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Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 common faults.

2012–2018. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176

M 93 / CC BY-SA 3.0 de

What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

critical7

expensive1

The 7 speed dual clutch of the transverse MFA platform (7G-DCT / 724.0: A/B/CLA/GLA/GLB) started its early years with jerking and firmware faults; today most of the complaints trace back to the mechatronics unit (valve body and solenoids) and the electric oil pump.

Applies to the transmission MB7DCT.

7 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.

Official recall28 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.

Most recent: 1 September 2017

A12/1352/17Safety recallFire1 September 2017 · EU Safety Gate

The starter current limiter may be overloaded and overheat. As a consequence, the surrounding components could ignite, leading to a fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 01/09/2017

The authority's notice

A12/00017/22Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

A trapped particle may damage the sealing between the fuel rail and fuel injector, which could cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00040/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A weld on the seat-height adjustment system of the left-hand front seat may be defective and can break, causing the seat cushion to tilt forward in the event of a crash. As a result, the protective effect of the restraint system will be impaired, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00237/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The glass pane on the lifting/sliding panorama roof may not have been properly affixed. As a result, it may become completely detached, posing a risk to the following traffic.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00346/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The occupant classification system for the front passenger seat may not be calibrated in accordance with the specifications. Consequently, an installed child seat may be identified as a person or a small, light person as a child seat. As a result, the passenger airbag could be activated despite the presence of a child seat or the passenger airbag could fail to activate despite the presence of a person on the passenger seat, increasing the risk of injuries.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00488/20Safety recallEnvironmentno date · EU Safety Gate

Refrigerant of type R134a is used in the air conditioning system. As a result, the affected vehicles do not meet the requirements for type approval. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Type-approval directive.

Remedy: Type of economic operator to whom the measure(s) were ordered: Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00730/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The polycarbonate roof panel located between the windscreen and the panoramic roof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair. In such cases, the adhesive bonding could gradually deteriorate and the panel could become detached from the vehicle, posing a risk to other road users. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00857/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A bore hole in the universal joint on the steering shaft may have incorrect size. As a result, there could be play between the bearing fitted into the bore hole and the universal joint, which could cause the joint to become detached over time. This would impair the vehicle’s steerability, increasing the risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/00940/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The steering software may not correctly activate the fallback level in the event of a hardware failure. This could affect the power steering assistance and lead to the loss of steering capacity, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Update of the electric steering software Date of entry into force: Unknown Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01206/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The condensed water drainage hose of the air-conditioning system may not be properly fitted. In such a case condensed water from the air conditioning system could enter the passenger compartment of the vehicle, ending up in the footwells of the driver and passenger side and in the central tunnel. As a result, any electrical components installed there could be corroded and/or subjected to short circuits or leakage currents. As a consequence, the SRS control unit could stop working, the vehicle may fail to start, the engine emergency run could be activated while driving, and the functioning of other components (e.g. the fuel pump, automatic/manual emergency call) could be adversely affected.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01236/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel. In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0138/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A metal chip formed during the assembly process within the ESP hydraulic unit could block a non-return valve. As a consequence, the non-return valve might no longer be able to close, affecting performance of the brake-pedal. This could increase the risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0147/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The flat conductor of the starter wiring has been incorrectly positioned, damaging the insulation of the flat conductor. The direct contact between the flat conductor and the car body may consequently lead to a short circuit and fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0162/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

No perforation has been made in the outer covering of the instrument panel to enable the deployment of the passenger airbag. In the event of an accident involving deployment of the airbag at low temperatures, sharp edges could be created on the instrument panel in the airbag's deployment area, damaging the airbag. Moreover, parts of the instrument panel may become detached, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01763/20Safety recallEnvironment, Fire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The quantity of oil in the dual-clutch gearbox may be too low or too high. This can result in impaired torque transmission, gearbox failure and potentially increased CO2 emissions. In addition, in extreme driving situations, gearbox oil might leak onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic. Moreover, the leaking gearbox oil might come into contact with hot components, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01768/20Safety recallEnvironment, Fire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The quantity of oil in the dual-clutch gearbox may be too high. This can result in impaired torque transmission and potentially increased CO2 emissions. In addition, in extreme driving situations, gearbox oil might leak onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic. Moreover, the leaking gearbox oil might come into contact with hot components, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0267/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A bolt in the locking mechanism of the articulated trailer coupling is defective. It could break while a trailer is being towed and consequently the trailer could detach, thus increasing the risk of an accident for following traffic.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0269/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The locking mechanisms of the right and/or left backrest might not lock correctly. This might impair the restraining effect of the backrest so that in the event of an accident there would be an increased risk of injury to the occupants.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0457/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Following the update of the control unit coding, the coding parameters of the control unit could be defective. This could give rise to various unplanned reactions in the vehicle: the wrong airbag could be triggered in the event of an accident, the airbag control unit may not recognise the belt buckle status, the engine control unit could be coded with a false maximum speed or various assistance systems may not function.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0763/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The mixture ratio of the fuel in the inflators of the front-passenger knee, pelvic and side curtain airbags may not be correct. In the event of an accident requiring the deployment of the airbags, this could lead to the airbags not inflating properly.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0829/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The adhesion of the lower part of the windscreen to the bodywork may be inadequate. In the event of an accident, the windscreen could become detached from the bodywork, thus compromising the protective effect of the passenger airbag.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0852/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The casing material of the gas generator of the driver airbag may be defective. In the event that the airbag is deployed, the airbag may not protect the driver and detached parts might enter the passenger compartment causing injury to the vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0863/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Certain welding points in the area of the front wheel arch may be missing. If these welding points are not present, the structural behaviour of the vehicle's front section would be affected in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0876/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The welding of the mounting brackets on the ISOFIX child seat attachments may be inadequate. The mounting brackets could fail in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0948/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The welding of the brake pedal plate to the brake pedal lever may not be sufficiently strong. Applying pressure on the left side of the brake pedal might cause the pedal plate to tilt sideways from the pedal lever. This would impair the operation of the brake pedal, increasing the risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1225/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The navigation software may be faulty, storing the wrong location of the vehicle. As a result, when the emergency call system (eCall) is used, the location communicated to the emergency centre might not correspond to the current vehicle location. In such cases, emergency services would not be correctly directed to the vehicle.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1733/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The steering column is not sufficiently earthed. As a result, in the event of an electrostatic discharge, the driver's airbag may be triggered when not required. This could cause an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1892/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The belt anchor fittings for the front seats may not have been attached in accordance with the specifications. As a result, the anchor fittings could be detached in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of an injury to the occupants.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engines and transmissions in this generation

A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.

W176 · 2012–2018

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

132 versions

Showing 60 of 132 versions.

Neighbouring generations

W176 · 2012–2018

W176 (2012-2018). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

W169 · 2004–2012

This generation

W176 · 2012–2018

Next generation

W177 · 2018–

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2012–2018. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms