Model year 2016 · Midsize Station Wagons, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class at 25–28 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints for this model year.

Safety recalls

4

EPA combined mpg

25–28

NHTSA overall rating

—

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as AMG GLA45, GLA 250.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, newest first.

Structure: Body: Roof and pillars

NHTSA 23V854000 Reported Dec 15, 2023
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Units affected
2,976 (estimate)
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk
A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Structure: Body: Roof and pillars

NHTSA 21V197000 Reported Mar 19, 2021
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 2021070010)
Units affected
15,096 (estimate)
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Risk
The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Communication

NHTSA 19V787000 Reported Nov 1, 2019
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 2019120008)
Units affected
24,226 (estimate)
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Air bags: Frontal

NHTSA 17V627000 Reported Oct 6, 2017
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 2017110011)
Units affected
495,290 (estimate)
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic…
Risk
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
AMG GLA45 4matic2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speed4-Wheel DrivePremium22/28/25 mpg$3,300362
GLA2502.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedFront-Wheel DrivePremium25/34/28 mpg$2,950312
GLA250 4matic2.0L 4-cyl turbo ffvAutomatic 7-speed4-Wheel DrivePremium or E85 / E8524/31/27 mpg$3,050331
GLA250 4matic2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speed4-Wheel DrivePremium24/31/27 mpg$3,050331

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 4 DR 4WDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 4 DR FWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class owner complaints

Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, most recently on Oct 18, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Unknown or other17
Engine15
Air bags8
Electrical system6
Fuel/propulsion system6
Power train5
Service brakes4
Vehicle speed control3
Electronic stability control (ESC)2
Steering2

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class model years

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 GLA-Class25–29 mpg12—
2025 GLA-Class24–29 mpg14—
2024 GLA-Class24–28 mpg22—
2023 GLA-Class22–28 mpg18—
2022 GLA-Class22–28 mpg25—
2021 GLA-Class23–28 mpg923—
2020 GLA-Class25–28 mpg511—
2019 GLA-Class25–27 mpg1130—
2018 GLA-Class25–27 mpg1252—
2017 GLA-Class25–27 mpg935—
2015 GLA-Class25–28 mpg5100—

All Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2016 Mercedes-Benz models

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Mercedes-Benz.