Check a VIN

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 body problems

12 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 38,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
13%
typical mileage
38,000
crashes
1
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Body
    9
  • Body: roof and pillars
    1
  • Body: door
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 body problems in other years

20152018201920202021

Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 body

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Sunroof shattered 5

Related recalls

Structure: body: roof and pillarsReported December 15, 2023 · 2,976 vehicles affected
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 pillarsReported March 19, 2021 · 15,096 vehicles affected
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

Related investigations

Front Roof Panel DetachmentOpened January 8, 2021, closed October 14, 2021

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

What 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Body, Suspension · PA

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.

Filed Nov 20, 2025 · Body · 98,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Oct 24, 2025 · Body · VA

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.

Filed Aug 19, 2024 · Body, Visibility · 120,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to close completely as needed. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that a plastic part of the roof panel had detached. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the right and left roof guides, motor glass, and headliners. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V854000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Body · VA

The panoramic sunroof will not open on one side rendering the sunroof unusable. this problem is happening often on this Mercedes model. Looks like Mercedes used plastic guide to move the sunroof back and forward and if you take a bump while driving with the sunroof on the tilted position it will break the plastic tracks rendering the sunroof unusable. this is a time-consuming fix because the interior of the car needs to come out to completely remove the sunroof and replace the damage part with the same original part that will break again under the same circumstances.

Filed Jan 9, 2023 · Airbags, Body · NJ

Mercedes no longer supports the sos ( tel-aid) system, so this system no longer works...each time you start the car, the sos inoperative warning light is on, and it blocks other safety features ( speedometer etc..). You have to reset the light each time you get in the car. Without the support of the system there is no emergency alert theft tracking ,airbag deployment sent to MB etc etc. Mercedes no longer services this feature, and this is one of the reasons we bought this car. It's a tremendous safety concern. Even though there are dealer bulletins about this, there is no fix. All these cars should be purchased back by MB. I'm uncomfortable driving a car that could be involved in a collision, and the car not notifying MB, or the police

Filed Oct 30, 2022 · Body, Visibility · VA

Panoramic sunroof slider shoes failing, being cracked and stuck in the railing, causing a sunroof malfunction. The main concern of danger is that during closing the sunroof, with a lack of support glass bangs down coming in contact with some metal parts, risk of being shattered and cause injury to passengers. In my specific car, somehow all 4 shoe sliders failed on a car with less than 50,000 miles. While researching, the issue is raised by many other owners and appears to be a wide spread systemic flaw. https://www.glaowners.com/threads/shoe-on-rail-of-panoramic-sunroof-broke.26716/page-5

Filed Mar 1, 2022 · Body, Visibility · NY

Sunroof shoes have deteriorated and panoramic roof has become loose off the rails. This is a highly disturbing erosion putting drivers and other vehicles on the road in danger. I have found hundreds of reported cases of the same issue with no recall in place.

Filed Sep 10, 2020 · Body · 38,000 miles · NV

I was driving down rancho blvd in las vegas under 15 MPH winds on tues and the spoiler cover flew off/spoiler

Filed Nov 28, 2016 · Body · 21,000 miles · NY

Back door was ajar and there was no warning display to state the door was not closed completely. I was able to pull out of my driveway and the warning did not display until I was driving. Safety issue especially with small children in the back seat.

Questions about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 body

Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 have body problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the body of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 38,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 body?

Yes, 2 recalls: 23V854000, 21V197000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Other 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems

Engine 27Transmission 14Airbags 12Fuel system 12Electrical 11Driver assistance 8Visibility 8Brakes 5Acceleration 3Steering 3Suspension 3Lights 1Seat belts 1Tires 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history