Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ Metris vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ Metris and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercedes BENZ Metris vs Toyota Camry: The Metris averaged 29.6 complaints/year with 73 recalls, while the Camry averaged 214.3 complaints/year with 31 recalls. The Metris had 4 crash-related complaints and 9 injuries; the Camry had 181 crash-related and 163 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ Metris or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ Metris
The Mercedes-Benz Metris is a commercial van often used for passenger transport, and its complaint pattern suggests owners deal with a mix of tire, fuel system, and steering issues. Over 8 years, it has averaged about 30 complaints per year, with 73 recalls—a high number relative to its complaint volume. Owners report problems like tire failures at highway speeds and fuel leaks that can be hard to fix due to parts shortages. While it has fewer total complaints than the Camry, the types of issues and high recall count mean living with a Metris can require vigilance and patience.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan, and its complaint pattern shows a wide range of issues, especially with the power train, engine, and brakes. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 214 complaints per year, with 31 recalls. Owners describe serious symptoms like sudden acceleration, transmission grinding, and brake failure. Although the Camry has far more complaints in total, the per-year rate is much higher than the Metris, indicating more frequent owner-reported problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ Metris | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 237 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 73 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.6 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mercedes BENZ Metris
- 01TIRES48
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM45
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER30
- 04WHEELS25
- 05STEERING23
Owners report tire failures, including a front driver's side tire blowout at 75 mph after rotation. This is a safety concern because a sudden blowout can cause loss of control, and many owners faced expensive replacements after a recall.
Complaints include fuel line leaks subject to a recall, with parts often unavailable, leaving owners driving with a known leak. Another issue is inaccurate fuel range displays, which can lead to unexpectedly running out of gas.
Wheel-related complaints often overlap with tire issues, such as the same 2017 Metris tire blowout. This suggests potential wheel or tire assembly problems that could affect vehicle stability.
Steering complaints appear in the top components, and a recall exists for electric power assist system issues. Owners may experience difficulty steering, which is critical for control, especially at higher speeds.
“See attached document for complaint. I wanted to express my displeasure with the manner in which the above reference recall was conducted. The timeline left many owners with expensive replacement bills for new tires to replace inadequate tires that were insta…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ METRIS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, TIRELINE VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2, TIRE SIZE 225/55/R17, DOT # 5MKC1AH0316.. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE JUST ROTATED AND WAS DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report transmission grinding noises and needing full transmission replacement, with parts on backorder. Some also describe sudden acceleration incidents, including one that led to a crash, which is a severe safety risk.
Complaints include sudden acceleration and a coolant valve bypass issue that may not be covered by recall for some VINs. These can cause engine damage or unsafe driving conditions.
Owners report brake pedal going to the floor with no response, such as when driving down a steep hill. This is an immediate safety hazard that could lead to a crash.
Electrical complaints are among the top, though specific symptoms aren't detailed in the sample. Electrical issues can affect various systems, including safety features, and may be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mercedes BENZ Metris — 73 recalls
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The drive shaft securing bolts may loosen at the automatic transmission flange.
The risk: If the bolts loosen and fall out, the driveshaft may separate causing a loss of drive, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission flange, securing bolts, and clean the shaft seal, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris and 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. 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.
The 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.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software communication module for the automatic emergency call system, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUS…
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Metris vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Ve…
The risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum bolts with steels bolts, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on June 3, 2019. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer serv…
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The integrated backup battery compartment located underneath the front passenger's seat may not have its own cover, potentially exposing the battery when the seat is moved forward.
The risk: If conductive material, such as metal, unintentionally drops into the opening and contacts the terminals on the battery, an electrical short can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will install covers over the battery compartment area, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on December 2, 2019. The recall began March 9, 2020. Owners may contact…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Mercedes BENZ Metris or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz Metris has far fewer complaints per year (about 30) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 214), but the Metris has more recalls (73 vs. 31). In practice, this means a Metris owner may face fewer reported problems overall, but a higher chance of being called back for a recall. The Camry's higher complaint rate suggests more frequent owner-reported issues, some of which are severe like brake failure and sudden acceleration.
Key differences
- The Metris has a much lower complaint rate per year (29.6 vs. 214.3), but a higher number of recalls (73 vs. 31), meaning more mandatory service visits.
- Metris owners report tire blowouts and fuel leaks, while Camry owners report transmission failure, brake failure, and sudden acceleration—issues that can be more immediately dangerous.
- The Camry has far more crash-related complaints (181 vs. 4) and injuries (163 vs. 9), though these numbers don't account for vehicle sales volume.
- The Metris has 0 deaths reported in complaints, while the Camry has 1 death, but this single data point shouldn't be used to judge overall safety.
- Inspect all tires for uneven wear, bulges, or signs of previous blowouts, especially if they are Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 as mentioned in complaints.
- Check for fuel odors or leaks around the fuel lines and ensure any outstanding fuel line recall (18V837) has been addressed with parts replaced.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for grinding noises from the transmission, especially during acceleration, and check for delayed or harsh shifting.
- Test the brakes on a downhill slope or empty lot to ensure the pedal doesn't sink to the floor and that the vehicle stops reliably.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN, and confirm all recall repairs are completed.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the tires, fuel system, and steering components on the Metris, and the transmission, brakes, and engine on the Camry.
- During a test drive, specifically test for sudden acceleration by lightly pressing the gas from a stop, and test brakes on a slope.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the Camry and fuel line repairs on the Metris.
- Check for unusual smells (coolant, fuel, mildew) inside and outside the vehicle, as owners reported these as early warning signs.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Mercedes BENZ Metris | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 | 62 |
| 2022 | 18 | 59 |
| 2021 | 2 | 155 |
| 2020 | 14 | 270 |
| 2019 | 16 | 393 |
| 2018 | 28 | 736 |
| 2017 | 29 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mercedes BENZ Metris or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ Metris vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ Metris total complaints
- 237
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Mercedes BENZ Metris total recalls
- 73
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ Metris avg complaints/year
- 29.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ Metris
- Mercedes BENZ Metris top complaint area
- TIRES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN