Recalls: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class
2014 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA Diesel: potential oil leak
In January 2015, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz vehicles with the OM651 turbo-diesel engine that were available for sale during 2014. In these vehicles, the seal ring between the timing chain tensioner and the engine may leak oil – this could result in a hazard for other road users and, in extreme cases, a fire risk (PRA 2015/14509).
2015-16 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA: loss of drive (fractured dual clutch)
In July 2016, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class vehicles that had double clutch transmissions. In these vehicles, a welded seam in the transmission’s dual clutch assembly could fracture and cause a loss of drive – this could pose an accident hazard to the vehicle’s occupants and other road users. The recalled Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class vehicles were available for sale from 1 November 2015 to 30 January 2016 (PRA 2016/15529).
2016 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA: left window airbag may not deploy
In June 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 October 2016 to 5 November 2016. In these vehicles, the left window airbag may not have been manufactured to specifications and may not deploy in the event of a collision, thereby increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants (PRA 2017/16114).
2016 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA: front passenger airbag may not deploy as intended
In July 2017, a recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA vehicles that were available for sale from 1 October 2016 to 1 December 2016. In these vehicles, the propellant mixing ratio in the igniters of the front passenger airbag assembly may not meet specification. In the event of deployment, the front passenger airbag may therefore not deploy as designed, thereby increasing the risk of injury for the front passenger. For the recalled vehicles, the front passenger airbag assembly was to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please seePRA 2017/16195.
2013-17 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA: deployment of driver’s airbag
In February 2018, recall RC2437/A was issued for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA vehicles that were available for sale in Australia prior to September 2017. If the steering column was not sufficiently grounded and the steering column switch was damaged or faulty, an electrostatic discharge could cause the driver’s airbag to deploy. If these conditions occurred, an airbag warning message in the instrument cluster display and a red airbag indicator lamp (signalling that the steering column module was damaged/faulty) would alert the driver. If the airbag deployed in the absence of a collision, it could injure and distract the driver. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16572.
2017 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA White Art Edition: centre rear anchorage point missing
In August 2018, recall campaign RC2534 was issued for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA White Art Edition vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 3 July 2017 to 28 November 2017. In these vehicles, the top tether anchorage point for the centre rear bench seat may have been omitted, such that a child restraint could not be attached. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16975.
2018 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class: airbag housing could eject metal parts
In September 2018, recall campaign RC2520 was issued for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 March 2018 to 30 April 2018. In these vehicles, the airbag gas generator housing could eject metal parts if the airbags were deployed and these posed an injury risk to occupants of the vehicle. Despite its similarities with the Takata airbag recalls, this recall was not related to Takata airbags. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17042.
2018 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class: concealed child restraint anchor point
In August 2019, recall campaign RC2642 was issued for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class vehicles that were available for sale from 6 August 2018 to 20 September 2018. In these vehicles, the top tether anchorage point at the centre position of the rear seat bench may be concealed such that a child restraint could not be attached. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17426.
2020 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class: mounting nuts for control unit box
In December 2020, recall campaign RC2835 was issued for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 July 2020 to 31 July 2020. In the engine compartment, the mounting nuts of the control unit box may not meet the torque specification. If the mounting nuts became loose, the control unit box may move and electrical connectors could separate. If the connectors separated, the engine may cut out, power steering assistance may be lost and driver aids – such as electronic stability control and Active Brake Assist – may not operate. These circumstances increased the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18696.
2017 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA: faulty universal joint in the steering shaft
In July 2021, recall campaign RC2894 was issued for 2017 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA vehicles. A component in the universal joint of the steering shaft was not manufactured to specifications and this, over time, may impair the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle. If the steering did not perform as expected, there was an increased risk of a collision and therefore injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-001672.
2015-19 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA with sunroof: panel between sunroof and windscreen may detach
In September 2021, recall campaign RC2885 was issued for 2015-19 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA vehicles with panoramic sunroofs. During a prior service repair, the panel between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been correctly bonded. The bonding may therefore deteriorate over time, such that the panel could partially or fully detach from the vehicle; this condition increased the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-004951.
2020 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA: emergency call may not be available
In June 2021, recall campaign RC2869 was issued for 2020 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA vehicles. Due to a software issue, the automatic network search function of the emergency call system (‘eCall’) communication module may be deactivated. If this occurred, the automatic and manual emergency call functions may not be available outside of the network coverage of certain providers; vehicle occupants would therefore be unable to connect with emergency services. This circumstance increased the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-001614.
2018-20 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA: eCall system may not contact emergency services
In December 2021, recall campaign RC2932-RC2933 was issued for 2018-20 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA vehicles. Due to a software issue, the automatic network search of the emergency call system (eCall) communication module may be deactivated. If this occurred, the automatic and manual emergency call function may not be available outside of the network coverage of certain providers. If the eCall system was deactivated, it would not be possible for vehicle occupants to contact emergency services in the event of an emergency (either manually or automatically). As a consequence, emergency vehicles may not be directed to the affected vehicle or may be delayed and this could increase the risk of death if a serious injury had occurred. For this recall, no action was required by consumers since the software would be updated ‘over the air’ (i.e. without requiring a workshop visit). For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-004979.
2018-20 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class: emergency call may not contact emergency services
In April 2022, recall campaign RC2957 was issued for 2018-20 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class vehicles. Due to a software issue, the automatic network search of the emergency call system (‘eCall’) communication module may be deactivated. If the eCall system was deactivated, it would not be possible for the vehicle occupants to connect with emergency services, either manually or automatically, in the event of an emergency. As a result, emergency vehicles may not be directed to the affected vehicle or may be delayed; this could increase the risk or severity of injury. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005401.
Problems and faults: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA: ‘Power Steering Malfunction, Service Required’
In June 2014, Mercedes-Benz USA issued Service Bulletin LI46.35-P-059241 for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class vehicles with VINs preceding WD#156####J007025. After the engine was started, the instrument cluster may display the warning message ‘Power Steering Malfunction, Service Required’, an acoustic warning would sound and the steering would feel sluggish. Furthermore,
- No faults would be logged in the steering control unit; and,
- Fault code C063100 would be logged in the ESP control unit and fault code U013187 would be logged in the instrument cluster control unit.
According to the service bulletin, these symptoms could be due to:
- Faulty contact of power supply to the electric steering system; or,
- A component fault in the control unit of the electric steering system.
Initially, the power supply to the electric steering was to be checked. If the problem was still present, then the control unit/motor unit for the electric steering was to be replaced.
Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA 250 4MATIC: rear differential noise
In March 2015, Mercedes-Benz USA issued Service Bulletin LI35.40-P-060213 for Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA 250 4MATIC vehicles. Due to a fault with the internal differential assembly, a thumping, grinding or chatter noise may be heard from the rear differential when turning. To test, the electrical connector for the all-wheel drive solenoid valve was to be disconnected and the vehicle taken for a test drive; if the noise was gone, this verified the condition and the rear differential was to be replaced.
Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA 200 CDI: OM651 timing chain and tensioner wear
For the OM651 turbo-diesel engine, there have been reports of wear of the simplex timing chain and/or chain tensioner at higher mileages. Since the chain is installed on the transmission side of the engine, access is restricted and replacement is expensive.
