2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 28%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, 28% of the 18 complaints for this model year.
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.
“I purchased this car approx 3 months after real issues began. My car would have issues idling where it would sometimes turn off at stop lights and require multiple reignition attempts before proceeding. This would also happen when the auto-start feature (anti-idle/gas saving) was engaged (which is the default in the system) and this posed major safety concerns. The unstable idling of the car would result in an initial acceleration after being stopped, shortly followed by the engine dying. …”
NHTSA complaint #11544109, filed 2023-09“When coming to a full stop at a red light (or any need to idle at a stop), the car frequently begins to hesitate as if it is about to cut off. I assume it has something to do with the ‘fuel saving feature’ which comes on in the form of a green symbol in the lower left of the odometer display (the engine is still running the AC) . …”
NHTSA complaint #11677929, filed 2025-08“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 into the hvac system and cannot be cleaned without dealer removal/repair of the hvac motor, which costs the customer more than $500 in repairs and disincentivizes mitigation. …”
NHTSA complaint #11743847, filed 2026-06“Engine misfired in operation requiring an emergency stop while on a mountain road. Severe check engine light turned on (Mercedes has a two stage check engine light). Vehicle was parked for 20 minutes and battery was disconnected. This appeared to fix the issue. Vehicle was brought to dealer. Dealer stated the cylinder head for early 2021 GLA 250 engines had a casting flaw that result in hot gases escaping and damaging engine. Engine and turbo rebuilt under warranty at 17000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11547873, filed 2023-10“I am reporting a potential safety and mechanical defect involving the cylinder head in the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. Many owners, including myself, have experienced premature cylinder head failure, often without warning, leading to loss of power, engine misfires, rough idling, and in some cases, sudden engine shutdown while driving. This issue appears to be widespread among GLA models equipped with the M260/M270 engine, often occurring well before 100,000 miles. It raises serious concerns about the design, durability, and safety of the engine’s top-end components. …”
NHTSA complaint #11661372, filed 2025-05Related service bulletins
- 11034506Jul 2, 2026Complaint CEL light on with no drivability concerns. Cause Signal timing error. Remedy 167: SW has been released. Update the FSAM to the latest SW version. 465, 290, 118, 243…
- 11034064Jun 19, 2026Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline…
- 11031845Apr 18, 2026Dear Mercedes-Benz Owner: On behalf of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”), thank you for being a part of the Mercedes-Benz family. We hope that you are enjoying your vehicle. Here…
- 11030652Apr 2, 2026Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain subject vehicles equipped with M139 gasoline engine, the nozzle geometry of the…
- 11030302Mar 27, 2026Complaint -Check engine light illuminated. -Engine runs rough. -Poor shifting or jerking when accelerating. -Fault codes stored related to mixture formation, injector quantity…
- 11029057Feb 28, 2026Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain subject vehicles, the control unit software for the engine electronics does not…
- 11028267Feb 2, 2026Complaint -Check engine light illuminated. -Engine runs rough. -Poor shifting or jerking when accelerating. -Fault codes stored related to mixture formation, injector quantity…
- 11021897Aug 4, 2025Complaint: Check engine light comes on when driving/starting the vehicle. No drivability concerns. Cause: Communication error in G1/3 - 48 V on-board electrical system battery…
- 11018215May 2, 2025Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain subject vehicles, the SCN coding in the Belt-driven Starter Alternator (BSA) control…
- 11016046Mar 26, 2025Complaint Check engine light comes on when driving/starting the vehicle. No drivability concerns. Cause SW conflict of the 48V battery Remedy 1.-Check for SW in the 48V battery…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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