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Model-year record

2021 Mercedes A-Class
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2021 Mercedes A-Class

See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.

This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.

The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.

Complaints filed

9

Reports to NHTSA, 2021

Safety recalls

0

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

No data

EPA estimate

Known issues

Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (33% of 9 reports), followed by power train (22%).

Electrical System33% · 3 reports
Power Train22% · 2 reports
Back Over Prevention11% · 1 report
Seat Belts11% · 1 report
Unknown Or Other11% · 1 report
Vehicle Speed Control11% · 1 report

Share of all 9 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11432378, ODI 11432005, ODI 11427876.

Individual complaint reports(9)

Showing the 9 most recent reports
Power TrainJan 2026 · ODI 11714047Details +

this is a formal notification regarding my vehicle that I purchased at House Of Imports on February 27, 2021. A Mercedes Benz A-Class 220 year 2021, VIN #W1K3G4EB7MJ290124. Shortly after purchase I experienced several safety concerns about the vehicle. The first and main concern are while driving vehicle the accelerator stopped working ,vehicle would not move forward or back which put my life in a dangerous situation due to this isssue that occured while on a main street with incoming traffic. Immediately I made an a report with dealer and car was taken to dealership ( House Of Imports) . The advisor told me it was a software issue and they updated the system which they said vehicle will not have that issue again. Several things were replaced which ai have the repair documents. The second issue with the vehicle was about 3 weeks from this date today I turned on my vehicle to exit my garage I put the gear on Reverse and it did not move , I tried to move thr car forward meaning putting the gear on Drive and still nothing happened, after several attempts nothing happened. I decided to turn off the vehicle and a few hours later turned it back on and I was able to drive. The third issue was just last week January 19, 2026 I turned on vehicle to exit my garage and again the car would not move back or forward. I tried changing gears multiple times for about 20 minutes but car never moved it seemed completely stuck. The following day I had to get the car towed to House Of Imports, and it has been at dealer since then. Due to this situation I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle, I don't consider the vehicle is in proper safety functioning condition and it's not corresponding to the value paid. For this matter I respectfully request an immediate solution.

Reported
Jan 2026
Incident date
Jan 2026
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11714047 at NHTSA →
Power TrainMay 2025 · ODI 11660206Details +

While driving my lease vehicle on two separate days, it completely shut down while in motion with no prior warning. The first incident occurred while crossing a MAX train intersection in downtown Portland. The engine stopped mid intersection, emitted a strong mechanical odor, ticking noises began, and dashboard alerts appeared. I could not restart or shift the vehicle into neutral. It was stuck, blocking the intersection. Although hazard lights were flashing, the vehicle appeared completely undamaged, so other drivers didn’t realize it was disabled. Police were called to the scene, and we had to remain alert for oncoming trains and traffic weaving around us. Four days later, while driving about 30 MPH on Murray Boulevard near Cornell Rd, a 4-lane hwy near a freeway off-ramp the car failed again in the exact same way. The engine shut down in active traffic. The smell, ticking sounds, and dashboard messages all returned. The vehicle once again would not shift into neutral or respond to restarts. This failure happened with traffic traveling 30-45MPH. Despite police presence and hazard lights, multiple near-accidents occurred because the vehicle looked fully intact and other drivers didn’t understand it was inoperable. Mercedes-Benz claimed this was a starter motor issue, which is inaccurate. A starter motor does not cause a moving vehicle to shut off, nor does it lock out neutral. These symptoms point to a critical failure of the powertrain or electrical system. Most alarming is the inability to manually override the system and move the vehicle to safety. Bystanders and even police were unable to shift or push it. This is a serious design flaw that turns a technical malfunction into a dangerous roadside emergency. This vehicle was in pristine condition with no damage or misuse. I kept up with all maintenance and care. Technology should never prevent human intervention during failure. These incidents placed lives at serious risk.

Reported
May 2025
Incident date
Apr 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11660206 at NHTSA →
Back Over PreventionMay 2024 · ODI 11590984Details +

Rear view camera says it is inoperative when I put it in reverse. I understand that a number of Mercedes models have been recalled due to a software issue but the dealer tells me my car is not on the list. The problem I have is identical to the other models. My car should be on the list

Reported
May 2024
Incident date
May 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11590984 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJan 2023 · ODI 11500556Details +

there’s a recall, and I need it fixed asap, i called mercedes and they said they don’t know when they’ll be able to do it, that it could take “years” ??????

Reported
Jan 2023
Incident date
Dec 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11500556 at NHTSA →
Seat BeltsNov 2022 · ODI 11494675 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

The driver’s seatbelt failed to properly engage during a high-speed rear-end collision allowing his head and face to strike the steering wheel causing a loss of consciousness and other symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Thus far the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer but it is believed the seat belt was inspected by EMTs responding to the scene. Additional documentation will be provided when received. There were no warnings or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. This report is filed on behalf of the owner and driver by their attorney.

Reported
Nov 2022
Incident date
Nov 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11494675 at NHTSA →
Vehicle Speed ControlFeb 2022 · ODI 11453148Details +

Traveling at 65 MPH in the right-hand lane * Driving Assistance ON * Traffic Sign Assist ON * Speed Limit Adoption ON Staying in the right-hand lane, I pass by an offramp Sudden deceleration to 20 MPH – Phantom braking This has happened twice traveling past the same offramp. Since, I have turned the Speed Limit Adoption OFF Note that this particular off ramp has more than one speed limit sign (yellow) visible from the freeway. My guess is that the Mercedes is reading the off ramp signs and interpreting them to be for the freeway and not for the off ramp. I consider the sudden deceleration to be dangerous

Reported
Feb 2022
Incident date
Feb 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11453148 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemSep 2021 · ODI 11432378Details +

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz A220. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle, the rearview camera screen was blank. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was made aware that NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System) was associated with the VIN. The dealer informed the contact that she was added to the waiting list. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Reported
Sep 2021
Incident date
Aug 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11432378 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemSep 2021 · ODI 11432005Details +

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz A220. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V354000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 experienced the failure listed in the recall. Parts distribution disconnect.

Reported
Sep 2021
Incident date
Mar 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11432005 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemAug 2021 · ODI 11427876Details +

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz A220. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V354000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the recall but referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the recall was an over the air update (OTA) but had not provided a time frame for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Reported
Aug 2021
Incident date
May 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11427876 at NHTSA →

Recalls

No recalls are listed for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change when NHTSA publishes new information.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 4 DR 4WD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 4 DR FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

No EPA fuel-economy record is available for this model year. Some trims and older vehicles were not tested or are not in the current EPA feed.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

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Compare the year-by-year record

Open another year for its own evidence-gated decision. TireKick does not crown a best year from raw complaint totals.

2021 Mercedes A-Class: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Mercedes A-Class?

Owners filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Mercedes A-Class. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.

What are the most common problems on the 2021 Mercedes A-Class?

The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (33% of complaints) and power train (22%).

How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes A-Class have?

No safety recalls are on record for the 2021 Mercedes A-Class as of Jul 2026.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes A-Class get?

EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2021 Mercedes A-Class aren't available yet.