2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018- Owner complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes reported
- 7
- 5 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/1
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission101 crash
The shifter refuses to leave Park, or will not go from Drive into Reverse or Neutral, even with the brake pressed firmly. Most reports say restarting the engine is the only fix, and the problem comes and goes, sometimes more often over time. Other owners describe the transmission slipping into neutral while driving, a violent jerk on the 3rd-to-2nd downshift, and the car rolling in Neutral after shutdown. One crash involves the car lunging forward from a stop with the brake held. A separate report describes a cylinder head cover seal leaking after about 60,000 miles and soaking the starter in oil.
Electrical61 crash
These reports are scattered rather than one clear pattern. One crash report describes the car accelerating on its own while parking, with the brake pressed. Other owners describe fuel pump faults that cause hesitation and stalling, an SOS warning that stays on after a battery failure, and a navigation screen that freezes and reboots, taking voice commands and Bluetooth down with it. Sunroof failures let water into the cabin, and one owner reports water damage to the batteries at about 81,000 miles.
Brakes5No crashes
Brakes wear out early. Owners report loud squealing and new pads needed at 9,000 to 20,000 miles, and dealers sometimes call the wear normal. One rear pad wore metal to metal with no dash warning because the wear sensor sits on only one rear wheel. Other complaints describe pads separating, with the problem returning after pads and rotors were replaced. One driver says the brake pedal did nothing for 4-5 seconds before working, forcing a quick lane change to avoid a collision.
Acceleration and cruise control43 crashes
Unintended acceleration at parking-lot speeds drives most of these reports. Drivers describe the car surging forward from a stop, or after releasing the brake with the hold feature on, and the brakes not stopping it before it hits a wall. Three of the four complaints involve crashes, and one driver was taken to a hospital. A separate complaint says the cruise control set speed cannot be cleared without stopping and shutting off the engine, so re-engaging it jumps back to the old speed. Another blames poor snow grip on the sport tires.
Steering41 crash
The car swerves or zigzags on its own, on the highway or while pulling out of a parking lot, with no warning light. Dealers often inspect the car and find nothing wrong. In the most serious report, the electric power steering cut out while moving and the car hit a concrete wall. The repair order cites a shorted steering rack and no communication with the steering control unit, yet warranty repair was refused. One loss-of-control report came at about 8,000 miles.
Fuel system3No crashes
The car stalls while driving, sometimes at highway speed, or fails to start. Owners trace it to water collecting in the spare tire well and reaching the fuel pump control unit or its connector, with rust forming in the wheel well. Replacing seals and the control unit does not always stop the stalling. Several reports center on dealer repairs that did not hold and replacement parts that were not yet available, leaving cars waiting.
Wheels and tires3No crashes
Early wear and sudden failure dominate these reports. Tread runs critically low at about 20,000 miles, one blowout at 35 mph led a mechanic to find all four tires in bad condition, and another tire kept losing pressure until a bubble formed in the sidewall. Dealers generally suggest replacing worn tires out of pocket. None of these reports involve a crash.
Exterior lights3No crashes
Low beams light the road poorly, and owners say night driving is difficult or that they must switch to high beams to see pedestrians and unlit streets. No warning appears because nothing has failed outright. Dealer adjustments to the headlights do not solve it, and the manufacturer says the lights perform as designed, so owners are left without a repair.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints A-Class owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Was not able to change automatic transmission gear to R (Reverse) w/o restarting the engine. (the brake pedal is firmly pressed for sure) For all three cases: 1) D (Drive) to R or 2) P (park) to R or 3) N to R. The only way to change to R was: 1) move gear to P 2) shutoff the engine, 3) restart the engine, 4) and then able to change the gear to R. This has happened several times in this year, 2023.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
Transmission gear does not shift into R or N or D, from P. How to reproduce: Drive several minutes, then brake/stop, shift into R, pull back 10~20 ft. Gear cannot shift to either R or N or D. Gear can only shift into P. Shutdown the car, restart the engine then able to shift into R or N or D. This has been intermittent but getting more frequent.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
Safety issue with regarding the TCU (Telematics Control Unit). Active recall does not include my VIN# /Make & Model. NHTSA campaign number 22V365. My car has Constant SOS Inoperative Message after battery failure in 2021-2022.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
How the 2018 compares with other A-Class years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of the 6 A-Class years we cover, about 2.8 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission101
- Electrical66
- Brakes50
- Acceleration and cruise control40
- Steering41
- Fuel system31
Where the 2018 fits in the A-Class's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the sixth model year of the A-Class's third generation (2013–2018).
It includes the 2016 update.
What changed for 2016
- Updated lights
- Technology enhancements
Recalls to confirm (9)
Recall repairs are free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
23V854000Body and structureDec 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
22V955000Fuel systemDec 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.
Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.
22V365000ElectricalMay 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
21V197000Body and structureMar 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
21V123000Wheels and tiresFeb 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLE350, GLE43 AMG, and GLE400 vehicles equipped with Continental tires. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030008.
21V072000CommunicationFeb 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
21V058000ElectricalFeb 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
18V539000BrakesAug 2018
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may not have been correctly coated, causing gas to become temporarily released into the rear brake hydraulic circuit, reducing braking performance.
Risk: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear axle brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080013.
18V512000Wipers and visibilityAug 2018
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, and GLE43 AMG vehicles. During manufacturing, components of the panoramic sunroof may have been installed with a bonding primer that was incorrectly made, possibly affecting the long-term adhesion to the vehicle.
Risk: If the front cover and/or rear fixed glass are not properly adhered, they may detach, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the panoramic sunroof, replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 7, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080006.
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