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Mercedes-Benz A-Class VIN Check

NHTSA holds 26 owner complaints on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class from 21 production runs; the worst run has 3, the typical one 1.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 26 complaints · 21 runs · 2019–2022 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported A-Class run is WDD3G4FB6KW (2019 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.5× the typical run. Engine problems make up 26% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 1.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for A-Class model years 2019–2022.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has 21 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 38% of every A-Class complaint on file.

FIG.01·Mercedes-Benz A-Class — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
WDD3G4FB6KW••••••20193——
WDD3G4EB0KW••••••20193——
W1K3G4EB5LW••••••20202——
WDD3G4FB5KW••••••20191——
WDD3G4EB8KW••••••20191——
WDD3G4EBXKW••••••20191——
WDD3G4EB4KW••••••20191——
WDD3G4EB3KW••••••20191——
W1K3G4FB5LJ••••••20201——
W1K3G4FB9LW••••••20201——
W1K3G4FB1LW••••••20201—1
WDD3G4FB6LW••••••20201——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 9 A-Class runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 21 A-Class VINs so far, most often 2019, 2020, 2022 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mercedes-Benz A-Class the gap between build years is 1.6×: a 2019 car draws 1.6 complaints per run, a 2021 one 1.

FIG.02·Mercedes-Benz A-Class — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2021133—
20201.11110—
20191.6117—
ROWS 3·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2019 at 1.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2021 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 26% of everything Mercedes-Benz A-Class owners report: Engine, 10 of 26 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Mercedes-Benz A-Class — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Engine10——
Unknown Or Other8—1
Electrical System7—1
Fuel/propulsion System5——
Power Train5——
Back Over Prevention2——
Fuel System1——
Gasoline1——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 16 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class; the 6 below cover build years 2019 to 2022. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Mercedes-Benz A-Class — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
26V481000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:lock2019–2022
21V354000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera2019–2021
22V365000Electrical System:software2019–2021
21V058000Electrical System:software2019–2020
23V732000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads2019–2020
19V685000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module2019–2020
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

26V481000 was opened in 2026 on cars built from 2019: 7 years on the road before the recall.

The A-Class against its rivals

The A-Class draws 1.2 complaints per production run; the Mazda CX-3 1.4 and the Acura ILX 1.6. That is the lowest rate of the 3.

FIG.05·Mercedes-Benz A-Class VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Mercedes-Benz A-Class26211.20%
Mazda CX-3108791.48.3%
Acura ILX2561601.68.6%
ROWS 3·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

FIG.06·Mercedes-Benz A-Class — complaint severity
OutcomeMercedes-Benz A-ClassAll vehicles
Complaints filed261,115,966
Involved a crash0 (0%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire1 (3.8%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported158,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 100% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class share of that is 26 complaints over 21 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Recalls30 campaignsReliability3.5/5Common problems80 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices131 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2019–2022

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Mercedes-Benz A-Class VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 26 NHTSA complaints from 21 A-Class runs and 16 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which A-Class production run has the most complaints?

WDD3G4FB6KW, a 2019 build, with 3 complaints. The typical A-Class run has 1.2.

Which A-Class years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 1.6 complaints per run and 2021 lightest at 1.

Does the A-Class get more complaints than the Mazda CX-3?

No: 1.2 complaints per production run for the A-Class against 1.4 for the Mazda CX-3.

How many A-Class complaints involve a crash?

0% of 26 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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