2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 8 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has 8 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 GLA-Class | 33 | 0 |
| 2018 GLA-Class | 49 | 0 |
| 2020 GLA-Class (this page) | 8 | 0 |
| 2021 GLA-Class | 20 | 0 |
| 2022 GLA-Class | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 GLA-Class | 7 | 0 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 8 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 8 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA250. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud rumbling sound heard. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local…
My Mercedes Benz GLA250 has a faulty rear differential and began shuddering and driving poorly when it had 44K miles on it. This is a very premature failure as diagnosed by two repair shops and is happening to thousands of this model Mercedes Benz. The damage can be catastrophic…
1. POWER STEERING: STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT ON A FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING MASSIVE COLLISION (this has happened twice) 2. Car Jerkiness: reported this to MBZ of San Rafael for 2 years (went into shop 10+ times for same issue and not resolved. It lunges forward while driving. This…
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-benz gla250. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start from the cell phone. The contact tried a couple of times and started the vehicle. The contact stated that while his wife was driving and made a stop in traffic, the vehicle…
Common questions
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 8 owner complaints have been filed for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
Only 8 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 8 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 8 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.