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KLUNK
KLUNK

2016 Mercedes-benz Gla-class

The Verdict

87 Smooth Ride

The 2016 Mercedes-benz Gla-class has 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (18 complaints) and body (16 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 87/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Mercedes-benz Gla-class, consider the 2022 model year which has 92% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2022 has 92% fewer complaints

View the 2022 Mercedes-benz Gla-class dashboard →

87

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
201530517399
20161629185
20171108112
201813113166
2019614612
202030032
202162381
202220020
202311121

By Category

Engine
18
Body
16
Electrical
9
Transmission
5
Brakes
2

By Severity

1
24
2
25
4
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

Panoramic sunroof fails to open/ close evenly due to plastic track failure. One side binds while the other moves, causing glass to tilt and jam. Risk of glass shattering, sudden detachment, distraction while driving, and water intrusion affecting airbags/electronics.

3mo ago
Electrical 4

My car totaled by another car and my air bags did not deploy.

5mo ago
Engine 2

I am reporting a P052E fault code related to the crankcase ventilation system on my Mercedes-Benz GLA. This is a known and widespread defect on multiple Mercedes-Benz models and is commonly covered under service bulletins and extended warranties up to 150,000 miles. My vehicle has 92,000 miles. However, Mercedes-Benz has refused coverage, stating that the GLA model is not included, despite extensive evidence that this same defect affects GLA vehicles. Numerous documented owner reports and forum discussions confirm identical failures on GLA models. This appears to be a systemic defect rather than normal wear. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue and require Mercedes-Benz to extend coverage and assume responsibility for repairs on affected GLA vehicles.

6mo ago
Electrical 1

My airbag malfunction light appeared on the dashboard. Once the light appeared, the HORN STOPPED WORKING, a safety hazard that caused me not to be able to drive my vehicle for over a year due to the risk! I took the vehicle to the Mercedes-Benz dealership, 200 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA 22304, and was told that the recall was closed and that they could not assist me. I was advised to contact NHTSA. PLEASE HELP AS I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE & BE SAFE ON THE ROAD! This is a huge safety hazard!!

9mo ago
Electrical 2

My GLA250 Instrument Cluster had been glitching out. The turn signals indicators would go off when the turn signal lights are initiated. The Check engine light, high beam light, and other warning lights come on for no reason, or dim or no backlight, inaccurate gauge readings, erratic gauge needle movement, and even a completely dead cluster. I took the car to the dealership and they said the instrument cluster was faulty and needed to be replace. The car is still at the dealership because they haven't figured out how to program it right. Since the instrument cluster is a vital component of the vehicles safety feature, this should be a recall. I have spent $3500.00 to fix an issue that should not have occurred since the car is only 6 years old. There are several online forums that discuss this very same issue that Mercedes is having with their instrument clusters.

16mo ago
Body 2

CEL P052E POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION REGULATOR VALVE PERFORMANCE MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS PROBLEM

21mo ago
Transmission 1

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.

23mo ago
Engine 2

Engine runs fine while driving and then cuts off while coming to a stop. This happened three (3) times last week since 7/23/24. Each time it happened I was stopping at a traffic light! After the failure a warning lamp flashed something about, Do Not Change Gears. Will make appointment to have it checked out as soon as possible.

24mo ago
Engine 2

Fault code P052E71 crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. This seems to be a common issue with 4 cylinder turbo engines. Dealer charged $2500 to replace, and even after replacements system fails again within 1-2 years.

25mo ago
Engine 1

The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the crankcase ventilation system had failed. The dealer determined that the engine oil separator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown Extended Warranty Coverage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,180.

25mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes Benz GLA. The contact stated that the check engine light had appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer determined that the crankcase ventilation valve had malfunctioned which blocked the actuator. As a result, both the fuel and the oil had started to mix inside the engine which caused the ventilation valve to not close as intended. The contact was given an estimate for repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

26mo ago
Engine 2

Following regular maintenance of my 2016 GLA 250 with my mechanic for the car repeatedly stalling, the mechanic discovered there is a fuel leak causing the fuel injectors and fuel rall to not get proper fuel injection. The mechanic found a manufacturer’s recall for the make, model, and year of my car. My car’s VIN# says this particular car is not affected. However, the exact issue is presenting in my car, which can cause significant engine damage. It’s believed my car, with the same make, model& year, is indeed impacted by this issue. My VIN should be considered to be included to have this recall.

27mo ago
Body 2

See attached document for complaint

28mo ago
Body 2

While driving the vehicle the system shows SOS as inoperable and requires constant acknowledgment by the driver while the car is in motion. This is a safety issue especially when driving and the driver loses focus on the road, it removes the digital speedometer and has to acknowledge the system error and potentially can be in an accident when not focusing on the road. Mercedes mbrace no longer supports the system due to an obsolete 3g system that is utilized causing the system to show an error as SOS inoperable. There is no software service patch to fix the issue of lost connectivity that is no longer supported by Mercedes. The dealer ship recommendation is to troubleshoot and repair that cost the customer to pay out of pocket even though this is not supported and no longer can be used as a system. Or to completely rip out the system

28mo ago
Body 2

While driving the vehicle a message is constantly required to acknowledge an SOS inoperable system which can be dangerous while driving. Mercedes ME Brace no longer supports the system due to being an obsolete system 3g network. The dealership requires the system to be disabled by deleting the software or removing the component to fix the issue of SOS being inoperable at a cost to the customer.

28mo ago
Engine 1

I was driving on the highway and when I stopped because there was traffic my car completely cut off. Screen and display went back and then it came back on and went into neutral and when I went to shift gears and try to change into drive it would not allow me to change gears. I had to turn the car off and turn it back on. THIS WAS ON THE HIGHWAY!!! This happened 2 times on my way home. I have a 2016 Mercedes my coworker has the same vehicle but the 2015 model. She has the SAME ISSUE. Her car is in the shop now and the mechanics are trying to see what the issue may be and I have an appointment at the end of the week. I have looked this issue up and there are TONS of people reporting this issue and I cant believe there is no recall! This is beyond dangerous and someone could die because of this. My coworker brought it to my attention and if we didn't drive the same vehicle I wouldn't have looked into this. However its NOT a coincidence that we both have Mercedes same make and model that cuts off and goes into neutral when driving.

32mo ago
Transmission 1

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. Within the week the vehicle was serviced and the rear differential needed to be replaced. No warning lights were present.

33mo ago
Transmission 1

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. In my opinion that is a default not a maintenance issue and I should not have to pay for this, and Mercedes should have a recall on this because it can cause a very serious accident. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

34mo ago
Engine 1

Smell of gas when turning on heater, fuel leaking on engine block

34mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that the sunroof panel had detached, allowing wind and debris to enter the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure). The unknown dealer pushed the sunroof panel back into position; however, the failure recurred due to the wind. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

34mo ago

50 total

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