I am reporting a P052E fault code related to the crankcase ventilation system on my Mercedes-Benz GLA. This is a known and widespread defect on multiple Mercedes-Benz models and is commonly covered under service bulletins and extended warranties up to 150,000 miles. My vehicle has 92,000 miles. However, Mercedes-Benz has refused coverage, stating that the GLA model is not included, despite extensive evidence that this same defect affects GLA vehicles. Numerous documented owner reports and forum discussions confirm identical failures on GLA models. This appears to be a systemic defect rather than normal wear. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this issue and require Mercedes-Benz to extend coverage and assume responsibility for repairs on affected GLA vehicles.
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 engine problems
16 complaints (31% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 43,313.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 31%
- typical mileage
- 43,313
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Engine runs fine while driving and then cuts off while coming to a stop. This happened three (3) times last week since 7/23/24. Each time it happened I was stopping at a traffic light! After the failure a warning lamp flashed something about, Do Not Change Gears. Will make appointment to have it checked out as soon as possible.
Fault code P052E71 crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. This seems to be a common issue with 4 cylinder turbo engines. Dealer charged $2500 to replace, and even after replacements system fails again within 1-2 years.
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the crankcase ventilation system had failed. The dealer determined that the engine oil separator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown Extended Warranty Coverage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,180.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes Benz GLA. The contact stated that the check engine light had appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer determined that the crankcase ventilation valve had malfunctioned which blocked the actuator. As a result, both the fuel and the oil had started to mix inside the engine which caused the ventilation valve to not close as intended. The contact was given an estimate for repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Following regular maintenance of my 2016 GLA 250 with my mechanic for the car repeatedly stalling, the mechanic discovered there is a fuel leak causing the fuel injectors and fuel rall to not get proper fuel injection. The mechanic found a manufacturer’s recall for the make, model, and year of my car. My car’s VIN# says this particular car is not affected. However, the exact issue is presenting in my car, which can cause significant engine damage. It’s believed my car, with the same make, model& year, is indeed impacted by this issue. My VIN should be considered to be included to have this recall.
I was driving on the highway and when I stopped because there was traffic my car completely cut off. Screen and display went back and then it came back on and went into neutral and when I went to shift gears and try to change into drive it would not allow me to change gears. I had to turn the car off and turn it back on. THIS WAS ON THE HIGHWAY!!! This happened 2 times on my way home. I have a 2016 Mercedes my coworker has the same vehicle but the 2015 model. She has the SAME ISSUE. Her car is in the shop now and the mechanics are trying to see what the issue may be and I have an appointment at the end of the week. I have looked this issue up and there are TONS of people reporting this issue and I cant believe there is no recall! This is beyond dangerous and someone could die because of this. My coworker brought it to my attention and if we didn't drive the same vehicle I wouldn't have looked into this. However its NOT a coincidence that we both have Mercedes same make and model that cuts off and goes into neutral when driving.
My Mercedes-Benz, 2016GLA 250 vehicle. The automatic transmission shifts into neutral while driving. It’s happened on multiple occasions and it’s very scary. This is a dangerous safety issue! I’ve seen it’s been recalled/addressed for other GLA250 model years, but not for 2016 year models. Please bring to MB USA attention. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Dec 2- filled car with gas, check engine light illuminated and then three more errors displayed on the dash. See list below. Errors displayed on dash… 1-INOPERATIVE -- SEE OPERATOR’S MANUAL (Shows ABS and skid icons) 2-COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS INOPERATIVE 3-ABS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE – SEE OWNER’S MANUAL 4-CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON Later that same day, Dec 2, we started the car but could not get it into Reverse. We shut the car off, started it again, and were able to shift into reverse and proceed. Dec 3rd- we attempted to remove and reapply the gas cap to see if engine light would go off and error messages would resolve. It did not. We did not drive the car that day. Dec 4 and Dec 5th- all above error warnings display all day. Dec 6th- We scheduled a service appt at Mercedes in Sarasota, FL for the 1st avail appt Dec 10th. We were told in writing the car could be driven until the appt and no additional issues should arise. Dec 7th- new error code appears… 5-REVERSING NOT POSSIBLE - SERVICE REQUIRED. This is when the car put our lives at risk. While driving, the car shifted itself into Nuetral. We were unable to get the car into gear as it continued to roll. Having no control of acceleration, we guided the car to the right to allow traffic to pass. We put the car in park, shut down the vehicle, wait 15 minutes, and restart. We were then able to drive forward, but WHILE MOVING, “REVERSING NOT POSSIBLE” reappeared, the car shifted itself into neutral again. We were unable to shift to DRIVE. We shut the car car down again, started it, shifted to drive, but it went into DRIVE 2 only. We drove in 2nd gear until we were safe off the road and home. We towed the car (12/7 evening) to Mercedes in Sarasota FL. Dec 8th: Service dept finds the two front wheel speed sensors failed and caused a chain reaction sequence of events. They referred to the problem as ‘minor’. This is a serious design flaw. We are lucky not to have been hurt or killed
P052E-71 The valve for crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. Was initially intermittent but seems to be getting worse. Dealer quoted ~2k to repair, which seems astronomical for a PCV valve. Common problem with these engines.
Questions about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 engine
Does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 have engine problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, 31% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 43,313 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
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).
Other 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 problems
Airbags 8Electrical 6Fuel system 6Transmission 5Driver assistance 4Brakes 3Visibility 3Acceleration 2Steering 2Lights 1
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