2024 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, brakes, and transmission. The 11 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

2024

Owner complaints: 21
Recalls: 9; 2 urgent
Crashes reported: 2; 1 injury
Reliability: Mixed; 50/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Two recalls on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.

Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing they were completed for this VIN.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

Electrical93 crashes
The most serious pattern is sudden acceleration at parking-lot speed, and it appears in all 3 crash reports. Drivers say the car surged over curbs or into a glass door with no warning chimes and no automatic braking. Other reports describe instrument and infotainment screens freezing or going black, exterior lights shutting off, the engine dying with flashing dash lights, and false parking or collision alarms that trigger hard braking. The screen and power failures show up around 8,000 to 9,600 miles. Several reports name other Mercedes models, including the C-Class, E350 and EQB.
Brakes21 crash
The car lurches forward into a wall while the brake pedal is fully pressed, according to the one detailed report, and that event ended in a crash. Only the left-side tires leave skid marks, which points to uneven braking. The owner suspects the brake-by-wire or stability control systems but has no confirmed cause. The second complaint refers to an attached document and gives no detail, so there is not enough here to show a broader pattern.
Transmission21 crash
Harsh, jerky shifting between 3rd and 4th gear at about 25 to 35 mph is the clearest drivability complaint. A dealer reproduces and documents it, but repeat visits do not fix it. The crash-flagged report is a design concern rather than a failure: once the airbags deploy, the engine cannot be restarted, which could strand the driver somewhere unsafe. Both reports name other Mercedes models, the S580 and C300, rather than the A-Class.
Seats2No crashes
The driver's seat slides backward on its own while the car is moving, including at highway speed and while pulling into traffic. Repeat dealer visits do not fix it. A separate report describes the passenger seat bouncing, vibrating and rattling over the road. Dealer technicians confirm that problem on a test drive but say they cannot repair it and send the owner to the manufacturer. Neither problem has a fix on record.
Suspension2No crashes
A creaking noise from the rear when stopping leads one owner to a severely rusted subframe. The mechanic advises against long trips until it is repaired, and the car has 120k miles on it. The other report is mostly about power loss, not suspension. The car loses all power at freeway speed and stops in the lane, stays unresponsive for several minutes, and does this twice. That report names the S580. With only 2 complaints, there is no clear suspension pattern yet.
Wheels and tires2No crashes
Bubbles form on the sidewalls of the factory Pirelli tires, and the tires lose air or go flat. Owners report it on 21-inch tires, sometimes on all four at once, and one report counts five flats in 40 days. A sudden loss of pressure while driving nearly causes a collision. Owners blame tires that cannot handle the car's weight, and one wants different rims, but the reports confirm no cause.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints A-Class owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Electrical

I was driving and all of a sudden a loud sound started occurring and the sound appeared to come from my breaks as if they were about to give out. The car is currently at Mercedes getting looked at. I’m concerned for my safety as I have taken this car in for two other issues in the last couple of months.

Filed with NHTSA, June 2024

Electrical

For two months my EQB has been signaling high voltage when I charge it also now I’m having a problem connecting the plug to charge my car it shows red light has faulty it’s at the shop for a week now and I haven’t gotten updates about my car the cameras as well are turning black not working.

Filed with NHTSA, February 2025

How the 2024 compares with other A-Class years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2024 ranks third for owner complaints among 6 A-Class years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2024 Average of other years

Electrical95
Brakes21
Transmission23
Seats20
Suspension20
Wheels and tires21

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.

26V073000ElectricalPark outsideFeb 2026
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 EQB 250+, 2022-2024 EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
Risk: A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Also, owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. This recall replaces recalls 25V050 and 25V894. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V050 or 25V894 will need to have the new remedy completed. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 13, 2026.
25V050000ElectricalPark outsideFeb 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2025 EQB 250, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC electric vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.
Risk: A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will update the battery management system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 22, 2025. This is a phased recall. Phase 1 owner letters were mailed on May 22, 2025. Phase 2 owner letters were mailed on October 31, 2025 and Phase 3 owner letters were mailed on December 12, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025040005.
25V533000SteeringAug 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2026 EQE and GLC vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. The steering coupling bolt may have been improperly tightened, allowing the steering coupling to loosen from the steering rack.
Risk: A loose steering coupling can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the steering coupling bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
25V253000Seat beltsMay 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2025 C 300, and 2023-2024 AMG C 43 vehicles. The driver-side seat belt cover may not be properly installed on the seat belt tensioner, which can cause the seat belt anchor to come loose.
Risk: A loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the seat belt covers, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025040012.
25V240000ElectricalApr 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024 E 350 4MATIC, E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain, and E 450 4MATIC vehicles. The 12-Volt and 48-Volt ground connections for the electrical wiring harness may not be secured properly, resulting in the ground connections overheating.
Risk: Overheated ground connections can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the 12-Volt and 48-Volt ground connections as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
25V129000ElectricalFeb 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4-door coupe, 2025 AMG GLC 63 S E Performance, GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe, AMG GT 63 S E Performance, 2023-2025 AMG S 63 E Performance, and 2024-2025 AMG SL 63 S E Performance vehicles with a hybrid powertrain. A software error may cause the high-voltage starter alternator control unit to fail, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the high-voltage starter alternator control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025030012.
24V862000TransmissionNov 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024 GLC 300 4MATIC, and S 580 4MATIC vehicles. The bolts that secure the rear axle differential to the rear axle carrier may come loose, which can result in a separation of the drive shaft from the rear axle differential.
Risk: Driveshaft separation can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair the rear axle differential bolt connection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120005.
24V115000ElectricalFeb 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C300, AMG C43, S580e, S580, Maybach S580, Maybach S680, AMG SL43, AMGSL63, GLC300, EQE350, EQE500, EQS450, EQS580, AMG EQS, 2023 S500, AMG SL55, AMG EQE, 2024 E350, E450, AMG C63e S, CLE300 Coupe, CLE450 Coupe, and GLC300 Coupe vehicles. The 80-Amp fuses may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the fuses to fail.
Risk: An 80-Amp fuse that fails can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024030008.
23V880000Fuel systemDec 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 GLE, GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, CLS, AMG GT, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on February 23, 2024, April 19, 2024, June 28, 2024, August 9, 2024, October 1, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 23V-445.