Mercedes-Benz Clase A (W176) A 160 / 180 / 200 / 250 (M270) common problems.

Engine / equipment

M270 and M274 1.6/2.0 turbo petrol (A, B, CLA, GLA, C, E, GLC, SLC)

Period mentioned

2012–2020

Symptoms

Chain rattle on cold starts; engine light with camshaft timing codes (for example P0016 or P001685); oil leaks at the camshaft adjusters; slow coolant loss.

Possible cause described

The hydraulic tensioner loses pressure overnight and the plastic guides wear, especially with long oil change intervals. The camshaft adjuster magnets leak oil (common between 65,000 and 110,000 km) and the plastic thermostat housing cracks.

Check for the garage

Listen to a cold start, read camshaft codes, look for oil on the adjuster magnets and coolant residue at the thermostat. Use Mercedes 229.5 oil.

Cost cited in the source

Chain and tensioner: approx. €320–1,650 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 65,000–110,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Mercedes A-Class W176 (petrol, diesel and A 45 AMG)

Period mentioned

2012–2018

Symptoms

Chain rattle after a cold start (M270); oil leaking from the chain tensioner (OM651); cold-shift jerks from the 7G-DCT and clutch wear in traffic; on the A 45 AMG, turbos (early years) and clutch (2015–spring 2016); panoramic-roof rattles.

Possible cause described

Recalls: camshafts on some M270s, the tensioner seal (OM651, 2014), the AMG clutch, the passenger airbag, the starter current limiter (fire risk), the brake-servo vacuum connector, the steering-column earth and emissions software on the OM651 and OM607.

Check for the garage

Check every campaign by VIN (and the emissions update on diesels); listen to the chain when cold.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Mercedes-Benz Clase A (W176), all engines

Period mentioned

2012–2018

Symptoms

[manual gearbox] Clutch pedal does not return (up to February 2013); [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Abnormal noise between 60 and 80 km/h; [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Stiff 1st-to-2nd change (from September 2012 to May 2013); [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Reverse will not engage (up to June 2013); [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Crunch when changing gear (up to 30/06/2013); [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Gearbox locks in "P" (up to December 2013); [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Warning light on; [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Transmission noise, gears will not engage (OM651); [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Fault light on (from August 2014 to March 2016); [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Crunches when shifting from "D" to "R" (up to March 2017); [7G-DCT dual-clutch] 6th gear will not engage (petrol version); [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Bell-like noise at start-up (petrol version)

Possible cause described

According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) [manual gearbox] Clutch pedal does not return (up to February 2013): Clutch release bearing. 2) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Abnormal noise between 60 and 80 km/h: Fit a damper to the wheel half-shaft. 3) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Stiff 1st-to-2nd change (from September 2012 to May 2013): Synchroniser. 4) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Reverse will not engage (up to June 2013): Reprogramming. 5) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Crunch when changing gear (up to 30/06/2013): Output shafts. 6) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Gearbox locks in "P" (up to December 2013): Control unit. 7) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Warning light on: Replace the automatic gearbox control unit and repair the EHS hydraulic control. 8) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Transmission noise, gears will not engage (OM651): Dual clutch and flywheel. 9) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Fault light on (from August 2014 to March 2016): Additional electric oil pump. 10) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Crunches when shifting from "D" to "R" (up to March 2017): Output shaft or complete gearbox. 11) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] 6th gear will not engage (petrol version): Dual clutch. 12) [7G-DCT dual-clutch] Bell-like noise at start-up (petrol version): Flywheel.

Check for the garage

Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Mercedes-Benz Clase A (W176), all engines

Period mentioned

2012–2018

Symptoms

Vibration between 100 and 130 km/h; "Power steering faulty" message; Front brakes whistle at 80–100 km/h; Creaks from the front axle; Vibration between 120 and 150 km/h on the 4Matic

Possible cause described

According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) Vibration between 100 and 130 km/h: Fit hydraulic bushes to the front transverse arm. 2) "Power steering faulty" message: Steering control unit. 3) Front brakes whistle at 80–100 km/h: Pads. 4) Creaks from the front axle: Wheel bearings. 5) Vibration between 120 and 150 km/h on the 4Matic: Rear differential.

Check for the garage

Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Mercedes-Benz Clase A (W176), all engines

Period mentioned

2012–2018

Symptoms

Front door controls fail (up to chassis no. J038712); Panoramic roof jams; Noise from the climate controls (up to 24/02/2014); Panoramic roof reverses its movement (up to 04/04/2015) or the glass panel jams (up to 01/03/2014); Seat height lever wear; Water leak at the front; Easy Entry front seat hard to move (up to 04/10/2015); Roof blind twists; Live Traffic Information bug (until the end of production)

Possible cause described

According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) Front door controls fail (up to chassis no. J038712): Control unit to be replaced. 2) Panoramic roof jams: Repair or replace the drive unit. 3) Noise from the climate controls (up to 24/02/2014): Climate control panel to be replaced. 4) Panoramic roof reverses its movement (up to 04/04/2015) or the glass panel jams (up to 01/03/2014): Rails and mechanism. 5) Seat height lever wear: Lever to be replaced. 6) Water leak at the front: Modify the drain hose. 7) Easy Entry front seat hard to move (up to 04/10/2015): Seat frame to be replaced. 8) Roof blind twists: Blind to be replaced. 9) Live Traffic Information bug (until the end of production): Reprogramming.

Check for the garage

Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database