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2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Gas
Subcompact Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
80 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA11
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA29 mpg
2022202120202019

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the A220, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 11 complaints, most often about the electrical system.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
A220GasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo253629$2,650
A220 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo253428$2,750
AMG A35 4maticGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222925$3,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43037, 43036, 43148.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

310,667 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskA vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. 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 July 31, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V481000reported Jul 24, 2026Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

See Recall Schedule
242,722 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskA 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.FixThe 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V365000reported May 20, 2022Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

2021050012
343,191 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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."RiskA backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.FixThe 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V354000reported May 14, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
●moderate

Child Seat

2021020004
231 vehicles
ProblemMercedes-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.RiskIf 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.FixMBUSA 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V034000reported Jan 29, 2021Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
11complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 3

Most-cited components

Electrical System4
Back Over Prevention3
Unspecified2
Power Train2
Vehicle Speed Control1
Service Brakes1

What owners describe

“My 2021 Mercedes-Benz A220 (M260 2.0L engine) triggered diagnostic fault code P052E, indicating a failure of the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) regulator valve / intake line assembly. Failure of this valve disrupts crankcase pressure, causing unmetered air intake, lean-running conditions, and engine hesitation/st…”Aug 27, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Sunroof shattered unexpectedly. Was driving and gun shot sound was the was top sunroof shattering. Was on smooth road going 45 mph with no other vehicle in front or behind.”Feb 13, 2026 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report
“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 accelerato…”Jan 28, 2026 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other A-Class model years

B

2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

2 recalls · 3 complaints

F

2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

10 recalls · 21 complaints

F

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

14 recalls · 46 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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