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Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 180 Prestige common faults.

2014–2017, SUV, petrol, 122 HP.

The fault list covers: M270DE16AL engine, MB6MT-MFA transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

7 fault write-ups. All are important. 7 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

7 important faults

critical4

M270: a stretching timing chain with an undersized tensioner

critical

The timing chain stretches from 80,000 kilometres, and the cause is the exhaust-side chain tensioner: it is undersized and does not hold the chain properly. Short city use speeds the process up.

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The symptom is a rattle on a cold start. The stretched chain makes the timing slip, and if the chain jumps, the valves and the pistons meet.

above 80,000 km

What to check

  • Start it from cold and listen to the first seconds: a rattle points at the chain
  • Check whether the noise stays when warm: a chain fault does not fade with warming
  • Ask what kind of journeys it did: short city use speeds up the wear
2 more steps in the write-up

Timing chain: the pulse wheel shifts, and the chain stretches with it

critical

The service life of the timing chain on this engine is not outstanding: it has to be replaced between 100 000 and 150 000 kilometres. The stretching, however, is accelerated by another part, and that is worth knowing.

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The pulse wheel is press-fitted onto the camshaft, and it shifts a little with every start. That shifting significantly speeds up the stretching of the chain.

The symptom is difficulty starting, which can grow as far as complete failure. The engine starts hard when cold, and as the valve timing drifts it loses power.

The repair is therefore not just the chain: the stretched chain and the faulty pulse wheel have to be replaced together. If only the chain is renewed, the cause stays in place and the next chain stretches the same way. So look for both of them on the invoice.

On engines built before 2014 the phase regulators also failed quickly and started to crack. The maker revised them, which pushed the fault later, but did not eliminate it.

between 100,000 and 150,000 km

What to check

  • Start it cold: difficulty starting points to a stretched chain and a shifted pulse wheel
  • Ask for the invoice of the chain change and check whether the pulse wheel was replaced too
  • Listen to the engine cold: chain noise comes from the front of the engine
2 more steps in the write-up

Faulty weld seam on the camshaft: a recall, free replacement

critical

On engines built between July and September 2015 the supplier made a mistake in the welding process, so the weld seam on the camshaft is not as it should be. According to the authority's notice the fault affects individual M270 and M274 four-cylinder petrol engines.

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On the affected cars the camshaft can break, and in doing so it damages the engine and shuts it off. The engine cannot then be restarted, the car comes to a halt, and in the words of the notice this increases the accident hazard.

As a precaution the maker prescribed replacement of the camshafts. The campaign started in November 2015, the target date for completion was the end of 2016, and the replacement is free for the owner.

At a purchase two things have to be cleared up: does the car fall into the production window, and if so, has the recall been carried out on it. The franchised dealer can answer that from the chassis number.

What to check

  • Check the production date of the engine: the examples from between July and September 2015 are affected
  • Ask whether the recall has been carried out, and ask for proof of it
  • If there is no proof, ask the franchised dealer with the chassis number: they can tell you
2 more steps in the write-up

M270: a faulty weld seam on the camshaft, recall

critical

In engines built between July and September 2015, the weld seam on a camshaft lobe can be faulty and the lobe can break off.

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With a broken lobe the affected valve does not open, the engine runs unevenly, and the broken piece causes damage inside the engine. The manufacturer issued a recall and the replacement is free.

What to check

  • Check the engine build date: units built between July and September 2015 are affected
  • Ask whether the recall was carried out, and ask for proof
  • At idle, watch the engine: it must not run unevenly or misfire
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive3

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

M274 2.0 turbo: crankcase ventilation (PCV) control valve failure

expensive

On the 2.0 turbo four cylinder (M274, and the transverse M270) the control valve of the crankcase ventilation system fails early. The official database holds 259 reports on it, almost exclusively on the 2015 to 2019 C 300 and GLC 300 versions.

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The symptom: the engine warning light comes on, and diagnostics returns a fault code complaining about crankcase ventilation valve performance. Alongside it you get a fluctuating idle, a whistling or sucking noise from the engine bay, and sometimes harder starting.

The valve is part of the intake system, and if it sticks open or closed the engine either draws false air or the pressure in the crankcase rises. The latter pushes the crankshaft seals out, and from then on you have an oil leak. The valve itself is a cheap part, but getting to it is not always cheap.

On the same engine generation the complaints also include 27 reports of a cracked piston (weighted to the C 300 in 2015 and 2017). That is much rarer. If the engine burns oil or knocks, do not think only of the ventilation valve.

The official data is American, and the 2.0 petrol is far more common there than in Europe.

between 64,000 and 145,000 kmreported complaints only

What to check

  • Ask for a fault code read and look for the code on crankcase ventilation valve performance: that is the characteristic entry
  • Listen to the engine bay at idle: a whistling, sucking noise points to a torn valve diaphragm
  • Look around the valve cover and the crankshaft seals for oil leaks: the consequence of raised crankcase pressure
2 more steps in the write-up

M270: a failing electric thermostat leaves the engine cold

expensive

The electric thermostat can fail from 90 000 kilometres and sticks open. The coolant then circulates in the large circuit even while the engine should still be warming up, so the engine does not reach its 80 degree operating temperature.

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The control unit logs it too: code P0128 means that the coolant temperature stays below the regulating temperature of the thermostat. The symptom is that the engine does not warm up properly even after a long time, the heater is lukewarm, consumption rises and the engine management light comes on as well.

An engine running cold for a long time wears faster, because cold oil does not lubricate the same way and fuel dilutes it in a greater proportion. The thermostat is built into the coolant circuit, so its replacement involves draining coolant.

above 90,000 km

What to check

  • Run the engine for ten minutes: the temperature gauge has to reach its usual middle value
  • Turn the heating on: the air should be hot, not lukewarm
  • Have the fault codes read and look for P0128
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 180 Prestige

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 recall7 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

17V080000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE8 February 2017 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E550 Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, E550 Cabriolet, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 Wagon, GLA250, and GLA250 4Matic vehicles. The pelvis air bag or the front passenger air bag inflator initiator may fail to ignite in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the pelvis airbag or the front passenger airbag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

The authority's notice

A12/00857/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A bore hole in the universal joint on the steering shaft may have incorrect size. As a result, there could be play between the bearing fitted into the bore hole and the universal joint, which could cause the joint to become detached over time. This would impair the vehicle’s steerability, 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

A12/00940/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The steering software may not correctly activate the fallback level in the event of a hardware failure. This could affect the power steering assistance and lead to the loss of steering capacity, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Update of the electric steering software Date of entry into force: Unknown 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

A12/0763/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The mixture ratio of the fuel in the inflators of the front-passenger knee, pelvic and side curtain airbags may not be correct. In the event of an accident requiring the deployment of the airbags, this could lead to the airbags not inflating properly.

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

A12/1733/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The steering column is not sufficiently earthed. As a result, in the event of an electrostatic discharge, the driver's airbag may be triggered when not required. This could cause 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

M270DE16AL

90–115 kW (122–156 HP) · petrol

MB6MT-MFA · 6-speed manual, transverse (Mercedes F-SG 310 / 711.6xx)

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit310 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 Prestige
Body
SUV
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1595 cc
Power
90 kW (122 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2014–2017

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)

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 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