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Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 200 d Business Solution common faults.

2017–2020, SUV, diesel, 136 HP.

The fault list covers: OM651DE22LA 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

critical2

OM651: the chain tensioner seal leaks and oil drips onto the exhaust

critical

The chain tensioner seal starts to leak and engine oil can drip onto the exhaust system. On the hot exhaust the oil can ignite.

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The manufacturer issued a recall for it, covering more than 100,000 cars built between February and November 2014. The repair is free under the campaign. The visible signs are oil traces at the back of the engine and a burnt smell.

What to check

  • Look at the back of the engine from underneath: oil traces point at the tensioner seal
  • Smell the engine bay when warm: burnt oil has a telling smell
  • Look at the top of the exhaust: baked-on oil leaves a mark
2 more steps in the write-up

OM651: the sealing ring of the chain tensioner leaks and the chain can loosen

critical

The sealing ring of the chain tensioner starts to let through, and engine oil escapes at the tensioner. The cause is insufficient manufacturing tolerance of the sealing rings. Beyond the loss of oil the chain tensioner can also loosen, and in an extreme case the timing chain comes free, which means engine damage. A separate phenomenon is that on the early OM651 engines a shortcoming of the tensioner let the chain stretch prematurely, which typically caused serious engine damage. The maker revised the tensioner several times, so this mainly affects the older units. The maker issued a recall, for more than 100,000 cars in Germany and for 2,869 cars and 2,579 vans in Austria. The range is the four-cylinder diesel units built between February and November 2014. The classes affected are A, B, C, E, S, V, CLA, GLA, GLK, SLK, CLS, ML, GL, Vito, Viano and Sprinter. It also affects older cars that received a replacement engine or chain tensioner from that period. The repair is replacing the sealing ring, free of charge under the campaign, and takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours of workshop time. The visible sign is an oil trace at the rear of the engine.

What to check

  • Ask whether the recall has been carried out, and ask for the workshop confirmation
  • Start the engine cold and listen for a clacking or rattling noise
  • Listen to the chain on lifting off and on load changes as well
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive4

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

OM651 2.1/2.2 diesel: Delphi piezo injectors and rear timing chain

expensive

The Mercedes OM651 common rail diesel has two faults that are independent of each other.

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1) Delphi piezo injectors. According to the German technical press the fault affected the two more powerful versions (125 kW / 170 hp and 150 kW / 204 hp). The weaker versions got solenoid injectors and were not affected. The fault could show up as early as around 50,000 km: the engine drops into limp mode, power is limited, and the car can still be driven slowly. Because of supply shortages the maker at first replaced only the failed injector rather than all four, so some owners went back four times. Later they moved to replacing the full set. From spring 2011 every 220 CDI version got solenoid injectors; the 250 CDI kept piezo injectors throughout, in several revised versions.

2) Timing chain. The engine runs on gears plus a short simplex roller chain. Increased chain wear (typically caused by a faulty chain tensioner) shows up occasionally at higher mileage. The replacement is very labour intensive, because the chain sits on the rear of the engine, on the gearbox side. The labour is the bigger part of the bill.

In November 2014 the chain tensioner caused trouble again: it can release, and engine oil can leak. The maker recalled cars built between February and November 2014. If the car falls in that window, check that the campaign was carried out.

The water pump can leak too.

between 50,000 and 250,000 km

What to check

  • Check the power output first: the 125 kW (170 hp) and 150 kW (204 hp) versions are the piezo injector, higher risk group. The weaker ones got solenoid injectors
  • Ask whether the injectors were replaced, and how many: a partial replacement meant repeat workshop visits
  • Listen to the engine on a cold start: rough running, shaking, smoke; limp mode or limited power while driving
4 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

OM651 diesel: contested defeat device, KBA authority recalls

expensive

The Stuttgart public prosecutor investigated the OM651 diesel on suspicion of an illegal defeat device (Abschalteinrichtung): the engine management returns better emission figures on the test bench than in real use. According to the German technical press the suspicion covered more than one million cars sold in Europe and the USA between 2008 and 2016.

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For Germany the suspicion was confirmed in KBA recalls supervised by the authority:

  • KBA 8227: GLC 220d / GLC 250d, 06.2015 to 06.2018
  • KBA 8251, 8252, 8253, 8314: Vito 2.2 diesel, 09.2014 to 09.2016 (partly classed as M1 passenger cars, partly as N1 commercial vehicles)

The ADAC lists these on top: C 220d / C 250d and C 220 / C 250 BlueTEC (12.2013 to 05.2018), S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID / S 300 h (12.2013 to 09.2016), ML 250 BlueTEC (08.2011 to 06.2015), and possibly the GLE 250d. In October 2019 the KBA ordered a third recall as well.

A large share of the cars exported out of the German market come from exactly this group, and the paperwork does not show whether the software update was done. In most countries this alone does not take the car off the road, but it hurts the car's value and how easily you can sell it on.

After the update many owners report higher fuel consumption and worse drivability: you notice that while driving, not from the documents. And in March 2021 the Stuttgart regional court found deliberate, immoral conduct on the maker's part and awarded a C 220 buyer around 25,000 euro in damages (7 O 224/20).

What to check

  • Ask the franchised dealer, by VIN, whether the KBA recall (8227 / 8251 / 8252 / 8253 / 8314) applies to this car and whether it was carried out
  • On an imported car ask for the German service history: the software update is documented there
  • If it was carried out: watch the drivability on the test drive and ask about real fuel consumption, because the update can make both worse
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 200 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

OM651DE22LA · Viano 2.0 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (4MATIC)

100–150 kW (136–204 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 200 d Business Solution
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2143 cc
Power
100 kW (136 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