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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

4 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

4 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

expensive2

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

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: 29 January 2021

21V033000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)29 January 2021 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 GLA 250 vehicles. The power supply for the automatic transmission control unit might be interrupted while driving, possibly causing the transmission to shift into neutral.

Risk: If the transmission shifts into neutral while driving, there would be loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission control unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020038.

The authority's notice

20V672000STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMSTEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM30 October 2020 · NHTSA (USA)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 GLA250 vehicles. The engine compartment fusebox may come loose over time, potentially damaging fuses and disrupting certain vehicle functions such as engine, power steering assist, electronic stability control (ESP), and Active Brake Assist.

Risk: A loss of engine operation, power steering assist, ESP system, or Active Brake Assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fusebox mounting and correct it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020110007.

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

A12/00531/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Improper torque of the screws on the brake caliper housing can cause the screw connections to become loose. As a result, the braking performance would be reduced and components of the brake caliper may be lost, increasing the risk of accidents. 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): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00968/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to a defect in the high fuel pressure manifold the engine might be damaged. This may lead to reduced engine power and to inability to start the vehicle, 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): Importer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01145/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The screws on the rear axle might not be tightened properly, which could lead to overloading of other screw connections. This can result in loss of wheel control and consequently to loss of 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

A12/01337/20Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The oil-supply pipe on the turbocharger may leak. As a result, engine oil could leak onto the under-body paneling and from there onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic. Moreover, leaking engine oil might come into contact with hot components in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of fire.

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