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2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 101owner complaints
- 4crash reports
- 1fire report
- 19%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class year on file: 101 complaints, against an average of 22 for the other 10 model years.
Every Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
The components named most often in the 101 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 101 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?11 owners · 10.9%
- Can the sunroof on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class shatter or fail?9 owners · 8.9%
- Why does my 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class stall, lose power or shut off while driving?7 owners · 6.9%
- Why does my 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class smell of fuel or gas?4 owners · 4%
Has the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAOn affected vehicles the panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof might not have been bonded correctly during a…On affected vehicles the panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof might not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair.
Risk: On affected vehicles the panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof might not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair.
Fix: Check the front fixed element of the panoramic sliding sunroof and replace if necessary.
UK DVSAVehicles with a panoramic sunroofthe polycarbonate panel may not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair
Risk: The polycarbonate panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair.
Fix: Remove the bonded panel and install a new polycarbonate panel if required.
UK DVSAElectrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
Risk: The steering column clock spring may break. This will cause warning messages to illuminate in the instrument cluster but in extreme instances it may cause the driver's airbag to deploy.
Fix: Affected vehicles will be recalled to establish sufficient grounding of the steering components
UK DVSASteering components may be insufficiently grounded
Risk: It has been determined that the steering airbag electrical components are insufficiently grounded. Failure of the steering column module clock spring could result in an inadvertent deployment of the driver airbag which may cause risk of injury to the driver and an increased risk of a potential collision.
Fix: On affected vehicles the manufacturer will fit a contact bridge to the outer race of the steering column top bearing which will provide correct grounding.
UK DVSAElectrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
Risk: The steering column clock spring may break. This will cause warning messages to illuminate in the instrument cluster but in extreme instances it may cause the driver's airbag to deploy.
Fix: Affected vehicles will be recalled to establish sufficient grounding of the steering components.
UK DVSAElectrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
Risk: The steering column clock spring may break. This will cause warning messages to illuminate in the instrument cluster but in extreme instances it may cause the driver's airbag to deploy.
Fix: Affected vehicles will be recalled to establish sufficient grounding of the steering components.
UK DVSAStarting current limiter may overload
Risk: Where the car incurs severe engine damage resulting in the engine failing to turn over (engine seizure) and if the driver repeatedly attempts to start the engine despite the engine not cranking the very high electrical current could lead to overheating of the starting current limiter and the potential for a fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter.
UK DVSALeft and right window airbags may fail to deploy as intendedYears estimated
Risk: The left and right widow airbags may not meet specification. As a result they may not deploy in the event of an accident.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace the left and right window air bags.
UK DVSAFaulty control unit may cause vehicle to perform outside specification
Risk: Where a control unit coding was updated in a workshop between 3 December 2016 and 5 December 2016 the coding may not correspond to the specification and may trigger unplanned action in the vehicle. The safety and emissions systems may not react as design intent.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and update the software in the corresponding control units.
UK DVSAVehicle may stall
Risk: A potentially faulty weld between the plate carrier and the hub of a clutch could be faulty/cracked and could fail. This can cause limp-home mode to be adopted or all drive to be lost. As a result the risk of a collision is heightened.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the dual clutch of the transmission.
UK DVSARisk of fire
Risk: The high pressure fuel lines have not been manufactured to the correct specification which over time can lead to crack formation and fuel leaking. Fuel escaping in the presence of an ignition source could lead to fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the high pressure fuel lines.
UK DVSAEngine may fail
Risk: The camshaft could break and damage the engine due to it not being manufactured to the correct specification. If the condition occurs it will lead to a sudden loss of drive thereby increasing the risk of a collision.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the intake camshaft.
UK DVSAEngine may fail
Risk: On certain petrol engines the camshafts may not have been correctly manufactured. They may fail causing engine damage and the engine to stall
Fix: On affected vehicles replace camshafts.
UK DVSAEngine may fail
Risk: The camshaft could break and damage the engine due to it not being manufactured to the correct specification. If the condition occurs it will lead to a sudden loss of drive thereby increasing the risk of a collision.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the exhaust camshaft.
UK DVSAFront passenger airbag may not deploy
Risk: Certain fuses in the passenger's footwell may not have been fitted correctly. This may adversely affect the instrument cluster windscreen wipers and the passenger seat occupancy recognition system. In certain conditions this may cause the passenger's air bag not to deploy in an accident.
Fix: On affected vehicles check fuses and if necessary replace fuse box.
UK DVSAOil may leak
Risk: On certain diesel engines the 'O' ring may not have been produced to the correct specification. This may allow oil to leak and contaminate the environment. If excessive oil is lost engine damage may occur.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace the chain tensioner sealing ring.
