KNOWN FAULTS · Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Clase A (W176) A 200 / 220 d (2.1, OM651) common problems.
2012–2018 · Diesel
Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.
6 known faults with sources
Chain, injectors and coolant leaksTiming / injection
- Engine / equipment
- OM651 2.1/2.2 CDI (C 200/220/250 CDI, E 200/220/250, GLK, Vito, Sprinter)
- Period mentioned
- 2008 onwards
- Symptoms
- Chain rattle on a cold start; on early units, loud injector knocking; coolant loss from the plastic coolant manifold or the EGR cooler.
- Possible cause described
- Plastic chain guide and a hydraulic tensioner that loses pressure (the chain is at the rear). Early units used problematic piezo injectors that Mercedes replaced in a campaign.
- Check for the garage
- Listen to a cold start, check the dealer's injector campaign history and check the coolant level.
- Cost cited in the source
- Chain: approx. €1,500–3,000 (estimate)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
Euro Premium Parts: OM651 guideAutoscore: OM651 reliabilityForeign Automotive: Mercedes diesel problems
View full entryApplies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.
M270 chain, OM651 tensioner, AMG and campaigns on the A-Class W176Known weak points
- 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
View full entryMercedes-Benz Clase A (W176) A 200 / 220 d (2.1, OM651): known faults of the engine according to L'argusEngine
- Engine / equipment
- A 200 / 220 d (2.1, OM651) in the Mercedes-Benz Clase A (W176)
- Period mentioned
- 2012–2018
- Symptoms
- Coolant leak; Engine warning light on; Coolant level warning message; Loss of power (up to 06/12/2012); Accessory belt noise (up to 13/01/2013); Noise after starting the engine; Stop & Start not working (from September 2015 to August 2016); Will not start, battery flat (up to September 2017)
- 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) Coolant leak: Radiator union and seal. 2) Engine warning light on: Particulate filter check or replacement. 3) Coolant level warning message: EGR valve seal to be replaced. 4) Loss of power (up to 06/12/2012): Differential pressure sensor wiring harness. 5) Engine warning light on: EGR valve or back-pressure sensor (up to June 2013). 6) Accessory belt noise (up to 13/01/2013): Belt to be replaced. 7) Noise after starting the engine: Timing chain tensioner and/or chain depending on stretch (± 82 mm). 8) Stop & Start not working (from September 2015 to August 2016): Battery. 9) Will not start, battery flat (up to September 2017): 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
View full entryMercedes-Benz Clase A (W176): known faults of the gearbox and transmission according to L'argusGearbox
- 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
View full entryMercedes-Benz Clase A (W176): known faults of the chassis, steering and brakes according to L'argusSuspension and steering
- 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
View full entryMercedes-Benz Clase A (W176): known faults of the electronics and interior according to L'argusElectrical and electronic systems
- 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.