2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220 has 3 complaints and 128 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report sudden engine shutdowns while driving, accompanied by mechanical odors, ticking noises, and dashboard alerts. Attempts to restart or shift the vehicle into neutral fail, leaving the vehicle immobile in traffic and creating hazardous situations.
Common Issues
- Engine shutdown. The vehicle abruptly stops while in motion without prior warning, causing loss of power and control.
- Mechanical odor and noises. Owners describe a strong mechanical smell and ticking sounds coinciding with the engine failure.
- Dashboard alerts. Warning messages appear simultaneously with the shutdown events.
- Inability to restart. The engine cannot be restarted after shutting down in traffic.
- Failure to shift into neutral. Owners and even police cannot manually override or shift the vehicle, leaving it stuck and blocking roadways.
- Safety risk in traffic. Disabled vehicles cause near-accidents as other drivers do not realize the car is inoperable due to its undamaged appearance.
- Alleged starter motor issue disputed. Manufacturer claims starter motor defect, but complaints indicate the problem originates in the powertrain or electrical system.
- Maintenance history. Complaints indicate vehicles were well-maintained and not misused.
There are 128 recalls affecting this vehicle, covering multiple systems including communication modules, backup camera functionality, and child seat anchoring. Most recalls address software defects or missing components that affect safety and usability.
Recalls
- Communication module. Recall 22V365000 affects 242,722 vehicles including the 2021 A 220. The defect involves SIM card software errors causing mobile network failure and disabling the emergency call (eCall) system. This prevents occupants from contacting emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury. The fix is a free over-the-air or dealer software update. Owner notifications were mailed starting July 2022 and will continue in phases.
- Backup camera system. Recall 21V354000 affects 343,191 vehicles including the 2021 A 220. Multimedia system software may cause the rearview camera image to remain black or reboot after startup, failing to comply with federal rear visibility standards. The risk is reduced rearview visibility increasing crash hazards. The remedy is a free dealer or over-the-air software update. Owner notices began mailing in June 2021.
- Child seat anchoring system. Recall 21V034000 affects 231 vehicles including the 2021 A 220. The ISOFIX bracket on the right-rear seat may be missing the anchoring bar, preventing proper child restraint attachment and increasing injury risk. Dealers will inspect and replace the bracket if needed at no charge. Notifications began in March 2021.
Owners facing repeated powertrain failures, electrical malfunctions, or unresolved safety recalls may have protections under state lemon laws. Consulting a qualified professional could help clarify potential rights related to these issues.
2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220 Summary
2021
Model Year
3
Total Complaints
3
Total Recalls
586144
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220
242722 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220
231 vehicles affected
CHILD SEAT
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.
2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220
343191 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
Complaints
2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220
ID: 2090436POWER TRAIN
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.
2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220
ID: 2090435ENGINE
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.
2021 MERCEDES-BENZ A 220
ID: 2090434ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.