2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class has mixed reliability. There are 15 recalls and 11 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Severity signals include 1 crash-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Electrical System (4), Power Train (2), Unknown Or Other (2).
A-Class reliability snapshot
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.
Most-reported 2021 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.
- Electrical System4
- Power Train2
- Unknown Or Other2
- Back Over Prevention1
- Seat Belts1
- Vehicle Speed Control1
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 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.
- Test rearview camera for blank screen when reversing
- Verify recall repairs have been completed, especially for electrical system
- Check for sudden loss of power or inability to shift gears
- Inspect for any dashboard fault lights related to active rear wing
- Ensure vehicle can shift into neutral and restart after shutdown
2021 A-Class recalls (13)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 A-Class. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 24V100000Feb 9, 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 CLS450, E450, E450 All-Terrain, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, and 2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The 48-volt ground cable connection located in the engine compartment may not be tightened properly and may result in the ground cable overheating.
Consequence: An overheated ground cable increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the 48-volt ground cable connection and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024MMNNNN.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 23V880000Dec 21, 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.
Consequence: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 22V533000Jul 22, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AMG GT43, 2019-2022 AMG E53, E53 Coupe, E53 Cabriolet, AMG GT53, and 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The transmission wiring harness may be misrouted, which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair the electrical connector, as necessary. Dealers will also reroute the harness and install an additional bracket. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022080010.
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMNHTSA 22V042000Jan 28, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 AMG GT Black Series vehicles. The wiring harness for the front wheel speed sensor may be the incorrect length, which could result in damage to the harness during certain driving conditions.
Consequence: A damaged speed sensor wiring harness can impair dynamic control functions, such as stability and traction control, and anti-lock brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 18, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- AIR BAGSNHTSA 21V527000Jul 12, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.
Consequence: Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021070032/33.
- 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.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 21V354000May 14, 2021
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."
Consequence: 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.
- CHILD SEATNHTSA 21V034000Jan 29, 2021
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.
Consequence: 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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 24V445000Jun 14, 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLS 53 4MATIC, 2019-2023 E 53 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 53 4MATIC Coupe, E 53 4MATIC Sedan, 2021-2024 GT 43 4MATIC, and 2019-2025 GT 53 4MATIC vehicles. The transmission wiring harness connection might not have been correctly wired during a prior recall repair, and during production. which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the two-part wiring harness and connector, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 9, 2024. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024100002/3. This recall supersedes recall 22V-533. Vehicles repaired under the prior recall will still need to have the new remedy performed.
- SEAT BELTSNHTSA 21V483000Jun 25, 2021
Mercedes-Benz, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 G550, AMG G63, E350, E450, AMG CLS53, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, AMG GT63, 2021-2022 CLS450, and AMG E63 vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owners notified of the voluntary recall campaign by an interim letter on August 13, 2021. A final letter was mailed on September 24, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- SEATS, AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTSNHTSA 21V230000Apr 1, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLC, CLS, AMG GT 4-door Coupe and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch may prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash.
Consequence: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040016.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 21V217000Mar 26, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 E63S AMG, E63S AMG Wagon, 2019-2021 AMG GT63 4-door, and AMG GT63S 4-door vehicles. The starter motor positive cable may not have been installed correctly, potentially allowing the power supply harness wires to chafe.
Consequence: Damaged wires may cause a short circuit and result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Also, a short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, correct the screw connections and position of the positive cable, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040013.
- 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.
2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class on the road
8,108 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2021 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.
Reliability verdict for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class demonstrates elevated reliability risk, scoring below the segment average. With a score of 58 out of 100, the A-Class falls short in comparison to its peers, indicating potential concerns for prospective buyers. The 15 recalls represent an elevated count, suggesting a need for attention to manufacturing or design issues.
Complaints are relatively few but show a concentration in the electrical system, which could affect overall vehicle functionality and owner satisfaction. Other issues, including powertrain and safety-related concerns, are less frequent but still notable. As the third year in its generation, one might expect improvements over earlier models, yet the data suggests otherwise.
Overall, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class presents a higher reliability risk, warranting careful consideration for those prioritizing dependability.
What you get in a 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class report
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2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable?
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class demonstrates elevated reliability risk, scoring below the segment average. With a score of 58 out of 100, the A-Class falls short in comparison to its peers, indicating potential concerns for prospective buyers. The 15 recalls represent an elevated count, suggesting a need for attention to manufacturing or design issues.
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class have?
13 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class problems?
The most-reported 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class problem areas are: Electrical System (4), Power Train (2), Unknown Or Other (2).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.
