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Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 180 d Business Solution common faults.

2017–2020, SUV, diesel, 109 HP.

The fault list covers: OM607DE15LA engine, MB7DCT transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

6 fault write-ups. All are important. 9 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

6 important faults

critical1

Timing belt: six years or 120 000 kilometres, whichever comes first

critical

The maker has the timing belt replaced at 120 000 kilometres or at six years, and whichever of the two comes first is what counts. On a car that has covered little but is six years old, the mileage is therefore not enough. Workshops are stricter than this: they recommend it at 100 000 kilometres, and they replace the belt together with the tensioners and the water pump.

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This is an interference engine: if the belt snaps, the pistons reach the open valves. The consequence is bent valves, and from then on the repair is a full cylinder head rebuild.

The belt can also snap before its time, and there are two known reasons for that: incorrect tensioning and a high pressure pump that is not accurately aligned. Both depend on the quality of the belt change, which means it is also of interest on the invoice where the work was done.

above 120,000 km

What to check

  • Ask for the invoice of the timing belt change: the date and the mileage are needed with it
  • Work out the age of the belt: six years is the factory limit, and it can expire sooner
  • Check whether the tensioners and the water pump were replaced too: the belt alone is not enough
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive5

Panoramic roof: the glass can shatter on its own while driving

expensive

In the official complaint database the 2014 to 2018 model years account for 230 complaints, and 378 across the whole corpus.

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The characteristic course of events: the panoramic roof glass shatters while driving, with no impact, with a loud bang. Across the whole group 108 complaints use the wording "exploded / shattered into pieces", 155 say it happened while driving, 38 specifically note that nothing struck the roof, and 43 complaints mention injury or cuts from the glass.

By measurement the affected group is primarily the W205 C-Class (2015 to 2017), plus the MFA platform GLA (X156) and CLA (C117) in the 2014 to 2015 model years.

There is no rattle beforehand and no warning. The traces of a replacement show on the seal and the bonding. The replacement is not cheap, and the broken glass falls into the cabin.

The complaint database is American, and the panoramic roof is more common there as an option. The phenomenon itself does not depend on the market.

between 48,000 and 161,000 kmreported complaints only

What to check

  • Ask whether the panoramic roof glass has already been replaced: the traces show on the seal and the bonding
  • Look at the edge of the roof from outside and inside: cracks, chips, signs of earlier repair
  • Ask for the service history and any trace of an insurance claim (glass damage)
2 more steps in the write-up

7G-DCT (724.0): mechatronics and wet clutch

expensive

The 7 speed dual clutch of the transverse MFA platform (7G-DCT / 724.0: A/B/CLA/GLA/GLB) started its early years with jerking and firmware faults; today most of the complaints trace back to the mechatronics unit (valve body and solenoids) and the electric oil pump.

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Driven with a faulty mechatronics unit, the wet dual clutch wears faster. The mechanical part (synchros, differential bearing) tends to appear at high mileage.

This is not the longitudinal 7G-Tronic (722.9): a different casing and a different fault pattern.

between 80,000 and 180,000 km

What to check

  • In town, crawling in traffic, watch for jerking between 1 to 2 and 2 to 3
  • Pulling away uphill or in a queue: a delayed clutch engagement is suspect
  • Ask for a fault code read on the DCT controller
2 more steps in the write-up

Injector failure: metal debris from the pump, or back-leak into the oil

expensive

The injectors fail above 100 000 kilometres, and how quickly depends on the quality of the fuel and on the servicing. Three paths lead here, and each one is checked differently at a viewing.

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The nozzle can clog from poor fuel. As the high pressure pump wears, metal debris gets into the system and destroys the injectors; that can be seen in the fuel filter. And the Delphi injectors from before 2010 leak through a back-leak and dilute the oil with diesel; there is a back-leak test for that.

The symptom is an uneven idle, hard starting, jerking, lack of power and black smoke, along with a tapping noise and the injection warning light. In the fault memory the codes from P0201 to P0204 appear, cylinder by cylinder.

An injector that atomises poorly also fills the particulate filter faster, because it produces more soot. If an injector fails badly, the piston can even melt or burn through.

An injector costs around 100 pounds each, and it is worth replacing them together as a set. Reconditioned parts are also available, and they are noticeably cheaper.

above 100,000 km

What to check

  • Open the fuel filter, or ask for the last change: metal debris means the pump is wearing
  • Ask for an injector back-leak test: that shows up an injector leaking backwards
  • Watch the engine at idle: uneven running and a tapping noise belong here
3 more steps in the write-up

OM607 1.5 diesel: coking injectors in city use

expensive

Deposits build up on the injectors from 100,000 kilometres, and this is faster with city-only use, because the engine never warms through properly.

