2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class reliability
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has 23 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 4 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 10 GLA-Class years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
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0
6
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (8 of 23), then Electrical system (4) and Fuel and propulsion system (3). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 2 that report an injury.
The 2020 GLA-Class has 9 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2022 has 4 complaints, 1 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (23 total)
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Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V481000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local…"
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"On 7/17/26, while driving at highway speed, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle lost power and shut off. I safely pulled over. It would not restart; a red battery warning displayed. Towed to Mercedes-Benz…"
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"See attached document for complaint"
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"Cowl vent grille openings allowed normal environmental debris to accumulate, plug drainage and divert water onto electrical components and potentially result in a fire if not addressed. Some of the debris passes through…"
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"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…"
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class SUV 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class SUV FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA complaints filed on 2022 GLA vehicles name the engine and forward-collision avoidance among the components reported.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class reliable?
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has 23 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 4 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 10 GLA-Class years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (8 of 23), then Electrical system (4) and Fuel and propulsion system (3). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 2 that report an injury.
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2020 GLA-Class has 9 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2022 has 4 complaints, 1 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.
Has the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class with NHTSA.
What oil does a Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 take?
X156 GLA 250 lists 0W-30/0W-40/5W-30/5W-40 (~5.9 qt); H247 GLA 250 lists 0W-20/0W-30/0W-40 (~5.8 qt). Verify the MB sheet on the container.
What components show up most in NHTSA complaints on the GLA?
On 2016 filings the engine is named most often, with air bags and the electrical system also among top components; 2022 filings also name the engine and forward-collision avoidance.
Which GLA generations does this site track?
X156 (2015-2020) and H247 (2021-on).