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2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 problems

The most common problem on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 is driver assistance and stability. It has fewer complaints than a typical A 220 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
78/100
Owner complaints
10
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
2193 warranty
Worst area
Driver assistance

The worst 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Driver assistance
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Driver assistance
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 4

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: lockReported July 24, 2026 · 310,667 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning July 31, 2026.

Recall number 26V481000 · Recall details

Electrical system: softwareReported May 20, 2022 · 242,722 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 22V365000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraReported May 14, 2021 · 343,191 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 21V354000 · Recall details

Child seat: vehicle latch anchorReported January 29, 2021 · 231 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 A220, A35 AMG, and CLA250 vehicles. The child seat anchoring system (ISOFIX) may be missing the right-side anchoring bar from the ISOFIX bracket on the right-rear seat.
Risk
If the anchoring bar is missing from the ISOFIX bracket, the child restraint cannot be properly secured to the seat using the ISOFIX securing system, increasing the risk of injury for a child in that seat.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right-rear ISOFIX bracket and replace the bracket, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020004.

Recall number 21V034000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 219

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 219 bulletins for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220

What 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Visibility · CA

Safety Complaint: Windshield Wipers Would Not Turn Off – Mercedes-Benz In October 2025, at approximately 12,000 miles, the windshield wipers on my Mercedes-Benz malfunctioned and would not turn off using the vehicle’s controls. The issue occurred both while driving and while the vehicle was stationary, under normal weather conditions. The malfunction prevented me from maintaining normal control of the windshield wiper system. The wipers continued operating despite my attempts to turn them off. Their constant movement distracted me while driving and obstructed my view or affected visibility. I experienced a near-miss situation in connection with this malfunction, creating a serious safety concern for me and potentially other road users. A warning light or message was ot sometimes present in connection with the issue or appeared beforehand. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by an independent repair facility, and the malfunction was confirmed by a service center. The entire steering column was replaced due to electrical wiring issue. I am concerned that this malfunction may reflect a defect in the windshield wiper control system or related vehicle electronics (steering column). The inability to turn off the windshield wipers, combined with the resulting visibility and distraction concerns and the crash or near-miss situation, presents a potential vehicle safety defect. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document this incident, review similar complaints involving Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and determine whether further investigation or corrective action is warranted.

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Transmission · CA

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.

Filed May 10, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OR

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.

Filed May 28, 2024 · Driver assistance · NY

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

Filed Jan 7, 2023 · CA

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” ??????

Filed Nov 23, 2022 · Seat belts · FL · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Feb 20, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

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

Filed Sep 9, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 10,000 miles · CA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Sep 7, 2021 · Electrical · DE

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes Benz A220. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Aug 5, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · VA

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz A220. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Compare the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220

Other model years

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Questions about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 reliable?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220, fewer than a typical A 220 model year.

What is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 year score?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 scores 78 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes-Benz A 220: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220?

Driver assistance and stability, with 4 complaints. Next is electrical (4).

How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 have?

4 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages, electrical system and back over prevention.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A 220 driver assistance?

Yes, 1 recall: 21V354000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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