The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is well associated with splendor and grandeur in the automobile industry, and it surely lives up to the expectations of car enthusiasts. Possibly even more.
As qualitative and rich as the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is, just like all vehicles, it suffers from a variety of problems. This article will explore some known issues negatively affecting the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.
Table of Contents
1. Inaccurate Communication Software
Information communication technology has gradually taken the forefront in the world of communication.
This has caused the addition of endless communication software features in different industries around the globe. As expected, the automobile industry has not been left lagging in the usage of these modern communication technologies.
As a modern luxury vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class comes standard with some communication features.
These features make it easier and more convenient for drivers and passengers alike to communicate with emergency services when in need of urgent help.
The emergency call system (eCall) of some GLA-Class has been reported to be faulty. This problem was discovered to be due to a glitch in the software responsible for the running of the emergency call system (eCall).
This communication system is designed to reach out to emergency services or first responders where help is needed. It also provides the actual time and date the incident occurred.
Consequently, inaccurate communication software is likely to provide the wrong date and time for the emergency call system (eCall).
The emergency call system then relays the wrong information (date and time) and the vehicle’s location to emergency services.
The inaccurate information, in turn, would delay first responders from reaching the emergency scene on time.
Meanwhile, the GLA-Class is also among the cars with high seats for seniors.
2. Roof and Panoramic Sunroof Problems
Have you ever had an experience with a leaking roof? If your answer is in the affirmative, then you would know that it is not an experience anyone would like to be repeated.
The sleekly crafted Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has previously suffered roof and sunroof-related problems. The first roof-related issue is with the front roof panel.
The front roof panel that is located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may have been improperly bonded.
For this reason, the adhesive bonding of the front roof panel may deteriorate in time with the possibility of being completely detached from the vehicle.
You can imagine the possible damage a detached vehicle roof panel could do if involved in a crash.
The second problem related to the roof of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is its panoramic sunroof. This panoramic sunroof is a fine feature with aesthetic functions.
However, this feature could turn out to be an ugly one if it eventually goes bad.
The GLA-Class has had issues with its panoramic sunroof rail guide, which is a component of the sunroof and is made of plastic.
The plastic material gets depleted with time and may eventually break to the dismay of owners.
Consequently, a broken sunroof rail guide leaves the occupants of the vehicle vulnerable and unsafe from bad weather conditions.
This is because a broken sunroof rail guide would not allow the sunroof to be well sealed as it should be, thereby becoming porous to rain or snow.
This issue may seemingly be insignificant until one is faced head-on with it and it proves otherwise.
3. Inadvertently Explosive Airbags Issue
It would not be far from the truth if one says that the majority of today’s cars have had a stint or two with faulty airbags.
The thing is, an airbag is primarily an integral safety component in a vehicle and does a good job of restraining a car’s occupants when necessary.
The irony is those faulty airbags tend to cause serious injuries and death in some cases.
Hence, it is quite unwise to consider problematic airbags as a “petty” issue.
The Mercedes-Benz brand, like many other vehicle brands, has been bedeviled by varying kinds of airbag problems and the GLA-Class is one such model to be affected by the seemingly persistent airbag problem.
Some Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has suffered recalls in the past by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) because of problematic airbags.
The reason was that the airbags may experience an inflator explosion. An explosive inflator (airbag) is capable of causing life-threatening injuries to the car’s occupants.
This is because sharp metal fragments may pop out and strike occupants of the vehicle.
The GLA-Class is also plagued by faulty driver airbags and the problem occurs when the driver’s airbag inadvertently deploys without prior warning.
This development could cause severe injury to the driver, and it could also lead to a crash.
4. Fuel System Problem
Vehicles practically depend on an efficient fuel system to transmit fuel from the vehicle’s tank to its engine for seamless performance and a faulty fuel system would hinder the vehicle from performing optimally.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has had some issues with its fuel system in the past. It was discovered and reported that particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and the fuel injector in the process of manufacturing.
These trapped particles consequently could cause fuel leaks around the engine of the vehicle.
A fuel leak, if exposed to ignition sources such as a hot engine or exhaust, is undoubtedly capable of causing a fire.
We believe no one would want to be faced with such a situation as it may lead to various degrees of injuries. It would also mean an unexpectedly huge budgeted cost for repairs.
5. Faulty Steering System
Some Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class model years have had issues related to their steering system. The problem was reported to be the result of an incorrectly fitted steering shaft borehole.
Consequently, the incorrectly fitted shaft borehole can become detached after some time, thereby leaving the car’s steering function in question.
A faulty steering could spell colossal danger for the occupants of a vehicle, as the car may lose control and ram into whatever it is that’s in its way.
Some GLA-Class were recalled because of their potentially destructive incorrectly fitted steering shaft.
Meanwhile, the Mecedes-Benz GLA is among the best small SUVs with 4WD.
6. Faulty Water Pump
The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has also been reported by owners to have faulty water pumps. Most modern vehicles use electric water pumps to circulate and regulate the flow of water in the car’s engine.
This is to maintain a stable temperature for the engine.
However, some GLA-Class owners complained that they noticed the temperature gauge moving into the red zone. This was a result of the faulty water pump originally installed in the course of production.
The red zone in the temperature gauge signifies that the vehicle’s engine is beginning to experience overheating.
Consequently, a vehicle that suffers from the problem of overheating is at risk of having a stalled engine or even worse, a fire.
General Pros and Cons of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is a very attractive and likable luxury sub-compact crossover SUV with loads of features that could make one’s eyes roll.
However, just like other cars, the GLA-Class also has some shortcomings. Below are what people like and dislike about the GLA-Class.
Pros
- The advanced and user-friendly infotainment system
- Comfortable ride quality
- Sufficient seating space
- Affordable for a Mercedes-Benz brand
Cons
- Subpar cargo space
- Too much road and wind noise for a luxury SUV
- Unsatisfactory interior quality
What Do the Reviews Say?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is quite appreciated as it has some positive reviews. However, it has had mostly mixed reviews on various well-known automobile platforms.
On the performance of the GLA-Class, Edmunds says,
Power is appropriate for the vehicle size, and it gets up to speed with ease
The engine and transmission are mostly smooth, though you’ll notice some engine vibrations from the automatic engine start-stop system when it first fires up
When you mash the gas for a quick burst of speed, the transmission can also be a little slow to engage.”
The interior quality of the GLA-Class has not been able to get any impressive reviews for some reason.
According to U.S. News,
Unlike many other Mercedes vehicles, the GLA isn’t a class leader in cabin opulence because of its mix of high-quality materials and hard plastics
You’ll know you’re in a luxury vehicle, but the overall design is a little underwhelming. Furthermore, a good bit of outside road and wind noise permeates the cabin
From the reviews, it is safe to say that the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has not fared very well. It has failed to meet the expectations of what a vehicle with the Mercedes-Benz nameplate should be and feel like.
What’s the Resale Value of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
It is noteworthy that the resale prices listed below may vary according to location, mileage covered, and the car’s overall condition.
If you aren’t sure about buying the GLA-Class, it is among the Mercedes models you can lease.
Model Year Approx. Mileage (Miles) Price ($)
2022 13,500 35,760
2021 27,000 29,212
2020 40,500 21,944
2019 54,000 16,899
2018 67,500 14,508
Go Back: Problems for all Mercedes models.
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ⓘ The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.