2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

Fuel economy
27–28 mpgcombined; city 24, highway 31–35; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$14,370–$14,910U.S. average; Ohio $13,540–$14,050 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
Not ratedNHTSA has no overall rating for this year
Recall campaigns
10over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
21filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2020 A-Class. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 A-Class. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical system9110
Engine8000
Back over prevention4000
Fuel/propulsion system4000
Power train4000
Unknown or other4010
Steering2000
Suspension2000
Air bags1101
Communication1000
Forward collision avoidance1000
Structure1101

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 201948
  2. 202021
  3. 202111
  4. 20224

Every A-Class year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2020 A-Class over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Latches/locks/linkages: doors

NHTSA campaign 26V481000 · reported Jul 24, 2026 · 310,667 vehicles potentially affected

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CLA, 2019-2022 A-Class, 2022-2023 C-Class, 2024 CLE, 2020-2026 GLA/GLB, and 2023-2024 GLC vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific model information. The micro-switch in the driver's door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door, preventing the electronic parking brake or "Auto-Park" feature from engaging automatically. This may result in a vehicle rollaway.

Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's door lock, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 31, 2026.

NHTSA's record and documents

Equipment: other; Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

NHTSA campaign 23V732000 · reported Nov 1, 2023 · 42,742 vehicles potentially affected

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."

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Communication: auto crash notification; Electrical system: software

NHTSA campaign 22V365000 · reported May 20, 2022 · 242,722 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Back over prevention: display function

NHTSA campaign 22V232000 · reported Apr 8, 2022 · 126,443 vehicles potentially affected

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."

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Steering; Suspension: front

NHTSA campaign 21V990000 · reported Dec 17, 2021 · 38,312 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system; Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

NHTSA campaign 21V961000 · reported Dec 13, 2021 · 139 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Exterior lighting: headlights

NHTSA campaign 21V509000 · reported Jul 2, 2021 · 1,467 vehicles potentially affected

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."

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Back over prevention: sensing system; Electrical system: software

NHTSA campaign 21V354000 · reported May 14, 2021 · 343,191 vehicles potentially affected

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."

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Communication: auto crash notification; Electrical system: software

NHTSA campaign 21V058000 · reported Feb 5, 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 19V685000 · reported Sep 27, 2019 · 2,222 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 271 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2020 A-Class, the latest on Sep 26, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: electrical system (140), equipment (32), steering (23), power train (20), structure (18).

NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2020 A-Class.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Specs

EPA class: subcompact cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 6 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
A220
Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic 7-spdPremium Gasoline24 / 35 / 28
A220 4matic
4-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic 7-spdPremium Gasoline24 / 34 / 28
AMG A35 4matic
4-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (AM7)Premium Gasoline24 / 31 / 27

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data