2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 10%of 51 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, 10% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission from drive well sometimes shift to neutral while it is at a stand still usually waiting for a light to turn green, after which it takes its time to shift back into drive. While this happened a warning light appeared malfunction take straight to dealer. Yesterday seems as if ABS kicked in while driving, threw me into the steering wheel than stopped shaking within 1-2 sec, and let me accelerate off. Was passing in an individual at the time. Don’t know what to make of it.”
NHTSA complaint #11610643, filed 2024-08“The vehicle change's gears and automatically switch to neutral while driving. I almost had a major accident on the interstate. This happened several times and the last time it happened was on September 23rd. The first time the incident happened I was told that it was a sensor in the car and was charged $700 and 4 days later it happened again. I took the car in again and now I am being charged for a new valve body in the transmission and a battery replaced aux battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #11546542, filed 2023-09“Rear differential failed at 55,000 miles. Mercedes-Benz of Lafayette IN last had possession of the part. In a high-speed turn, this could result in loss of control of the vehicle. The differential was replaced at the owner's expense, and the failed part was left with the dealership. I am aware of numerous reports of premature rear differential failure in this model (after the fact). There was an occasional thunking noise during turns that the driver (my son) did not think anything of. The vehicle has been meticulously maintained. …”
NHTSA complaint #11549872, filed 2023-10“The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while at a traffic light the vehicle stalled and shifted into neutral. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V627000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted but the contact was unable to schedule an appointment. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 101,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #11494864, filed 2022-11, 101,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-250. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped at a traffic light or a stop sign, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral(N) with the neutral(N) indicator light illuminated. The driver turned off and restarted the vehicle and shifted back into drive(D). The vehicle was scheduled for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #11774126, filed 2026-10Related service bulletins
- 11037211Aug 29, 2026Complaint Intermittent shift feel or thud/clunk noise perceived, such as a brief jerk or transmission reaction during certain driving situations. May be most noticeable when…
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11026832Dec 19, 2025Complaint Oil residue in connector of transmission control unit in dual-clutch transmission models 724.0 and 724.1. Cause As part of the production process, the electrohydraulic…
- 11025648Nov 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11022045Aug 5, 2025Complaint Customer complaints regarding automatic transmission 724.1 (8FDCT & 8FDCT hybrid) For faster, more effective and more targeted diagnosis, Intelligent Predictive Repair…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11010818Nov 20, 2024Complaint Transmission control unit Y3/8n4 (fully integrated transmission control unit (VGS)) not listed in quick test and/or no communication possible with VGS. Cause…
- 10155125Jan 31, 2019Noises from area of front axle
- 10151943Jul 16, 20187G-DCT: Scratching noise when changing gear from D to R when transmission cold.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
17 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology