Common Problems with the Mercedes A Class

Charlotte Phillips, 3 years ago

5 min read

  • Mercedes
  • Common problems
Mercedes A Class - istock

FixMyCar discusses common problems drivers have experienced with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

First introduced in 1997, the popular Mercedes A-Class is available to purchase as both a saloon or as a hatchback model. Some of the common faults that drivers have reported with the A-Class include:

Because there have been several different models and generations of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the type of problem you’re experiencing can depend on the model of car that you own and what year it was made.

Mercedes A-Class recalls

Model faults 2013

Model faults 2014

Model faults 2015

Model faults 2016-2017

Are Mercedes A-Class reliable?


Mercedes A-Class recent recalls

Recall dateIssue Affected model dates
20/01/2022Front axle may become corroded due to inadequate corrosion protectionBetween 2nd May 2019 - 17th July 2020
20/01/2022Electrical power steering could fail due to the power supply being possibly contaminatedBetween 25th June 2020 - 8th July 2020
06/01/2022Damaged sealing may cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment, increasing risk of fireBetween 27th May 2016 - 24th August 2020
22/07/2022A lateral crash sensor has been incorrectly attached, which could result in the lateral airbag not properly deployingBetween 1st April 2019 - 10th May 2019

*Data taken from the European Commission


Mercedes A-Class faults - 2013

Loss of power

A-Class models manufactured up to 30th June 2013 could experience a loss of power caused by the driveshaft detaching itself from the wheel hub. This, of course, could be very dangerous for you and your passengers. If you’re not sure whether this is causing a loss of power in your own car, make sure to take your car to a mechanic to get the problem rectified as soon as possible.

You can find out more about the potential causes and symptoms of a loss of power in your car by reading our blog here.


Mercedes A-Class faults - 2014

Leaking oil

Leaking oil from a faulty or cracked O-ring installed in the car was reported for some diesel models that were manufactured between 1st February 2014 and 30th November 2014. Not only is an oil leak a problem for harming the environment, but it could spell trouble for your engine running low on oil and damage the internal components of the vehicle.

If your car is suffering from an oil leak, you can find a mechanic on our network to repair the problem for you. On average, a fluid leak repair for a Mercedes A-Class costs around £79.58 when booked with FixMyCar.

Front passenger airbag issues

Faulty installation of fuses on some Mercedes A-Class models manufactured between 8th September 2014 and 7th November 2014 resulted in a recall. This fault meant that in some cases the front passenger airbag may not be able to deploy in the result of a collision. This same fuse installation issue could also affect the operation of the windscreen wipers. 

Steering rack issues

In A-Class models manufactured before 2015, there was a common issue whereby the steering rack was susceptible to failure. One indication of this problem was a clunking sound when driving, which would indicate that the steering rack has become damaged. This could ultimately result in the need to replace the steering rack, but it could also cause problems for the suspension system and wheel bearings too.

The average price of a steering rack replacement for a Mercedes is £261.56.


Mercedes A-Class faults - 2015

Failing camshaft

For models manufactured between 16th July 2015 and 11th September 2015, there is a chance that the engine’s camshaft could have a fault, leaving it susceptible to breakage. Ultimately, this could result in your car losing power instantly, as well as damaging some of the internal components within the engine.

If you think this could be a problem you’re having, you can book in for a diagnostic test where a trained mechanic will be able to expose what is causing the issue. The average cost of a diagnostic test booked on FixMyCar is £52.25.

Mercedes A-Class image 2

Dual-clutch automatic gearbox failure

Models that were manufactured between 1st October 2015 and 19th November 2015 that came with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox could become cracked, or fail completely. This comes as a result of a badly welded component in the gearbox, and could cause the car to go into limp-home mode.

If your automatic car is having problems, you can find an auto gearbox specialist in our network to carry out the repair for you. According to our data, the average price of an auto gearbox repair for a Mercedes A-Class is £156.52.


Mercedes A-Class faults - 2016-2017

Airbag faults

Another recall for vehicles manufactured between 31st July 2016 and 20th March 2017 was caused by an issue with the airbag igniter, meaning that the airbag may only partially inflate, or not inflate at all.

The average price of an airbag repair for a Mercedes is £152.27 when booked with FixMyCar.


How reliable is the Mercedes A-Class?

Despite some reported faults over its years in production, the Mercedes Benz A-Class has continuously fared well in reliability. In 2018 the Mercedes A-Class received the maximum five-star safety rating as awarded by Euro NCAP, with the model also winning the What Car? Safety Award for 2019.

Similarly, the A-Class managed to rank in the Auto Express Driver Power survey for 2021, finishing 23rd out of 75 cars in customer satisfaction, cementing the model's solid reliability.


Having problems with your Mercedes A-Class? FixMyCar can help you find a trusted local garage at the best price.


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