VehicleVerdict

2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220 sits mid-pack among A 220 years: 37 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 26, with 9 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (8), engine (7), and driver assistance (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

37

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other A 220 years?

A 220 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted60 complaints2019: 60 complaints2020: 37 complaints2021: 16 complaints2022: 4 complaints
A 220 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A 220 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System822%
Engine719%
Driver Assistance514%
Other514%
Transmission38%
Fuel System38%
Steering25%
Suspension25%
Body & Structure13%
Airbags13%

Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220 have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V732000BrakesNovember 1, 2023 · 42,742 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A220, 2020 CLA250, GLB250, AMG A35, AMG CLA45, AMG CLA35, and 2021 GLA250 vehicles. The vehicles may not be equipped with an inspection gauge to check the wear of the rear brake pads. In addition, information for using this inspection gauge might not be included in the owner's manual. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence

Driving with worn brake pads can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install an inspection gauge and provide supplemental owner's manual information, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 29, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

22V365000OtherMay 20, 2022 · 242,722 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.

22V232000Driver AssistanceApril 8, 2022 · 126,443 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.

21V990000SuspensionDecember 17, 2021 · 38,312 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 AMG GLB35, 2019-2020 A220, and 2020 GLB250 vehicles. The integral carrier that supports the front axle may corrode, causing it to fail.

Consequence

Front axle carrier failure may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the integral carrier, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022070009.

21V961000Fuel SystemDecember 13, 2021 · 139 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.

21V509000LightingJuly 2, 2021 · 1,467 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2020 C300, 2019-2020 A220, AMG C43, AMG C63, 2020 GLE580, GLB250, 2020-2021 GLE450, GLE350, 2021 AMG GLE63, and AMG GLE53 vehicles. The LED headlights may have been incorrectly adjusted during a vehicle repair. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Incorrectly adjusted headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the LED headlights, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 13, 2021. A second notice will be sent once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

21V354000Driver AssistanceMay 14, 2021 · 343,191 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.

21V058000OtherFebruary 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Consequence

Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

19V685000AirbagsSeptember 27, 2019 · 2,222 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 A 220 and A 220 4MATIC, 2020 CLA 250, CLA 250 4 MATIC, GLC 300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC vehicles. The driver's side front airbag modules may not have been properly bolted down.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's front airbag, the airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver airbag module and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019100001.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I used the factory installed remote start via the Mercedes me app, and within a couple of minutes the car was in flames.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 18, 2025 · fire

August 2024 Engine mount broke and almost crashed my car the dealership did this: Rear engine support replace Remove/install complete wheel Engine compartment paneling, bottom Centre remove/install The torque struts were replaced N torque strut fasteners It had 38,195 miles I had engine trouble…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 24, 2025

I used the factory installed remote start via the Mercedes me app, and within a couple of minutes the car was in flames.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 18, 2025 · fire

There was a rear camera recall in 2022 which I had fixed they did a software upgrade. The EXACT same issue has returned . It’s really dangerous when backing out of spaces and I can’t see. I took to dealership and they claim my license plate cover is the issue however even without the cover the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · October 21, 2025

The drivetrain/shaft is causing rumbling in the vehicle when accelerating and decelerating, typically around highway speeds. after more investigation the parts used on the a220 were also used on the gle350 that were recalled for having the same issues however the a220 wasn’t recalled for those…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2025

2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220 — common questions

Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220 reliable?

It is close to typical for the A 220: 37 NHTSA complaints, 9 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2020 A 220 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints), driver assistance (5 complaints).

Does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz A 220 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A 220 years to avoid are 2019. The cleanest record among A 220 years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.