The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated while at a traffic light the vehicle stalled and shifted into neutral. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V627000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted but the contact was unable to schedule an…
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class powertrain problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 5 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 101,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Mercedes-Benz/GLA-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.