2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class problems and recalls

Owners filed 28 complaints on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class in the last three full years, out of 49 on record. The most cited component is the Electrical System.

49
Complaints
0
Recalls
3
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
1
Injuries
58.4
Severity index

Severity index 58.4 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 58.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 53 of 122 by severity index among 2018 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 57% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2018 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 10 complaints (20.4%)10 20%EngineEngine: 10 complaints (20.4%)10 20%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 9 complaints (18.4%)9 18%Power TrainPower Train: 6 complaints (12.2%)6 12%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 5 complaints (10.2%)5 10%Air BagsAir Bags: 5 complaints (10.2%)5 10%WheelsWheels: 5 complaints (10.2%)5 10%StructureStructure: 4 complaints (8.2%)4 8%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1020.4%
ENGINE1020.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER918.4%
POWER TRAIN612.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM510.2%
AIR BAGS510.2%
WHEELS510.2%
STRUCTURE48.2%

Complaints filed per year

07142017: 12018: 42019: 12020: 22021: 12022: 72023: 62024: 82025: 142026: 5 (partial year)1718192021222324251426
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20171
20184
20191
20202
20211
20227
20236
20248
202514
2026 (year to date)5
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.8x those in 2020 to 2022 (28 against 10).

Other Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 6 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.