2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250: 9 recalls, 18 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
9 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Communication, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V058000 · 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to the part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module May fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (ecall) in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: Failure of the ecall system May result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (ota) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021.
Communication, Communication Vehicle recall #21V072000 · 2021 · 67 vehicles
What's wrong: On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 gla250, glc300, 2018 s450, e400, and 2017 cla250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the emergency call (ecall) function.
Why it matters: A disabled ecall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021.
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V102000 · 2021 · 36 vehicles
What's wrong: The ground connection for the front passenger air bag May not be mounted properly, which could result in an inadvertent deployment.
Why it matters: Inadvertent air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury for an occupant in the front passenger seat, and increase the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ground connection for the passenger air bag and correct it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2021.
Backup camera, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V354000 · 2021 · 343,191 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The mbux multimedia system software May cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (ota) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #22V125000 · 2022 · 4 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear brake caliper housing fasteners May be loose, which can reduce brake performance or cause rear brake components to detach from the vehicle.
Why it matters: Reduced brake performance can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, detached brake components can create a road hazard, and increase the risk of a crash for other drivers.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners on the rear brake caliper housings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2022.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #22V232000 · 2022 · 126,443 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera May not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022.
Communication, Electrical Vehicle recall #22V365000 · 2022 · 242,722 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's sim card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (ecall) system.
Why it matters: A disabled ecall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: The communication module software will be updated through an over-the-air (ota) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024.
Brakes (hydraulic), Equipment Vehicle recall #23V732000 · 2023 · 42,742 vehicles
What's wrong: The vehicles May not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads. In addition, information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Why it matters: Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install an inspection gauge and provide supplemental owner's manual information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 29, 2024.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #26V481000 · 2026 · 310,667 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock May corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "auto-park" feature from engaging automatically. This May result in a vehicle rollaway.
Why it matters: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (5): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), electrical failure (2).
- Other / unknown (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (4): the most common themes are electrical failure (4).
- Fuel & propulsion (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 has 18 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 13 Gla 250 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 23). Complaints peaked in 2022 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 6,600 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (10 complaints, 5 recalls), 2022 (4 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 28 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (5), other / unknown (4), electrical (4).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AM8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Gla 250 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.