2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class has mixed reliability. There are 10 recalls and 52 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Severity signals include 7 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (10), Electrical System (6), Vehicle Speed Control (4).

A-Class reliability snapshot

48/100

Latest model-year reliability score

2.0/5

RepairPal rating (overall)

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Mercedes-Benz A-Class before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Years to avoidThe weakest years and stronger alternatives Common problemsComplaint patterns across model years Recall historyNHTSA campaigns grouped by model year

Most-reported 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

Power Train10
Electrical System6
Vehicle Speed Control4
Unknown Or Other4
Steering4
Service Brakes4

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

Inspect transmission for gear shifting issues, especially from Park to other gears
Check for water intrusion in the trunk and sunroof areas
Test brakes for immediate engagement and listen for squealing noises
Verify fuel pump operation and inspect for water damage in the spare tire area
Test infotainment system for freezing or rebooting issues
Inspect tires for abnormal wear and check tire pressure stability
Test low beam headlights for adequate illumination at night

What owners reported

2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 7 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints10

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class frequently report issues with the transmission, particularly difficulty shifting gears. Complaints commonly mention an inability to shift from Park to other gears, and from Drive to Reverse, often requiring the engine to be restarted to resolve the issue temporarily. These problems are noted to occur intermittently and seem to become more frequent over time, with some reports indicating recurrence for several years. One owner reports a crash related to the vehicle lunging forward unexpectedly while stopped. Additionally, some owners describe violent jerking when downshifting and unintended rolling when the vehicle is shut off in Drive. These issues are typically observed after several years of ownership or around 60,000 miles, suggesting potential concerns for used car buyers regarding reliability and safety.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints6

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class report several issues related to the electrical system. A recurring problem involves water intrusion, particularly through the sunroof, which has led to battery damage in some cases. Another common issue is with the vehicle's information monitor, which freezes and reboots, affecting navigation and other functions. Some complaints also highlight problems with the fuel pump and telematics system, with one report noting a crash due to unintended acceleration. These issues are reported at mileages ranging from approximately 49,000 to 81,000 miles, and some involve safety implications, such as potential stalling or unintended acceleration.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints5

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class report several issues related to the service brakes. Complaints frequently mention premature brake pad wear, with one owner needing brake replacement after only 9,000 miles and another after 14,000 miles. Multiple owners describe symptoms such as brakes not engaging immediately, loud squealing noises, and brake pads going metal to metal without warning indicators. These problems often occur between 9,000 and 37,873 miles. Safety implications are noted, with one owner experiencing a delay in brake response that required evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision. This information is relevant for potential buyers considering the maintenance history and brake system reliability of this vehicle model.

Owner complaints4

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class report issues related to unintended acceleration and challenges with vehicle speed control. Complaints frequently mention sudden acceleration incidents, often leading to crashes, with one report detailing severe vehicle damage and a driver injury when the car accelerated uncontrollably from a parked position. Another common issue involves the cruise control system, where the set speed cannot be cleared unless the vehicle is stopped and the engine is turned off, causing potential safety risks. These incidents occur at various mileage ranges, with one report at approximately 91,000 miles. Prospective buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly the safety implications associated with unintended acceleration and cruise control malfunctions.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints4

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners report several issues with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, primarily involving safety and operational failures. One significant pattern involves the loss of core safety and emergency communication systems, such as E-Call/SOS and crash notification, due to the discontinuation of backend support, leaving these functions inoperative. Another complaint details an incident where the vehicle caught fire during basic driving, with no prior issues or modifications noted. Additionally, a separate report describes a sudden engagement of the parking brake while driving, which stopped the vehicle abruptly and required extensive dealership intervention. These complaints highlight potential safety risks, including fire hazards and unexpected vehicle stoppages, which could be critical for prospective buyers to consider.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints4

STEERING

Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class report issues with the steering system, particularly involving sudden and uncontrollable swerving. Complaints frequently mention that the vehicle unexpectedly veers or spins out of control, often without any preceding warning lights or discernible triggers. One incident resulted in a low-speed collision due to electric power steering failure, with a diagnostic revealing a steering rack short and communication issues with the electric power steering control unit. These issues are reported across different driving conditions and speeds, with one complaint noting the problem occurred at approximately 8,000 miles. The safety implications include potential loss of control and the risk of accidents, as evidenced by the reported crash.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints3

FUEL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 frequently report issues related to water intrusion affecting the fuel system, specifically the fuel pump control unit. Common symptoms include the vehicle failing to start or stalling unexpectedly while driving, sometimes at high speeds such as 70 MPH. These issues are often observed around 50,000 to 132,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control due to stalling. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and verify if recall repairs have been completed, as some owners report delays in part availability for necessary repairs.

