2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Front Air Bag Recall (21V102)

Recall 21V102 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 in recall 21V102?

The ground connection for the front passenger air bag may not be mounted properly, which could result in an inadvertent deployment.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain GLA250 vehicles. The ground connection for the front passenger air bag may not be mounted properly, which could result in an inadvertent deployment.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 GLA 250 with recall 21V102?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Inadvertent air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury for an occupant in the front passenger seat, and increase the possibility of a vehicle crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Inadvertent air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury for an occupant in the front passenger seat, and increase the possibility of a vehicle crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your GLA 250 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the frontal, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V102?

Recall 21V102 covers 36 vehicles: 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250.

NHTSA lists 36 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the GLA 250 front air bag recall?

Yes. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ground connection for the passenger air bag and correct it, if necessary, free of charge.

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ground connection for the passenger air bag and correct it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020037.

When was recall 21V102 announced?

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC reported recall 21V102 to NHTSA on February 22, 2021.

This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your GLA 250 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my GLA 250 is part of recall 21V102?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V102 is open on your GLA 250, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V102000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should GLA 250 owners do about recall 21V102?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V102000 applies to your GLA 250.
2. Call a Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the frontal happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are GLA 250 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the air bags.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the air bags have been filed since recall 21V102 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 18 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250: 18 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags

Can recall 21V102 make my GLA 250 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Air bag defects are hidden until the moment they matter most. A recall repair may replace an inflator or sensor, but if warning lights return or the system faults again, that is a repeat repair for a safety defect.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the GLA 250 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V102