01-01-0001:
On diesel manuals that undergo a lot of gear changing the clutch spline can dry out and need regular greasing. Front suspension vulnerable to damage by speed cushions if driver brakes too hard, too late. Also not suitable for rough tracks.
One report of injector failure on a 2005 A200 CVT.
One complaint of 'sticking' in gear if left in gear with the clutch down when stopped. MB dealer Tony Purslow suggests clutch assembly (not release bearing) is sticking on spigot shaft, special grease should be used with MB part number.
One complaint of repeated fuel sender pump failures eventually necessitating a new fuel tank, then an ECU problem with the same car (an A150).
TSB reprogramming of the Command system also seems to reprogramme the Autotronic ECVT control system, locking out top gear. MB is working on a fix, but can mean an decrease in economy from around 48mpg to around 40mpg. ( Possibly same ZF CF23 CVT at the Forc C-Max and Focus 1.6TDCI auto?)
Brake discs only seem to last about 3 years and around 25,000 miles before dealers advise expensive replacement.
One disenchanted owner wrote, "In a six month period the driver's window control became erratic, the passenger door lock failed (apparently a fault not unique to the A-Class), the hose to the rear screen-wash became detached and flooded the tailgate, the "fan" belt started squealing (3 hours to fix in a MB main dealer) and the simulated leather on the driver's seat started to split."
Diesel engines used for repeated short runs from cold are prone to problems with the glowplugs that corrode into the cylinder head due to condensation.
24-02-2011:
One report of flywheel seal failure, necessitatig removal of engine and transmission (a very difficult job) and a bill of £1,800.
01-07-2011:
Weld seals on hatchbacks fail leading to premature rusting. MB will normally pay 80% of the cost of the repair. But if buying, check this area carefully.
18-08-2011:
Autotronic CVT valve bodies are starting to fail after 6 years and around 70k miles. Cost around £1,250 to replace.
22-02-2012:
By 2012 numerous reports of rusted doors and hatchbacks on 2005/2006 A-Class, some replaced under warranty, others leading to disputes. Forum Thread Link.
25-04-2012:
Another Autotronic CVT failure reported, this time on a 27,500 mile 2007 A170. MB dealer quoted first £5,000, then £3,900 to replace the transmission, but might have been no more than the valve body. Referred to King Automatics
13-06-2012:
Drains to bulkhead vent well can become blocked leading to saturation and failure of satnav (if fitted).
10-04-2013:
Another report of inside/outside rust perforation, this time both side doors (of a 3 door) and the hatchback lid of a 2005/55 reg. Quoted £3,500 by MB dealer to replace the doors and hatch, with 50% contribution from the owner who thought he had a 30 year no perforation warranty.
27-05-2013:
Problem with persistent failure of brake light switches on 2010 A180 leading to false messages such as "ESP & flat run indicator not operative".
12-02-2014:
A further case of rusty door bottoms, these on a 25,500 mile 2006 Mercedes A200 Turbo. Unfortunately, after 3 Mercedes services the car has been independently serviced so Mercedes would only offer to pay half the £1,900 rectification costs.
30-06-2014:
Another failure of Autotronic CVT transmission, this on a 56k mile 2008 A180 Avantgarde. Warning light indicated a problem with the transmission. MB Specialist diagnostics showed error codes 0793 & 0722 for the electronic sensors in the gearbox. The solution is to have the valve body replaced with parts and labour from MB quoted at £1,750. Car had not had the very necessary transmission fluid change at 4 years/37k miles.
11-07-2015:
Offside front brake calliper of 2012 W169 A-Class failed at 37 months old. Subsequently, driveshaft failed. Independent said no driveshaft available in Europe to repair it, and until owner places an order which then cannot be cancelled, he will not be given an ETA for delivery of the part. Eventually found a used part from a breaker for £162.50. Meanwhile, MBUK confirmed that the parts were in stock in the UK and were readily available, guessing that the independent ordered the wrong part number.
04-11-2015:
Report of failure of ignition steering lock module on 2010 A-Class. Cost £643.20 to replace.
07-02-2016:
Bizarre problem reporterd with 2010 A-Class 1.5 petrol after a service at Mercedes dealer. The ECO system kicks-in and the engine dies. Engage clutch and the engine starts as normal but all the electrics go off: lights, radio and PAS, only for them all to return gradually over about 10-15 seconds. The engine diagnostic warning light then often comes on, or the ABS warning light, and the ECO light usually goes out, although these phenomena are not guaranteed. The car has been back to the Main agent twice and is booked in for a third time but so far they cannot duplicate the fault and the diagnostics read-out shows no report. Problem eventually diagnosed as "failing auxiliary battery used for the Eco system."
16-07-2017:
Report of rising engine oil level in Mercedes-Benz W168 A180CDI. Suspect diesel from failed active regeneration of DPF.
27-02-2018:
Report of strut top mounts/bearings clunking on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz A160 Autotronic.
09-08-2018:
Report of door bottoms rusting through on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
01-11-2018:
Report of intermittently sticking driver's window on 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. "N ow seems to have a mind of it’s own and comes back open or does not completely open/shut with coaxing." Probably moisture in the locking and windoews ECU inside the driver's door.
18-08-2019:
Report of problems with Autotronic CVT transmission of 2011 Mercedes-Benz A 160 classic se cvt. At 37,538 miles the 'Transmission Consult Workshop' sign came up on the dash and the car had intermittent drive power. On 12-11-18 owner took it to a Mercedes repair centre and duly paid £84 for a diagnostic report. He was told that it was the gearbox speed sensor module and advised that the relevant part would be sent away for specialist repair. On 3-12-18 he collected my car and settled the £800+ bill. On 2-1-19 the same signal appeared on the dash at 37,591 miles. He again took the car in and the garage duly dealt with the matter. I collected the car on 24-1-19 - mileage 37,742 - no charge. On 2-8-19 at 39,660 he experienced the same signal and drive problem and yet again returned the car to the centre. On 9-8-19 they called to say it was "the same fault" and they spoke again on 16-8-19. Their technician wanted to send the gearbox for a specialist flush and they wanted owner's go ahead. Apparently this would eliminate the possibility that metal filings / swarf being the cause and if this was the case then costs could fall to the owner. They could not offer any estimate at the time. See 30-6-2014, 25-4-2012 and 18-8-2011.
February 2005
New A-Class launched
Mercedes Code W169. More sharply styled, more car-like A Class in 3 and 5 door versions. 3,838mm long by 1,764mm wide by 1,595mm high. Standard tyres sizes seem to be 185/65 x 15 or 195/55 x 16.
Base engine 95PS 1,498cc 1.5 twin cam, plus 116PS 1.7, 134PS 2.0 and 193PS 2.0 Turbo. 2.0 litre diesels with 82PS, 109PS or 140PS. In UK from early 2005. Vastly better than old A Class. Has the feeling of solidity a Mercedes ought to have. 193bhp A 200 Turbo from October 2005, from £20,695 on the road for 3-dr and £21,295 for 5-dr. Insurance Group 14E. 2,035 cc, 193 hp and 280 Nm. 0-60 mph 7.2 seconds with standard six-speed manual gearbox (reduced to 7.1 seconds with optional AUTOTRONIC CVT), top speed 141 mph, 34.9 mpg combined, CO2 192 g/km.
A low fuel consumption of just 62.8 mpg – corresponding to CO2 emissions of 119 g/km – is a key feature of the A 160 CDI, due to be launched in June 2008. The reduction in fuel consumption can be attributed to intelligent optimisation in all relevant vehicle components.
July 2008
Facelifted Summer 2008 and made safer, more economical and greener than before. The design has been revised and new technical developments have further enhanced levels of safety with crash responsive lighting and adaptive brake lights. The car is more comfortable as a result of new interior materials, with improved adjustment and support in the seats. All models have new infotainment systems with Bluetooth connectivity, and the engines are now more fuel efficient as a result of three new BlueEFFICIENCY models.