The Lemon Index

All cars · Mercedes-Benz GLA

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA.

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA is better than average by owner complaints: 27 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 84, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 27 to 28 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz GLA year is 2016.

84Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. 1.2× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2016

Mercedes-Benz GLA
Photo shows a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA. Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints27first 3 years
Fuel economy27–28 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash testnot ratedNHTSA

How serious. Out of 101 owner complaints, owners reported:

4crashes
4injuries
1fires
6tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

airbags30%
engine19%
electrical15%
body structure11%
transmission & drivetrain11%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Mercedes-Benz GLA year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 37K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 72K miles on the car (46 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 4

  • body structure 2023

    Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details.

  • body structure 2021

    The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunro.

  • communication 2019

    For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf.

Show all 4 recalls
  • airbags 2017

    If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about

Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 132 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Gasket may settle causing a slight oil leak
  • Fault code P06DA00 is found current or stored in engine control unit
  • Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
  • ClosedFront roof panel detachment2021

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 4 DR FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 4 DR 4WDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Fuel cost and engines

About $2850–2950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.

Quick answers

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 84; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz GLA year by this measure is 2016.

What are the most common 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (30%), engine (19%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA have?

4 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA get?

27 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,300 and 72,200 miles. The middle report was at 37,500 miles, from 46 complaints.

Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA cost in fuel a year?

About $2850 to $2950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA have?

2.0L 4-cyl.

What Mercedes-Benz GLA year is better than the 2015?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data