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Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Takata airbag recall and interior rattles (panoramic roof, dash)

Takata airbag recall and interior rattles (panoramic roof, dash) is a common interior fault on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class on the 2013–2018 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $0 to $500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 23 documented faults on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Vehicle
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Years
2013–2018
System
Interior

This page covers the Mercedes-Benz A-Class as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mercedes-Benz A-Class faults23 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

W176 A-Classes were caught in the global Takata airbag recall in Australia and NZ — an unrepaired car cannot legally be sold in Australia and is a safety risk anywhere. Separately, the panoramic sunroof and hard dash plastics are known for rattles and creaks that dealers struggled to fix under warranty. The recall work is free at any Mercedes dealer, but you must confirm it has actually been done.

What you would notice

  • Recall letter in the glovebox / recall flag on VIN check
  • Creaks and rattles from the roof over bumps
  • Wind noise from the panoramic roof seal

How to check it

Where to look. Steering wheel/passenger airbag modules; panoramic roof panel

  1. Run the VIN through the (NZ) or Mercedes-Benz recall lookup before purchase and confirm the Takata replacement shows as completed.

  2. Drive over a rough road and listen for roof dash rattles; open and close the panoramic roof fully and check it seals.

What it costs to put right

$0 to $500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the Takata airbag recall been completed — can you show the dealer stamp or VIN check?”
  • “Have any rattles been chased under warranty?”

Now check the Mercedes-Benz A-Class you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

  • Australian ACCC Takata compulsory recall list (Mercedes-Benz A-Class)
  • Rightcar.govt.nz recall database
  • MBWorld W176 panoramic roof rattle threads

Mercedes-Benz A-Class buyer questions

Is takata airbag recall and interior rattles (panoramic roof, dash) serious on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

We rate it major and common on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. W176 A-Classes were caught in the global Takata airbag recall in Australia and NZ — an unrepaired car cannot legally be sold in Australia and is a safety risk anywhere. Separately, the panoramic sunroof and hard dash plastics are known for rattles and creaks that dealers struggled to fix under warranty. The recall work is free at any Mercedes dealer, but you must confirm it has actually been done.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

$0 to $500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mercedes-Benz A-Class years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2013–2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Run the VIN through the (NZ) or Mercedes-Benz recall lookup before purchase and confirm the Takata replacement shows as completed. Drive over a rough road and listen for roof dash rattles; open and close the panoramic roof fully and check it seals. Look here: Steering wheel/passenger airbag modules; panoramic roof panel