VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Mercedes-Benz GLA2015–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Mercedes-Benz GLA
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Mercedes-Benz GLA Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 71 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
7 recalls · 29 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
7 recalls · 27 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the GLA became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 15, 2026.
Mercedes-Benz GLA — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 61 | 33 | 51 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 61 | 48 | 56 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 61 | 61 | 61 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 7 | 2 | — | 55 | 71 | 61 | Good |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 61 | 78 | 67 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 6 | 20 | 2 | — | 36 | 81 | 52 | Caution |
| 2020 | 2 | 7 | 2 | — | 52 | 80 | 62 | Good |
| 2019 | 7 | 29 | 3 | — | 36 | 76 | 50 | Caution |
| 2018 | 7 | 27 | 3 | — | 36 | 70 | 48 | Caution |
| 2017 | 5 | 20 | 2 | — | 36 | 63 | 45 | Caution |
| 2016 | 2 | 32 | 2 | — | 36 | 56 | 43 | Caution |
| 2015 | 2 | 71 | 5 | — | 36 | 49 | 41 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Mercedes-Benz GLA Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the GLA compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2022 (Buyer Score 67).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year GLA to buy?+
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA scores highest on our Buyer Score (67/100) — combining a reliability score of 61/100 with a value score of 78/100. It has 2 recalls and 2 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which GLA years have the most problems?+
The 2015, 2019, 2018 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2015 GLA leads with 2 recalls and 71 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common GLA problems?+
The most frequently reported Mercedes-Benz GLA issues involve: ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.