2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA200

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA200 is a compact SUV that offers a blend of luxury and practicality. While the GLA200 comes standard with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 156 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, other engine options for the 2016 GLA include the GLA250 with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine rated at 211 hp and the performance-oriented AMG GLA45 with a hand-built 2.0-liter turbo producing 355 hp. A 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission is the standard transmission for most configurations. Owners generally praise the GLA for its stylish design, comfortable interior, and agile handling. Common complaints often revolve around the firm ride quality and relatively limited cargo space compared to some competitors.

Engine

1.6L Turbocharged Inline-4 (GLA200)

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks may develop from the valve cover gasket or timing chain cover. Symptoms include visible oil leaks, burning oil smell, and low oil levels.
  • Solution: Replacement of the valve cover gasket or timing chain cover gasket.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $400+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Turbocharger Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Whining noises from the turbo, reduced power, and potential check engine light activation.
  • Solution: Replacement or repair of the turbocharger.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,200 - $2,500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

7G-DCT Dual-Clutch Automatic

• Rough or Delayed Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: Jerky or hesitant shifting, especially at lower speeds. Some owners report complete failure to engage gears.
  • Solution: Transmission fluid flush/replacement may help in some cases, but often requires valve body replacement or complete transmission replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 (fluid flush) - $5,000+ (transmission replacement).
  • Recalls: None Found
• Mechatronic Unit Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The mechatronic unit controls the transmission’s shifting. Failure can cause erratic shifting, getting stuck in gear, or a complete loss of drive.
  • Solution: Replacement of the mechatronic unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• No Issues Found

Electrical

• Malfunctioning Sensors
  • Description/Symptoms: Issues with sensors such as the oxygen sensor, mass airflow sensor, or wheel speed sensor can trigger the check engine light, affect engine performance, and/or impact safety systems.
  • Solution: Diagnosis and replacement of the faulty sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500+ per sensor.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Battery Drain
  • Description/Symptoms: Premature battery drain can occur due to faulty modules or parasitic drain from the electrical system.
  • Solution: Diagnosis of the source of the drain and repair or replacement of the faulty component.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Tail Light Condensation
  • Description/Symptoms: Moisture accumulating inside the tail light housings.
  • Solution: Replacement of the tail light assembly or resealing the existing unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+ per tail light.
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Sunroof Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Sunroof may fail to open or close properly, get stuck, or leak.
  • Solution: Repair or replacement of the sunroof motor, track, or seals.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Infotainment System Freezing/Rebooting
  • Description/Symptoms: The COMAND infotainment system can experience freezing, crashing, or spontaneous reboots.
  • Solution: Software updates may resolve the issue, but hardware replacement may be necessary in some cases.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (software update) - $1,500+ (hardware replacement).
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA200 has a mix of potential issues. The most concerning revolve around the transmission, particularly the dual-clutch system, which can be expensive to repair. Engine issues, particularly oil leaks and turbocharger problems, can also add to the ownership costs. Electrical issues are also common. While some problems are relatively minor, others can be quite costly to address, so a thorough inspection and maintenance history review are recommended before purchasing this vehicle.