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Mercedes-Benz A-Class A 180 d Ambition common faults.

2015–2018, hatchback, diesel, 109 HP.

The fault list covers: OM607DE15LA engine, MB7DCT transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

5 fault write-ups. All are important. 28 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

5 important faults

critical1

The maker has the timing belt replaced at 120 000 kilometres or at six years, and whichever of the two comes first is what counts. On a car that has covered little but is six years old, the mileage is therefore not enough. Workshops are stricter than this: they recommend it at 100 000 kilometres, and they replace the belt together with the tensioners and the water pump.

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This is an interference engine: if the belt snaps, the pistons reach the open valves. The consequence is bent valves, and from then on the repair is a full cylinder head rebuild.

The belt can also snap before its time, and there are two known reasons for that: incorrect tensioning and a high pressure pump that is not accurately aligned. Both depend on the quality of the belt change, which means it is also of interest on the invoice where the work was done.

above 120,000 km

What to check

  • Ask for the invoice of the timing belt change: the date and the mileage are needed with it
  • Work out the age of the belt: six years is the factory limit, and it can expire sooner
  • Check whether the tensioners and the water pump were replaced too: the belt alone is not enough
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive4

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.

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Driven with a faulty mechatronics unit, the wet dual clutch wears faster. The mechanical part (synchros, differential bearing) tends to appear at high mileage.

This is not the longitudinal 7G-Tronic (722.9): a different casing and a different fault pattern.

between 80,000 and 180,000 km

What to check

  • In town, crawling in traffic, watch for jerking between 1 to 2 and 2 to 3
  • Pulling away uphill or in a queue: a delayed clutch engagement is suspect
  • Ask for a fault code read on the DCT controller
2 more steps in the write-up

The injectors fail above 100 000 kilometres, and how quickly depends on the quality of the fuel and on the servicing. Three paths lead here, and each one is checked differently at a viewing.

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The nozzle can clog from poor fuel. As the high pressure pump wears, metal debris gets into the system and destroys the injectors; that can be seen in the fuel filter. And the Delphi injectors from before 2010 leak through a back-leak and dilute the oil with diesel; there is a back-leak test for that.

The symptom is an uneven idle, hard starting, jerking, lack of power and black smoke, along with a tapping noise and the injection warning light. In the fault memory the codes from P0201 to P0204 appear, cylinder by cylinder.

An injector that atomises poorly also fills the particulate filter faster, because it produces more soot. If an injector fails badly, the piston can even melt or burn through.

An injector costs around 100 pounds each, and it is worth replacing them together as a set. Reconditioned parts are also available, and they are noticeably cheaper.

above 100,000 km

What to check

  • Open the fuel filter, or ask for the last change: metal debris means the pump is wearing
  • Ask for an injector back-leak test: that shows up an injector leaking backwards
  • Watch the engine at idle: uneven running and a tapping noise belong here
3 more steps in the write-up

Deposits build up on the injectors from 100,000 kilometres, and this is faster with city-only use, because the engine never warms through properly.

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The symptoms are an uneven idle, a lack of power and black smoke. A coked injector atomises poorly, which also fills the particulate filter faster.

above 100,000 km

What to check

  • At idle, watch the engine: it must not run unevenly
  • Accelerate under load: black smoke points at the injector
  • Ask what kind of journeys it did: city-only use speeds up the deposits
2 more steps in the write-up

The particulate filter only burns off if the engine runs at operating temperature for long enough. On short, urban journeys the regeneration cannot even complete, so ash builds up in the filter, and the end of it is limp mode.

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The regeneration needs a motorway run, and 20 to 30 minutes of it is the measure. A shorter journey starts the process but does not finish it, and an incomplete regeneration does damage of its own: the post-injection mixes diesel into the sump oil.

The life of the filter is also extended by a forced regeneration carried out with the diagnostic tester, done between 30 and 40 thousand kilometres.

A saturated filter means lack of power, limp mode and finally a filter replacement. An injector that atomises poorly leads to the same place, because it produces more soot.

What to check

  • Have the saturation of the particulate filter read, and the distance since the last regeneration
  • Ask what kind of journeys it has done: urban use only saturates the filter
  • Ask whether a forced regeneration has been carried out, and when
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz A-Class A 180 d Ambition

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall28 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

OM607DE15LA

80 kW (109 HP) · diesel

MB7DCT · 7G-DCT (Mercedes 724.0, transverse dual-clutch)

DSG · 7 speed

Clutchwet
Torque limit350 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
A 180 d Ambition
Body
hatchback
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
1461 cc
Power
80 kW (109 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2015–2018

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years
  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years
  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years

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