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2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Gas Wagon

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Specs & fuel economyRecallsComplaintsCrash ratings
F
Safety Signal
50 / 100
FSafety Signal · 50 / 100
9Recalls · NHTSA campaigns
21Complaints · owner reports
Crash rating · NHTSA overall
28 mpgFuel economy · best combined

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas wagon with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the GLA250, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 21 complaints, most often about engine.

Specs & fuel economy (EPA)

ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
GLA250GasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo253428$2,750
GLA250 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243327$2,850
AMG GLA35 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo232925$3,100
AMG GLA45 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202723$3,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.

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Recalls (9)

Latches/Locks/Linkages

high
310,667 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. 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.

NHTSA campaign 26V481000 · reported Jul 24, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Equipment

high
42,742 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A220, 2020 CLA250, GLB250, AMG A35, AMG CLA45, AMG CLA35, and 2021 GLA250 vehicles. The vehicles may not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads. In addition, information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk: Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install an inspection gauge and provide supplemental owner's manual information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign 23V732000 · reported Nov 1, 2023 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Electrical System

minor
242,722 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.

NHTSA campaign 22V365000 · reported May 20, 2022 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Back Over Prevention

minor
126,443 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.

NHTSA campaign 22V232000 · reported Apr 8, 2022 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

high
4 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 AMG CLA 35 and 2021 GLA 250 vehicles. The rear brake caliper housing fasteners may be loose, which can reduce brake performance or cause rear brake components to detach from the vehicle.

Risk: Reduced brake performance can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, detached brake components can create a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash for other drivers.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners on the rear brake caliper housings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign 22V125000 · reported Mar 4, 2022 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Electrical System

minor
343,191 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.

NHTSA campaign 21V354000 · reported May 14, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Air Bags

high
36 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain GLA250 vehicles. The ground connection for the front passenger air bag may not be mounted properly, which could result in an inadvertent deployment.

Risk: Inadvertent air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury for an occupant in the front passenger seat, and increase the possibility of a vehicle crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ground connection for the passenger air bag and correct it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020037.

NHTSA campaign 21V102000 · reported Feb 22, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Communication

moderate
67 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.

Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.

NHTSA campaign 21V072000 · reported Feb 12, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Electrical System

minor
1,292,258 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

NHTSA campaign 21V058000 · reported Feb 5, 2021 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Owner complaints

21 complaints filed

1 involved a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.

Filed by year — 2021: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 5

Most-cited components

  • Engine — 7
  • Unknown Or Other — 5
  • Electrical System — 4
  • Fuel/Propulsion System — 3
  • Back Over Prevention — 2
“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…”Apr 8, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“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 …”Feb 5, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Twice now, my husband is putting groceries in the back of the vehicle and the top closes on him and this last time, hit him hard in the head. This is a safety issue, what can we do??”Dec 23, 2024 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other GLA-Class model years

A

2026 GLA-Class

1 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2025 GLA-Class

1 recalls · 4 complaints

B

2024 GLA-Class

2 recalls · 2 complaints

A

2023 GLA-Class

1 recalls · 8 complaints

B

2022 GLA-Class

2 recalls · 4 complaints

D

2020 GLA-Class

5 recalls · 9 complaints

F

2019 GLA-Class

11 recalls · 29 complaints

F

2018 GLA-Class

12 recalls · 49 complaints

F

2017 GLA-Class

9 recalls · 33 complaints

C

2016 GLA-Class

4 recalls · 52 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 42728, 42730, 43059, 43572). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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