and MBUSA's complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for PE21-001 identified a total of 57 non-duplicative reports alleging incidents in which the front roof panel detached from the vehicle while in motion. Included within the 57 reports are incidents where consumers state the panel detached ...and flew off into traffic.On March 19, 2021, Mercedes notified the federal safety agency that it would recall subject vehicles with front roof panels known to have been replaced after the original sale of the vehicle. In total, the recall (designated as Recall 21V197) covers 15,099 vehicles that were ever registered in the United States. Based on Recall 21V197 and the remedy implemented by Mercedes, further investigation does not appear to be warranted at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at under the following ODI identification numbers: 11376425, 11352686, 11351629, 11349158, 11341541, 11337594, 11324100, 11311591, 11222127, 11404183
PE21001
Technical service bulletins for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 106
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Visibility/wiper
- Engine
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
- Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Intermittent shift feel or thud/clunk noise perceived, such as a brief jerk or transmission reaction...
- A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially...
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed,...
- The customer requests deactivation of the N112/9 HERMES communication module Note: Deactivation of the...
- After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the...
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 25 | 34 | 28 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 24 | 31 | 27 |
What 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I came out from work. Got in my car and started it and went to make a three-point turn to go the opposite direction on a quiet back street in the airbag deployed halfway through and blew up in my face, causing my hands to be hurt and difficulty with breathing.
Collision Prevention Assist Plus Inoperative Light on the dashboard it appears often and beep I am not sure and why
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the sunroof panel was tilted on one side and fractured. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon researching the failure, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN for the failure. The dealer provided an unknown diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the roof panel had detached and was tilted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an estimate for the repair was provided. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure), but the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear suspension collapsed. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, the vehicle swerved into the next lane. The contact stated that there were no other vehicles nearby during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with frame corrosion. The contact was informed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Mercedes repair shop inspected this car and stated that there is rear-subframe rusting and corrosion. Repair shop states that this is a safety issue. I took it into Mercedes dealer who stated that this VIN is not covered by a 20-year, unlimited-mile rear-subframe warranty (Feb–Mar 2023) for specific models (C/E/GLK/CLS/SLK/SLC/SL). Mercedes extended the warranty on the models where they saw the most repeat failures, in a way that addresses the worst cases (holes) while controlling scope and liability—not an admission of a universal defect across all lines (e.g., GLA), which is why my VIN isn’t in the program.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had progressed. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P052E71; was retrieved. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Check engine light on my 2015 MB GLA250 4matic came on and the error is "P052E PCV Regulator Valve Performance". There is a recall for other MB vehicle with the same engine. I believe the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 and other models with the same engine should be included in the recall.
Compare the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
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Questions about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 reliable?
Owners have filed 94 complaints about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, 3.2 times a typical GLA 250 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 year score?
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 scores 29 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?
Engine and cooling, with 27 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles. Next is transmission (14).
How many recalls does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 have?
5 recalls, covering structure, communication and air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 15V662000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 have bad engine?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 model years with the most engine complaints are 2015 (27 complaints), 2016 (16 complaints) and 2018 (12 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 get?
Official estimates for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 range from 27 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 25 city and 34 highway.
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