Owner complaints3

TIRES

Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class report issues primarily related to tire condition and pressure. A common symptom described is abnormal tire wear, with some owners noting critically low tread on multiple tires around 20,000 miles. Another frequently mentioned issue is tire pressure loss, with one owner experiencing a recurring drop from 38 PSI to 32 PSI, eventually leading to a sidewall bubble. There are also reports of a tire blowout occurring at approximately 35,040 miles. While no crashes or loss of control are reported, the described tire failures and pressure issues could pose safety risks. This information may be particularly relevant for used car buyers considering vehicles with similar mileage.

Owner complaints3

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Owners report issues with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class exterior lighting, specifically with the low beam headlights. Complaints frequently mention inadequate illumination while driving at night, with some owners expressing difficulty seeing without using high beams. One owner notes that the dealership adjusted the bulb locations, but the problem persisted. The failure occurs at low mileage, around 20 miles in one instance. Safety implications include potential difficulty in detecting pedestrians or obstacles in poorly lit areas, although no crashes or injuries are reported.

Owner complaints2

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class report issues with the airbag system, specifically non-deployment during a crash and warning lights indicating potential malfunctions. One complaint describes a crash where airbags did not deploy, resulting in an injury, while another mentions a persistent airbag warning light and a message indicating a front left airbag malfunction at approximately 46,000 miles. These reports suggest safety implications, particularly regarding the airbag system's reliability in critical situations. Used car buyers should be aware of these issues and consider having the airbag system inspected before purchase.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

2018 A-Class recalls (9)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2018 A-Class. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

STRUCTURENHTSA 23V854000Dec 15, 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-197.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 22V955000Dec 23, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012-2014 ML550, 2012-2015 ML350, AMG ML63, 2015 ML250, ML400, 2016 GLE450, GLE300, 2016-2018 GLE350, GLE550, 2016-2019 GLE400, 2017-2019 AMG GLE43, and 2016-2020 AMG GLE63 vehicles. Water might accumulate in the spare tire wheel well and damage the fuel pump control unit, which could cause an engine stall while driving.
Consequence: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install a water drain plug, inspect for water intrusion, and replace the fuel pump control unit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010002 and 2023010003.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, COMMUNICATIONNHTSA 22V365000May 20, 2022
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.
Consequence: 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.
STRUCTURENHTSA 21V197000Mar 19, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Consequence: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
TIRESNHTSA 21V123000Feb 26, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLE350, GLE43 AMG, and GLE400 vehicles equipped with Continental tires. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030008.
COMMUNICATIONNHTSA 21V072000Feb 12, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, COMMUNICATIONNHTSA 21V058000Feb 5, 2021
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.
Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Remedy
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNHTSA 18V539000Aug 16, 2018
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic, GLE350, GLS450 4Matic, GLS550 4matic, GLE43 AMG 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic, and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may not have been correctly coated, causing gas to become temporarily released into the rear brake hydraulic circuit, reducing braking performance.
Consequence: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear axle brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080013.
VISIBILITYNHTSA 18V512000Aug 3, 2018
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, and GLE43 AMG vehicles. During manufacturing, components of the panoramic sunroof may have been installed with a bonding primer that was incorrectly made, possibly affecting the long-term adhesion to the vehicle.
Consequence: If the front cover and/or rear fixed glass are not properly adhered, they may detach, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the panoramic sunroof, replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 7, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080006.

How the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Audi A4

Reliability: 81/100·Rivalry score: 95

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BMW 3-Series

Reliability: 76/100·Rivalry score: 90

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Lexus IS

Reliability: 87/100·Rivalry score: 88

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Acura Integra

Reliability: 76/100·Rivalry score: 85

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Reliability verdict for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class presents an elevated reliability risk, scoring well below the segment average. With a score of 48/100, it indicates potential concerns for prospective buyers. The model's ten recalls suggest a higher-than-average need for manufacturer interventions, reflecting underlying issues that may affect long-term dependability.

Complaints are moderately concentrated in the power train, with additional issues in the electrical system and service brakes, indicating a pattern of mechanical and electronic vulnerabilities. These concerns are further compounded by problems in vehicle speed control and other unspecified areas, suggesting a broader distribution of issues.

Overall, the 2018 A-Class's reliability is below par for its segment, and potential buyers should be aware of the elevated risk associated with its maintenance and performance.

What you get in a 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class report

Available title brand history

Odometer readings & rollback detection

Accident & damage records

Auction sales with photos

Open safety recalls

Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable?

How many recalls does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class have?

9 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class problems?

The most-reported 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class problem areas are: Power Train (10), Electrical System (6), Vehicle Speed Control (4).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.