EU Safety GateThe polycarbonate roof panel located between the windscreen and the panoramic roof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle…The polycarbonate roof panel located between the windscreen and the panoramic roof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair. In such cases, the adhesive bonding could gradually deteriorate and the panel could become detached from the vehicle, posing a risk to other road users.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe steering column is not sufficiently earthed.As a result, in the event of an electrostatic discharge, the driver's airbag may be triggered when not required. This could cause an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateFollowing the update of the control unit coding, the coding parameters of the control unit could be defective.This could give rise to various unplanned reactions in the vehicle: the wrong airbag could be triggered in the event of an accident, the airbag control unit may not recognise the belt buckle status, the engine control unit could be coded with a false maximum speed or various assistance systems may not function.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDeformation of the casing of the rear lefthand sidebags could cause them to be blocked or become damaged when triggered in the event of an…Deformation of the casing of the rear lefthand sidebags could cause them to be blocked or become damaged when triggered in the event of an impact.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateCracks may form in the high-pressure fuel pipes leading to a fuel leak and a vehicle fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateOwing to the incorrect installation of fuses, various vehicle functions might fail.These include the passenger presence detector for the passenger seat, the status display for the passenger airbag, the instrument cluster and the windscreen wipers. This could lead to an accident or an increased risk of injury for the passenger in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe gasket seal for the engine's chain tensioner may display incorrect settling behaviour.Over time, this may result in the chain tensioner detaching from the threaded hole on the cylinder head and the leakage of engine oil. The loss of large amounts of engine oil may contaminate the road, leading to a possible hazard for traffic following behind.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2015, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class owners report?
12 of the 101 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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…
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.
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 NHTSA 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…
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…
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.
I have a 2015 Mercedes benz GLA 250 showing code P052E There’s a TSB (MC‑10241531‑0001) and (LI01.20-P-076894 )covering intake‑line assemblies on similar M270‑engine models. Based on these two service bulletin kindly assist with extended emissions warranty
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle was lagging with a loud rumbling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal excessively to stop the vehicle from hesitating. The failure had become more persistent. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to open, as well. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not…
Good Afternoon, the status of my vehicle is simply UNKNOWN. I purchased my vehicle on the 26th last year of January. That same day I drove it back home my car was jerking. So I went back the following day to see if I could get into another vehicle because this one was malfunctioning they didn’t want to do anything for me. I tried so many different options to get out of this car I had a few scares driving this car the week of ownership. About sis times my car cut off completely during traffic and I have some recorded videos. Theirs a leakage somewhere I can fill up my gas tank to full and drive…
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the collision assists warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed PVC valve. Additionally, the transmission assist needed service due to overheating. The collision assist warning light was reset. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred, and the collision assist, and the check engine warning lights…
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…
Had an update on the software to control collision prevention on the car, and soon afterward it began to deploy at certain spots without any other car in front for at least 50 feet. Took it back to the M-B Seattle dealer and after 4 weeks of investigation, I was told that the matter is exterior to the car and that the car performs as intended. T still drive the car and it still gives me warnings of impending to engage the collision detection braking system. I don't feel very comfortable driving it in the city.
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2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class: questions owners ask
Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class; the most common categories were engine (31, 30.7%), power train (15, 14.9%), air bags (13, 12.9%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 4 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 8 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
Across 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (30.7% of complaints), power train (14.9% of complaints), air bags (12.9% of complaints), electrical system (12.9% of complaints), structure (12.9% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
11 of the 101 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (10.9%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11670346, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Can the sunroof on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class shatter or fail?
9 of the 101 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (8.9%) describe the sunroof or panoramic roof shattering, exploding or failing. One owner wrote: "Panoramic Roof exploded without any outside influences causing this...many on your radar...dangerous...not sure why the NHTSA has not ordered a recall...there have been thousands of these same issues across many manufacturers." (NHTSA complaint 11556301, November 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
7 of the 101 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (6.9%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Rear differential has failed/malfunctioned. The vehicle is available upon request. It is a road safety issue as it will stall/ hesitate when accelerating and has a jerking effect. It has been confirmed by an independent service center." (NHTSA complaint 11594191, June 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class smell of fuel or gas?
4 of the 101 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (4%) describe a fuel or gasoline smell, or a fuel leak. One owner wrote: "Car smell like fuel possibly fuel injectors or fuel line… recall on 2016-2021 models but 2015 having same issue Blind spot assist says inoperative Mercedes changed sensors multiple times still says inoperative" (NHTSA complaint 11629346, December 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own GLA-Class
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2015 only.