Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W176
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
360–387 PS
2.0L Turbo AMG Benzin
360 hp in the Compact Class
Fun to Drive!120–204 PS
2.1L Diesel Diesel
6 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W176 is available with 10 engine variants — from 75 to 387 hp. 7 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Mercedes-Benz A 160 d (Diesel, 90–95 PS) comes with 2 different engines: OM607 (2013–2018, Be Careful) und OM607 (2013–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the A 160 d!
The Mercedes-Benz A 180 d (Diesel, 109–116 PS) comes with 2 different engines: OM607 (2012–2018, Be Careful) und OM607 (2012–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the A 180 d!
The Mercedes-Benz A 200 d (Diesel, 136 PS) comes with 2 different engines: OM651DE18 (2012–2018, Be Careful) und OM651DE22 (2013–2018, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the A 200 d!
The Mercedes-Benz A 220 d (Diesel, 163–177 PS) comes with 3 different engines: OM651DE22 (2012–2015, Stay Away!) und OM651DE22 (2012–2015, Stay Away!) und OM651DE22 (2015–2018, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the A 220 d!
The Mercedes-Benz A 160 (Benziner, 102 PS) has the M270DE16 (1.6L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz A 180 (Benziner, 122 PS) has the M270DE16 (1.6L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz A 200 (Benziner, 156 PS) has the M270DE16 (1.6L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz A 220 (Benziner, 184–190 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M270DE20 (2012–2018, Be Careful) und M270DE20 (2012–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the A 220!
The Mercedes-Benz A 250 (Benziner, 211–224 PS) comes with 4 different engines: M270DE20 (2012–2018, Be Careful) und M270DE20 (2012–2018, Be Careful) und M270DE20 (2015–2018, Be Careful) und M270DE20 (2015–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the A 250!
The Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG (Benziner, 360–387 PS) comes with 3 different engines: M133 (2013–2015, Be Careful) und M133 (2015–2018, Be Careful) und M133 (2015–2018, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the A 45 AMG!
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| 7G-DCT Dual Clutch Gearbox: Judder and Gear Change Noises 7G-DCT judders when pulling away and during shifts 1–3, especially during the cold warm-up phase. Software updates often help but do not always solve the problem permanently. Clutch wear increased in urban traffic. Symptoms: Juddering when pulling away, loud downshift noises, gearbox hunting for gears from 60,000 km | High |
Alternatives
Hyundai i30 PD
Kompaktklasse (2016–2026)
Hyundai Ioniq AE
Kompaktklasse (2016–2022)
Toyota Prius XW50
Kompaktklasse (2016–2023)
Audi RS3 8V
Kompaktklasse (2015–2020)
Fiat Tipo 356
Kompaktklasse (2015–2024)
Hyundai Elantra AD
Kompaktklasse (2015–2020)
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 47 weaknesses have been documented for the Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W176 (2012–2018) — 40 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. One problem engine: OM651DE22 (2.1L Diesel). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Electronics, HVAC, Other.
A-Klasse (OM607, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Timing belt instead of chain -- maintenance obligation, Timing belt interference engine -- total loss risk, Injector failure K9K base. Power: 109–116 PS.
A-Klasse (OM651DE18, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Piezo Injector Faults (220/250 CDI), Chain Tensioner Failure with Oil Loss, Particulate Filter Blockage with Short-Trip Use. Power: 136 PS.
A-Klasse (OM651DE22, 2012–2015) — Stay Away!: Chain Tensioner Seal Leaking — Recall, Timing Chain Stretch (Simplex Chain), Piezo Injector Faults. Power: 163–177 PS.
A-Klasse (OM607, 2013–2018) — Be Careful: Timing belt instead of chain -- maintenance obligation, Timing belt interference engine -- total loss risk, Injector failure K9K base. Power: 90–95 PS.
A-Klasse (OM651DE22, 2013–2018) — Stay Away!: Chain Tensioner Seal Leaking — Recall, Timing Chain Stretch (Simplex Chain), Piezo Injector Faults. Power: 136 PS.
A-Klasse (OM651DE22, 2015–2018) — Stay Away!: Chain Tensioner Seal Leaking — Recall, Timing Chain Stretch (Simplex Chain), Piezo Injector Faults. Power: 170–177 PS.
A-Klasse (M270DE16, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Recall — Camshaft Break (Production Defect 2015), Electric Thermostat Failure. Power: 122 PS.
A-Klasse (M270DE16, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Recall — Camshaft Break (Production Defect 2015), Electric Thermostat Failure. Power: 156 PS.
A-Klasse (M270DE20, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Recall — Camshaft Break (Production Defect 2015), Electric Thermostat Failure. Power: 184–190 PS.
A-Klasse (M270DE20, 2012–2018) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Recall — Camshaft Break (Production Defect 2015), Electric Thermostat Failure. Power: 211–218 PS.
A-Klasse (M133, 2013–2015) — Be Careful: Oil Feed Line Contamination / Turbo Damage, 7G-DCT Dual Clutch — Judder and Clutch Damage, Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness. Power: 360 PS.
A-Klasse (M270DE16, 2015–2018) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Recall — Camshaft Break (Production Defect 2015), Electric Thermostat Failure. Power: 102 PS.
A-Klasse (M270DE20, 2015–2018) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Recall — Camshaft Break (Production Defect 2015), Electric Thermostat Failure. Power: 211–224 PS.
A-Klasse (M133, 2015–2018) — Be Careful: Oil Feed Line Contamination / Turbo Damage, 7G-DCT Dual Clutch — Judder and Clutch Damage, Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness. Power: 381–387 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee