Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and fuel system. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/5
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/1
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.
These years share the 2019's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Screens go black, sometimes after a software update, leaving drivers without a speedometer or fuel gauge. Dealers quote about $2,000 for a display and over $6,500 for the computer behind it. Other reports describe the infotainment system's hard drive failing and taking the defogger, rear camera, and radio volume control with it. The backup camera can also show a mirrored image, which dealers blame on software. Further complaints cover a no-start fixed by reconnecting the battery, a sticking sunroof shade, recurring airbag warning lights, and engine trouble at high mileage.
Check engine lights return even after dealers replace valves and update software. Reports describe sudden power loss: one car slowed from 45 mph to 12 mph on its own, and another would not go past 20 mph in the lower gears. Failed cylinder heads and misfires come up as well, with stalling in traffic and poor acceleration. Mileages reported for check engine and power-loss faults fall between 12,000 and 25,000 miles. Sudden slowdowns and stalls in traffic put the car at risk of being hit.
Stalling is the main complaint. The engine shuts off while driving and will crank but not stay running, and it can stall at low rpm after rough idling, shaking, and vibration. One car needed a second fuel pump within a year, with repair bills over $4000, and the problem still was not solved. Jerking under acceleration can come before the stall. Losing power in traffic leaves the driver stranded, and owners say they worry about fire.
The fuel door can refuse to open at the pump. In one report, a temporary dealer fix failed and the release motor was replaced at about 10,000 miles. A separate complaint describes violent shaking, an odd smell in the cabin, and a check engine light that keep coming back. A mechanic traced that problem to the fuel injectors and the crankcase ventilation system. Repeated violent shaking while driving can make the car hard to control.
The passenger airbag can deploy for no apparent reason. One report describes it going off at night in heavy rain and leaving a passenger with bruises. More often, the airbag or SRS warning light comes on and returns soon after a dealer says the fault is fixed. Another complaint concerns an open airbag recall that the dealer could not complete because parts were unavailable. An airbag that fires on its own while driving can injure occupants and distract the driver.
Most of these complaints are about recall repairs held up by parts shortages. Owners received recall notices but could not get the work done, and none of them report an actual steering failure. One separate report describes the lane departure system shaking the steering wheel at 50 to 60 mph, applying the brakes with a loud noise, and cancelling a lane change on a road with solid line markings. Unexpected braking at highway speed raises the risk of a rear-end collision.
Glass failures dominate this short list. One report describes bubbles forming in the front and rear windshields that required replacement at 3000 miles. Another describes the glass sunroof shattering with a loud bang at about 30 mph, around 28,000 miles, with nothing hitting it. Glass breaking suddenly overhead while driving can startle the driver and send fragments into the cabin.
Excerpts from complaints A-Class owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The moonroof is not working properly the shade part gets stuck and won’t open completely it gets to certain point and stop and shade part bunches up. I have noticed all lot of owners online with this same A220 2019 make and model and year are having the same issues. I taken it Mercedes and was told it’s no longer under warranty and that it would cost me $265 just if diagnosed.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2024
Engine misfiring. The cylinder needs to be replaced which causes the fuel-air mixture not to operate correctly. I see a recall for the issue for the 2019-2020 A class Mercedes but my VIN number does not appear to be associated. Please see the recall below: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 21V961000 Report Date: DEC 12, 2021
Filed with NHTSA, December 2022
The car shakes, vibrates and has rough idling. My engines stalls when it is at low rpm. I am afraid that if this is not fixed a fuel leak could occur in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, which could increase the risk of a fire
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
We was driving 3 days ago at night was heavy raining and the passenger bag deployed for not reason scare my daughter and I few bruises on her .
Filed with NHTSA, January 2022
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks second for owner complaints among 6 A-Class years, about 2.0 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the first model year of the A-Class's fourth generation (2019–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Mercedes-Benz fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
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.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A220, 2020 CLA250, GLB250, AMG A35, AMG CLA45, AMG CLA35, and 2021 GLA250 vehicles. The vehicles may not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads. In addition, information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems.".
Risk: Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install an inspection gauge and provide supplemental owner's manual information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
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.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 AMG GLB35, 2019-2020 A220, and 2020 GLB250 vehicles. The integral carrier that supports the front axle may corrode, causing it to fail.
Risk: Front axle carrier failure may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the integral carrier, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022070009.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.
Mercedes-Benz LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2020 C300, 2019-2020 A220, AMG C43, AMG C63, 2020 GLE580, GLB250, 2020-2021 GLE450, GLE350, 2021 AMG GLE63, and AMG GLE53 vehicles. The LED headlights may have been incorrectly adjusted during a vehicle repair. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: Incorrectly adjusted headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the LED headlights, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 13, 2021. A second notice will be sent once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.
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.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 A220 vehicles. Certain labels containing important information such as tire pressure may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.".
Risk: If the tires are inflated to an incorrect tire pressure, the tires may be overloaded, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for the labels and apply them, as 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 2021020019.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 A220 vehicles. The air conditioning condensation drain hose may not be installed properly. This may allow water to enter the driver and passenger foot wells and the center tunnel area, potentially damaging certain electrical components.
Risk: Water entering electrical components, can result in malfunctions of the supplemental restraint system (SRS), failure to start, activation of the limp-home mode while driving, and an impairment of other features, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose installation, correcting it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020070013.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 A220 and A220 4MATIC vehicles. In certain operating conditions, the rearview camera software may cause a delay in displaying the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply to Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors.".
Risk: A delayed rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the car, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030018.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A 220 and A 220 4MATIC, 2020 CLA 250, CLA 250 4 MATIC, GLC 300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC vehicles. The driver's side front airbag modules may not have been properly bolted down.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's front airbag, the airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver airbag module and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019100001.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 A220 and A220 4MATIC vehicles. Due to improper welding, the pedal plate may bend, impairing the operation of the brake pedal.
Risk: Impaired operation of the brake pedal may increase the risk of crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welding of the brake pedal, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019050002.
Cars shoppers compare with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
