2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 12%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, 12% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 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.
“Rear differential is faulty. This is the second time it has failed. The first time was in October 2021 the mileage was 44,812 and it was repaired. More recently it was making a noise and I took it back to Mercedes Benz dealership for repair. It was not properly diagnosed over an 8 week period and now it has completely failed. After the fact, I discovered many more Mercedes Benz owners have had the same problem with this happening but there is no recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11673669, filed 2025-07“The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted to neutral. No warning light was illuminated; however, the message Transmission Error was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. A dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11622356, filed 2024-10, 40,000 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while his mother was driving 45 MPH, the message that reverse was not available was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted into neutral independently and the ABS inadvertently engaged. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the wheel center and transmission needed to be replaced. The wheel center was replaced; however, the transmission was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. …”
NHTSA complaint #11627247, filed 2024-11, 59,762 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while his wife was driving and the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle shifted independently into neutral(N). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated that the failure was experienced several times. …”
NHTSA complaint #11475911, filed 2022-07, 45,000 miles“I was driving on the freeway and the transmission shifted into neutral and the car lost power. The Red malfunction lights came on and said transmission malfunction, DO NOT SHIFT, STOP driving immediately, contact dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11625915, filed 2024-11Related 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…
- 10186132Sep 12, 2020Humming/ vibrations/ noises from the area of the rear axle while maneuvering or when moving off
- 10155125Jan 31, 2019Noises from area of front axle
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
10 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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