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The symptoms are an uneven idle, a lack of power and black smoke. A coked injector atomises poorly, which also fills the particulate filter faster.

above 100,000 km

What to check

  • At idle, watch the engine: it must not run unevenly
  • Accelerate under load: black smoke points at the injector
  • Ask what kind of journeys it did: city-only use speeds up the deposits
2 more steps in the write-up

Particulate filter: it does not burn off in town, and fills with ash

expensive

The particulate filter only burns off if the engine runs at operating temperature for long enough. On short, urban journeys the regeneration cannot even complete, so ash builds up in the filter, and the end of it is limp mode.

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The regeneration needs a motorway run, and 20 to 30 minutes of it is the measure. A shorter journey starts the process but does not finish it, and an incomplete regeneration does damage of its own: the post-injection mixes diesel into the sump oil.

The life of the filter is also extended by a forced regeneration carried out with the diagnostic tester, done between 30 and 40 thousand kilometres.

A saturated filter means lack of power, limp mode and finally a filter replacement. An injector that atomises poorly leads to the same place, because it produces more soot.

What to check

  • Have the saturation of the particulate filter read, and the distance since the last regeneration
  • Ask what kind of journeys it has done: urban use only saturates the filter
  • Ask whether a forced regeneration has been carried out, and when
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 180 d Business Solution

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall9 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 1 April 2021

21V229000STEERINGSTEERING1 April 2021 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 B250e, CLA250, 2017-2018 AMG CLA45, GLA250, and AMG GLA45 vehicles. The steering shaft bore hole for the universal joint bearing may allow excessive movement that, over time, could result in the separation of the bearing and universal joint.

Risk: A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060001.

The authority's notice

19V585000SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHERSEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER12 August 2019 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 GLA250 and GLA250 4MATIC vehicles. The left anchor plate of the rear middle seatbelt may be loose.

Risk: The seatbelt for a passenger seated in the rear middle seating position might not be properly secured, which could increase the risk of an injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left anchor plate of the rear middle seatbelt, correcting its installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 13, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019080010.

The authority's notice

19V132000SEATSSEATS26 February 2019 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2018-2019 GLA-250 and GLA250 4MATIC vehicles. An incorrect rear seat back covering carpet could have been installed on the split-rear seat back. As a result, the child seat anchorage point (top tether) on the center positon of the rear seat may be covered and inaccessible for use. As such, these vehicles fail to comply to Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Risk: If the upper anchorage point is covered, the child seat will not be able to be secured as intended in the center position of the rear seat, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear seat back covering carpet on the affected vehicles and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz's customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes' number for this recall is 2019030003.

The authority's notice

18V912000VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLYVISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY19 December 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2018-2019 GLA250 and GLA250 4MATIC vehicles. The sunroof bonding may allow water to leak into the vehicle.

Risk: Water leaking into the vehicle from around the sunroof may affect the electrical contacts of the window air bag, potentially causing the window air bag to not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Mercedes has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bonding of the panorama sliding sunroof and the electrical contacts of the window air bag on the affected vehicles, replacing the components as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019030006.

The authority's notice

18V405000CHILD SEAT:TETHER: CONNECTOR/CLIPCHILD SEAT:TETHER: CONNECTOR/CLIP15 June 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 and GLA250 4Matic vehicles. The child seat top tether anchorage point on the center position of the rear seat may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Risk: If the top tether anchorage point is missing, a child seat will not be able to be properly installed in the center rear seat position, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear seat backrest, free of charge. The recall began August 15, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

The authority's notice

17V653000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS16 October 2017 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLA250 4Matic vehicles. The low beam headlight settings on these vehicles may deviate from the required specification, reducing the range of light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Reduced headlight range can affect visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA owns the affected vehicles. Dealers will inspect the headlight adjustment, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2017100009.

The authority's notice

A12/0852/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The casing material of the gas generator of the driver airbag may be defective. In the event that the airbag is deployed, the airbag may not protect the driver and detached parts might enter the passenger compartment causing injury to the vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1632/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The end mount of the middle rear safety belt may not be correctly secured and could become detached. As a result, the safety belt will become inoperable, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1794/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The fixing screw connecting the base holder of the manual control device may not be correctly fitted. This can impair the control over the vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

OM607DE15LA

80 kW (109 HP) · diesel

MB7DCT · 7G-DCT (Mercedes 724.0, transverse dual-clutch)

DSG · 7 speed

Clutchwet
Torque limit350 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
GLA 180 d Business Solution
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
1461 cc
Power
80 kW (109 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2017–2020

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years
All X156 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms