1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class CDI from UK and Ireland - Comments

Suspension Noises caused by Anti Roll Bar links (Replaced 3 times so far).

Steering Knocks and excessive play (Failed 1st MoT on this) cost £200 to replace.

Rear suspension knocking, Dealer took the car off the road as it was deemed "Dangerous" both rear trailing arms required replacement.

A Rear wheel cylinder failed.

I have a rolling harshness felt through the brakes and steering that starts at exactly 18mph then 36 etc etc sounds and feels like final drive or wheel bearings, but the dealers have been unable to trace it.

The A Class looks good and to a degree it drives well, the diesel is so economical 55mpg all the time.

I was smitten with the A Class when I bought it, but after 3yrs daily use it has deteriorated dramatically.

My last repair bill was over £1100 for a service MoT and the repairs to get it through. Mercedes contributed 50% towards the rear suspension failure, but declined to pay for the steering column.

I am now totally disapointed with MB and the car, it's disgraceful that a car like this should have such problems with it's Suspension Steering and Brakes.

I have an A-Class 140 1999 bought new.

Up to the end of 2002 (yes 2002) I have replaced rear suspension links and the Air Mass Flow/ECU.It sounds now that the links are gone again!

I find it very disappointing that neither Mercedes Benz or the dealers I deal with had the integrity or honesty to tell me that the faults are common to the A-Class.

I found out today (!) 13th December 2003 through hearing of similar experiences with this car and checking it on the internet.

Can anyone suggest a remedy?

Yet another disappointed A class owner.

I purchased my A170 in 1999, like the reviewer I love the concept of the car and it has performed excellently... Except for the rear suspension which failed at 50,000 miles.

I was disappointed that MB UK only offered 50% of the cost of materials when it was the labor that made up the greater part of the cost.

And now BOTH rear springs have failed. MB aren't interested in any help at all with this.

I feel it is a disgrace that a major company such as MB and its dealer network do not stand behind the quality of the products they sell.

JP Surrey.

MB deny there is any fault with this car - I too have just had the rear suspension replaced and the trailing arms - all with less than 40,000 miles on the clock. The local MB garage mechanic said off the record to me that they have A classes in all the time for suspension problems.

I have an A-Class 140 (V) 2000 reg. It had a rear arm and spring failure at 24000 miles. MB repaired this under warranty Dec 2004. I was very pleased. Now Feb 2005 at 26000 the other side spring has snapped. MB will not cover this or provide part payment toward it. I feel very let down. Apart from that the car is great!

A Class 190 Elegance 2000.

Concept is good, it is a lovely car, but let down by poor engineering, quality control and indifference from MB.

My A class was bought used from local dealer, three years ago. Problems:

Airbag warning light 15,000mls warranty,

Fuel tank sensors failed 20,000 mls warranty

Rear suspension and springs worn 30,000 mls made a lot of noise to dealer and got it gratis.

Ignition module 35,000mls £296

Last service B service £726

Anti roll bar links rattling???

Power steering pump accasionally fails to operate initially on startup??

I wouldn't expect these problems on a car at such low mileage. A search on the internet reveals these are known problems which seem to be a result of poor design, poor manufacture and poor quality control.

I have owned Leyland, Ford, Fiat and Renault, but this is the most troublesome car I have ever owned. The most expensive and least rewarding.

Letters to Mercedes are met with indifference. They do not consider these types of failure to be unusual or unacceptable.

Buying a Mercedes, you believe you have a silk purse, but it soon reveals it is no more than a sows ear.

Loved my A Class 160 Elegance when I first got it. However not so pleased now. Panels have fallen from the bottom of the car, anti roll links have been replaced, suspension springs and trailing arm replaced, power steering pump replaced, starter motor replaced. Now the electrics are playing up - indicator/head-beam stalk needs replacing, radio does not work (CD's play fine), electric windows work when they feel like it, but not when I feel like it!! I won't be buying another one and I won't be recommending one to anyone else.

In 2003 I bought a 1.7 CDI automatic, two years old. Fault developed in the control unit, which meant that it would not pick up revs when filtering into traffic at low speed at, say, a roundabout. Mercedes replaced the unit and covered labour, under warranty. In 2005 I replaced it for same, a 1.7 CDI automatic. Exactly the SAME fault developed! Mercedes covered it under warranty. Now the replaced control unit has developed a fault! Complete loss of revs (in outside lane of motorway!). When ignition was switched off, it reset. Mercedes replaced the unit at no charge, out of warranty. Now two fuel injectors need changing - no help from M. I now have no trust in this car. Not recommended. [In other ways, excellent!]

Can the person who left the comment below please email me as I have the same fault/s with my A-Class. and Merc won't repair it at their cost :-(

richard@hooknorton.co.uk

Thanks Rich.

"In 2003 I bought a 1.7 CDI automatic, two years old. Fault developed in the control unit, which meant that it would not pick up revs when filtering into traffic at low speed at, say, a roundabout. Mercedes replaced the unit and covered labour, under warranty. In 2005 I replaced it for same, a 1.7 CDI automatic. Exactly the SAME fault developed! Mercedes covered it under warranty. Now the replaced control unit has developed a fault! Complete loss of revs (in outside lane of motorway!). When ignition was switched off, it reset. Mercedes replaced the unit at no charge, out of warranty. Now two fuel injectors need changing - no help from M. I now have no trust in this car. Not recommended. (In other ways, excellent!)"

I have had the bad fortune of getting involved with 3 A-class Mercedes cars.

1st one a A-140 manual, not too bad and the least troublesome.

2nd one - Diesel Automatic - in my opinion these really are best avoided at all costs - the common problems on these are just beyond belief for any modern car.

3rd one - and the last one that I will ever go near - A160 manual - failed starter motor and guess what you have to remove the engine to change it - quoted £800 by our local stealer.

I just cannot understand who would want all the problems of owning an A-class when there are some really decent and trouble free alternatives.

Mercedes A class a170 diesel automatic 2001 Y reg.

Problems so far;

ABS warning light keeps appearing

Rear road spring snapped

New steering column fitted under warranty

I have had these faults in just 12 months of ownership. I can't believe a car can go wrong so much. It is pretty much unbelievable, but such an easy car to drive with all the Elegance extras. I have looked at the new A class and that's a big improvement. I would prefer the long wheel base model for better leg room.