The Lemon Index
20192021Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 16,509 in the U.S. in 2020 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2020 Acura RDX 2872020 BMW X3 772020 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC 83
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 22V365000 (electrical), 21V961000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 21V197000 (body structure) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mercedes-Benz's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 2 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
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 →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Mercedes-Benz GLA (2018–2022) name most: P052E Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance. Look up any code →
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 32.8M views · 2015–2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Prices people quote
- Price when new$37,00014 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring728K views
Maintenance Light Reset | 2016 Mercedes GLA 250guitarmannunly · 409K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service714K views
Mercedes GLA, C-Class, A-Class | Service Reset | 2016MercMan Tips · 349K views · 6 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical305K views
2014-2020 Mercedes Benz GLA - Jump Start Dead BatteryYOUCANIC · 135K views · 4 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets63K views
Benz Almost BLOWS?! MASSIVE Oil Leak!! ('16 GLA250 Turbo @236k miles)Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics · 63K views
Show 4 more
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x454K views
How to Change Rear Differential Fluid Mercedes Benz GLA 2014-2020 | EASY2CarPros · 32K views · 2 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils49K views
How to Replace Spark Plugs Mercedes Benz GLA 250 2014-2020 | Sizes and Torque Specs Included!2CarPros · 49K views - Brakes & ABS46K views
2014–2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class X156 Front Brake Pad and Rotor ReplacementYOUCANIC · 24K views · 2 videos - Cooling system38K views
2015 Mercedes GLA 250: Cheap repair for Fault Code P052E Crankcase Vent Valve P0597 ThermostatJeff Wagoner · 38K views
Before you buy, watch
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC (H247) Buyer's Guide, Test (German), Review, Driving Report Aus...Ausfahrt.tv · 299K views
Mercedes Benz GLA 200 2018 - Is it worth maintaining a premium car? Good or a lemon? Problems, pr...Opinião Sincera · 41K views
BMW X1 vs Mercedes GLA vs Audi Q3 2017 SUV review | Mat Watson Reviewscarwow · 3.1M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2020 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2021
During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.
- Body structure · recall issued 2021
The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunro.
Show all 5 recalls
- Communication · recall issued 2021
On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mercedes-Benz GLA recall, all years · All Mercedes-Benz recalls
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Mercedes-Benz GLA year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Mercedes-Benz GLA years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mercedes-benz-gla/?y=2020" title="Mercedes-Benz GLA reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mercedes-benz-gla/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA reliable?
We can't score it: only 16,509 were sold in the U.S. in 2020 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (50%) and electrical (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA get?
25 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 50% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz GLA year is better than the 2020?
Nearby, the 2017 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2016 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works