Mercedes BENZ A Class Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mercedes BENZ A Class options? We analyzed 4 model years (2019–2022) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mercedes BENZ A Class has 80 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2019–2022. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2019 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Mercedes BENZ
- Model
- A Class
- Model years analyzed
- 2019–2022 (4 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 80
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Fire-related complaints
- 2
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2019 (46 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2022 (3 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Below Average
By model year
Mercedes BENZ A Class: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
Below AverageThe MERCEDES BENZ A CLASS has 80 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. 3 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 80 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 0 federal recall campaigns
- 3 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
0 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2019–2022. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 80 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
80 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
While I was driving the vehicle on the freeway there a single popping noise that sounded to be below the vehicle. Immediately after there was a big trail of white smoke coming from beneath the vehicle. When I was able to pull over and got out of the vehicle there were flames visible and the fire quickly grew.
Sunroof shattered while driving on interstate.
engines containing pistons that prematurely fail, forcing full-engine replaced all 4 pistons replaced . Car would die/ shut down, sputter , rock shake excessively and want to not go, 22307 WRO 103114. DIAG 15.5, LI01.30-P-072328,, C&D BATTERY CHARGER. PERFORMED SHORT TEST. FOUND CODE P219F78. R&R SPARK PLUGS.PERFORMED LEAK CHECK WITH SPARK PLUGS REMOVED. FOUND CYLINDER #04 LEAKING. R&R WHEELS. R&R UNDER BODY PANELS AT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. RELIVE FUEL PRESSURE. D&C BATTERY GROUND. DRAINED AND FILLED COOLANT.R&R CYLINDER HEAD. INSPECTED CYLINDER HEAD FOR LEAKS. FOUND THE EXHAUSTVALVE ON CYLINDER #04 IS WORN AND LEAKING. REPLACED THE CYLINDER HEAD. REPLACED OIL AND FILTER .window Electric unit the computer not pairing or working , windshield wipers not working
While stopped at a red light, my 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220 unexpectedly shut off and shifted into Neutral without warning. All warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, and a message instructed me to release the brake and restart the engine. The vehicle restarted, but this has now happened twice. The check engine light remains illuminated most of the time. This unexpected engine shutdown creates a safety hazard because the vehicle loses power unexpectedly while in traffic. If this were to occur while crossing an intersection or during other traffic conditions, it could increase the risk of a crash. In March 2023, an independent repair facility diagnosed all four fuel injectors as leaking fuel through the electrical connections, causing circuit problems, and warned there was a fuel leak. All four fuel injectors were replaced. In October 2023, a Mercedes-Benz dealership diagnosed rough idle, misfires, lean mixture fault codes, and excessive leakage in cylinder #4. Mercedes replaced the entire cylinder head under warranty. The vehicle is now experiencing unexpected engine stalls despite these previous repairs. I am submitting this complaint because I believe the repeated engine-related failures and unexpected stalling present a potential safety concern. I am aware of a Mercedes recall involving fuel system components on certain A220 vehicles. My VIN is not included, but I am reporting this because my vehicle has experienced repeated fuel- and engine-related failures and now unexpectedly stalls.
The car shakes above 60mph
While driving at highway speed, I experienced a sudden loss of engine power with no warning. This created an immediate safety hazard for myself and other drivers. The vehicle was diagnosed by Mercedes-Benz of Georgetown as requiring a full engine replacement (~$19,000). This failure is consistent with a known defect in the 2.0L M260 engine used in the 2020 A220, involving premature wear of exhaust valve seat rings and valve guides, causing leaking valves, loss of compression, and catastrophic engine failure. Mercedes-Benz of Georgetown performed a warranty cylinder head replacement on this same engine just five months prior (12/09/2025). The vehicle has been serviced primarily at the authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, driven under 10,000 miles/year, and purchased new in January 2020. Mercedes-Benz USA has acknowledged the defect by covering engine parts but is refusing to cover $6,733.38 in labor costs, leaving me with a $5,000 out-of-pocket expense for their manufacturing defect. Case Number: 22307804.”
Read 14 more owner reports
There was a rear camera recall in 2022 which I had fixed they did a software upgrade. The EXACT same issue has returned . It’s really dangerous when backing out of spaces and I can’t see. I took to dealership and they claim my license plate cover is the issue however even without the cover the exact problem with camera exists it is the same failure
My 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220 experienced the same defect described in NHTSA Recall 21V961000 (fuel injector leakage and potential fire hazard). In March 2023, my vehicle was diagnosed with leaking fuel injectors that were causing fuel to leak back through electrical connections, creating circuit issues and a fire risk. I paid $2,902.65 out-of-pocket at a certified service center to have all four OEM fuel injectors replaced (invoice available). Later, I took my car to a Mercedes-Benz dealership, where they performed additional work on the fuel injector system at no cost to me. The service advisor stated that this was covered under a recall/service campaign related to the fuel injector defect. This shows Mercedes-Benz has already acknowledged that my car was affected by the exact same issue covered under Recall 21V961000. However, I was told my VIN [XXX] ) is not officially included in the recall population, and Mercedes-Benz USA has declined to reimburse me for the $2,800+ repair. I believe my vehicle should have been included in the recall population and request that NHTSA review whether the recall scope should be expanded. I also request reimbursement for the repair costs I incurred prior to Mercedes-Benz performing the recall-related fix for free. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
August 2024 the dealership had my vehicle for over a month for major engine repairs after the motor mount snapped on the freeway and since then I only drove 3661 miles and I’m now convinced that they miss diagnosed and missed something It never drove the same after so on June 24th I was driving home and the engine seized and almost ejected me from the vehicle and I thank god for seatbelts The car was towed to the dealership and no loaner nor communication for 3 weeks Then tried to charge me $5000 then $3500 to do a teardown after telling me a week ago that I have catastrophic engine failure that is not fixable at all Last Thursday and Friday they did teardown to see what caused this and I am covered under warranty The service manager called me yesterday morning stating it is the 2 rod bearing that caused bright gold metal shavings in my engine oil that caused a catastrophic engine failure I requested that the service manager send me the written report so I can see He said nope it’s internal between him and Mercedes USA I explained I am the rightful owner of this vehicle and I have the right to know but more importantly I am scared and feel very unsafe to drive that vehicle again especially after the 2 times in under a year and now what about my transmission and other major components of my car Also I know they will report this car as a salvage or engine replacement under warranty on carfax which hurts the value of my car I did write a demand letter last night to Mercedes Benz consumer affairs and Mercedes USA to get me that information to protect my legal rights, warranty and resale value of my car Can you help N before the 2 major and catastrophic engine failure The electrical motor went out 2 x and had to be replaced Air bags The sunroof needed a complete replacement due to electrical Steering issues Suspension Major tire pressure issues
My 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class has experienced a recurring and extremely dangerous transmission malfunction beginning around 15,000 miles and continuing through 75,000 miles. While driving on both highways and main streets, the car would suddenly stall and shift itself into neutral. A warning message would appear on the dash saying “Cannot reverse – take to dealer.” The gas pedal would become unresponsive, and although I would try to shift back into Drive, the car would not move. The vehicle would slowly lose power and come to a stop in the middle of the road/highway, leaving me completely stranded in traffic with no safe way to move the car. On one occasion, I panicked while stopped in the road and attempted to switch into manual mode with paddle shifters and back to Drive — this briefly worked and allowed me to coast to a safe location. However, on the most recent and most dangerous incident, the car showed cannot reverse take to dealer the switch to “Transmission Malfunction – Stop Vehicle” and no tricks worked. I was stuck in traffic on the highway,for a few minutes unable to drive, until I turned the vehicle off and on multiple times, after which it allowed me to shift back into Drive and exit the roadway. Experiencing the worse anxiety I’ve ever felt in my life as I was just thinking I was going to get hit at full speed and die. This issue has happened multiple times and created life-threatening situations every time and emotional stress. Mercedes-Benz has acknowledged the defect by approving a manufacturer buyback, but the defect has never been fully repaired as of yet. My car is still at dealer. I am filing this complaint to alert NHTSA of this recurring and unsafe issue in the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Other drivers may experience the same malfunction, and this could result in serious accidents or fatalities if not addressed through investigation or recall.
August 2024 Engine mount broke and almost crashed my car the dealership did this: Rear engine support replace Remove/install complete wheel Engine compartment paneling, bottom Centre remove/install The torque struts were replaced N torque strut fasteners It had 38,195 miles I had engine trouble while driving on June 24th and towed it to dealership It has 41.856 not even 3661 The brakes locked and almost ejected me from car thank god for seatbelts Towed to dealership and they tell me a week and a couple days later saying it has catastrophic engine failure They have had my car almost 2 weeks no loaner no response until I kept showing up at dealership I want a buyback or a complete replacement due to the car is unsafe to drive and I’m positive it has something to due with previous work they did or didn’t diagnose previous issue properly or used faulty parts
The drivetrain/shaft is causing rumbling in the vehicle when accelerating and decelerating, typically around highway speeds. after more investigation the parts used on the a220 were also used on the gle350 that were recalled for having the same issues however the a220 wasn’t recalled for those issues.
I used the factory installed remote start via the Mercedes me app, and within a couple of minutes the car was in flames.
Vehicle makes popping/clicking noise when turning the steering wheel. Is worse when vehicle is cold. Causes rough driving.
The rear camera is experiencing failure. It blacks out when reversing and I'm unable to see my surroundings. There is an active recall for my vehicle year, make and model, but for some reason my VIN isn't listed as active? The dealership has acknowledged that my vehicles issues are the same as the recall issues. Could you please assist with getting my vin added to the recall list. Thank you
I was driving and I got coolant error on my dashboard. It came and then off. I pulled over and nothing seemed wrong with my engine. I restarted and headed home. The error was still on but the car was driving fine. I was trying to make it home. The car suddenly had all sorts of errors. It told me that my car was undrivable. I had no control over my car going 55 mph on a highway. I was luck to steer the car to the side of the road. Even when I was on the side of the road, I could not put it in park. It kept telling me my car was in danger of rolling away. I had my husband come meet me on the side of the road and he parked behind me so that my car did not roll away. I was on a slight incline on 32. We then waited for a tow truck. During that time, I tried to restart my car - only for it to give me undriveable, blind spot assist inoperative, errors. I could remember all of them. The tow truck guy had no idea what was going on either. My car spent 22 days at the dealership. It took them days to figure out what might be going on. Obviously the PMC module was bad. But why? They think condensation or leak from the AC hose had caused this problem. They found corrosion on the wire harness connector to PCM and on the PMC pins. They replaced the PMC and cleaned the pins. They got the car running - however, a week later, the same issue started happening. Now my battery said is was not charging. We figured it was time to change the battery anyway but it still will not turn on. I just had a full 50k service complete at this dealership in May 2024 There may be further damage to the system that the dealer realized. My car still does not run and I don't feel safe driving it when I can power it up.
I went to OffLease Only to purchase a vehicle and when I got there it was already a hot day which is expected because it was summer time but I didn't expect to be there for that long. The inventory is 800+ which means you're searching for a while before coming across anything. When we finally got done and went to finance I was just ready to go. I didn't realize how high the interest rate was especially compared to my previous loan. My credit was run an extensive amount of times also. Just found out the accident the vehicle was in is now causing issues to the car and it's value. I would like for OffLease to pay off the remaining balance on the vehicle and also return all the payments made on the vehicle. Also, have the title sent over to me when it's all done.
The first incident: upon departing from our location and pulling out onto the highway, the car's check engine light appeared, and immediately went into "limp mode." This occurrence caused the car to not go over 9 miles per hour. After this occurred, we placed the hazard lights on immediately to find a safe place to pull over to. Being that this incident occurred very suddenly, oncoming traffic was forced to go around us, thus placing us unnecessarily in harm's way. After arriving to a safe location, MBUSA Roadside Assistance was notified, and the car was then towed back (over 350 miles) to the certified dealership for repair. After inspection, the cause was determined to be a malfunction in the software of the car. The check engine light was reset, and the car was returned. Three weeks later, the check engine light returned without warning. The car accelerates very roughly and slowly, thus placing us in danger as we do not know if the car is going to go into "limp mode" at any given moment. After being towed to the same certified dealership, we were told it was a "software malfunction" for the fuel pressure system. We were explicitly told that there is NO FIX for the fuel pressure sensor, and that each time this occurs, we are to have it brought into the dealership for the code to be erased and the car to be re-released to us, each time stating the "vehicle is safe to drive," which is incorrect. The car has been inspected 3 times within the past 90 days, 2 of those times resulting in a tow to the dealership. MBUSA is aware of the issue, but states they cannot fix it. This hazardous issue places us at risk due to the fact the sensor can go back out at any time without any warning, resulting in an involuntary loss of control of the vehicle placing our lives and others' lives at stake. MBUSA Headquarters has been notified of the issue twice with the vehicle as we have requested assistance with this, but have received no help, guidance, or resolutions.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System), 21V990000 (Suspension, Steering), and 22V232000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Showing 20 of 80 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mercedes BENZ A Class
These pages show model-year patterns across 4 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Mercedes BENZ A Class, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mercedes BENZ A Class has 80 complaints on record across 4 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mercedes BENZ A Class has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 3 of the Mercedes BENZ A Class's 80 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mercedes BENZ A Class vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mercedes BENZ A Class vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mercedes BENZ A Class has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Mercedes BENZ A Class reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes BENZ A Class reliable?
Below Average. The Mercedes BENZ A Class has 80 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mercedes BENZ A Class years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2019 (46 complaints), 2020 (21 complaints), 2021 (10 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Mercedes BENZ A Class problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (25 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (22 complaints); ENGINE (21 complaints).
Does the Mercedes BENZ A Class have recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are currently on record for the Mercedes BENZ A Class. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.