Mercedes BENZ Metris Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mercedes BENZ Metris options? We analyzed 8 model years (2016–2023) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mercedes BENZ Metris has 237 owner complaints and 73 safety recalls across model years 2016–2023. The most reported issue area is TIRES. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2021 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Mercedes BENZ
- Model
- Metris
- Model years analyzed
- 2016–2023 (8 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 237
- Safety recall campaigns
- 73
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Fire-related complaints
- 2
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (29 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2021 (2 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- TIRES
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Mercedes BENZ Metris: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe MERCEDES BENZ METRIS has 237 NHTSA complaints and 73 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 237 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 73 federal recall campaigns
- 4 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
73 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
TIRES
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
STEERING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2016–2023. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 237 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
237 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my Mercedes-Benz Metris serviced at Mercedes-Benz Coconut Creek (Florida) under Recall VS2LAS561 – 9789VMCRC (Customer Service Case #20781216). On February 12th, I delivered the vehicle for recall service. It was returned on February 23rd without the recall properly completed. Invoice no. 328897 – tag T9514 lists replacement of four Continental 235/55 R17 tires and installation of four PRS sensor repair kits. These items were not installed. The tires were placed in the trunk, and only three used sensors are present; one wheel has no sensor. Additionally, the dealership provided 235/55 R17 tires, while the vehicle is homologated for 225/55 R17. Supplying non-approved tire sizes represents a safety concern. Since purchase (from the same dealership), I have reported tire pressure irregularities and abnormal lateral tire wear. During the most recent service, no tire rotation was performed despite documented uneven wear. Two weeks prior to the recall visit, I experienced a highway tire blowout while traveling with my family. When attempting to install the spare tire, I discovered the wheel lock removal key had been removed during a prior Mercedes service and not returned. I was unable to change the tire and required roadside assistance. The lug bolts had to be forcibly removed by an external shop, potentially damaging wheel components. The dealership has not properly resolved these safety-related issues. I do not feel safe operating this vehicle under current conditions. I request investigation into: • Recall execution compliance • Tire size compliance with vehicle specifications • Improper documentation of uninstalled parts • Removal of required emergency equipment (wheel lock key) These issues present potential safety risks to vehicle occupants and other road users. Thanks.
I have had 2 major and costly repairs/issues with the engine and its oil system. These are detailed below. I have also received multiple collision or seatbelt dash alerts when no one is near my vehicle whatsoever. Unexpected repairs back-to-back due to defective parts/design: Oil pump control valve and harness replaced. Cost: $1,499. Replaced crankcase ventilation hose assembly. Cost: $3,293.37
Dealer says that Power Steering control unit/steering rack needs to be changed. Looks like same recall was there(17V-595) but my vin number is not in Mercedes system to be fixed. Happens when park. Steering was not working, van needs to be towed. Can you check if that should be part of recall?
This Mercedes Metris is my wife's primary vehicle. She had the electric power steering stop working twice in six weeks. Each time the vehicle became barely controllable. Both times it happened on curvy mountain roads and she was barely able to keep control of the vehicle and is now afraid to drive it. We took it into the local Mercedes dealership twice and spent over a $1,000 the first time to remedy the problem. The second time they recommended replacing the steering rack at a cost of $5,000. We were six years into a seven year warranty with 92,000 miles on the vehicle. The dealership pulled a fast one on us and managed to work their way out of having to cover the warranty repairs. I investigated the problem, have found there are other Metris's with the same issues and am starting to believe it is not the steering rack, but more likely the steering servo motor, steering control module or the steering control software. As such we haven't been able to have it repaired as it appears the dealership has not thoroughly investigated the failure and ducked out of the warranty responsibility. Mercedes should be on top of this, as it's a serious safety hazard which endangers the lives of the occupants of our Metris and the surrounding vehicles. When the steering fails the dash turns red with warnings and it stops working within a couple of seconds. It also activates fault code P0635
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed all 4 tires were cracked. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Read 14 more owner reports
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz MMCA2G. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tire warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to inquire of a remedy and they confirmed no remedy was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. VIN tools confirm parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Vehicle experienced Crankcase ventilation component failure at low miles of 31,750. Code thrown is P052E resulting in needing replacement of a large assembly of emissions/oil vapor control tubing and valves costing over $1000 plus over 12 hours of labor. Well known problem on Mercedes vehicles with the M274 2.0 turbo 4cylinder engine.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the power steering malfunction warning illuminated. Additionally, the contact heard a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the electric power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle had to be repaired due safety issue. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure was mileage was 42,277. The consumer stated repairs were made at the owners expense in the amount of $1329.54.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V099000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
This has been happening recently. The smell of coolant as I am driving vehicle. But only sometimes I notice. No indicator or warning lamps on dash comes up. I am concerned because I feel at risk of fire or and having health issue. I have not seen any leaks other than from ac. One mechanic had looked, but said no leaks & can confirm smell, but has to further diagnose. Will also get 2nd and 3rd opinions & will look more into myself. Research online also, about others with same problem. Is this an issue where it maybe a legitimate recall? Others have confirmed this should. Thank you
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V482000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V099000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that on several occasions, the camera image froze and created a driving hazard. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Showing 20 of 237 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mercedes BENZ Metris
These pages show model-year patterns across 8 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Mercedes BENZ Metris, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mercedes BENZ Metris has 237 complaints on record across 8 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mercedes BENZ Metris has 73 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 4 of the Mercedes BENZ Metris's 237 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mercedes BENZ Metris vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mercedes BENZ Metris vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mercedes BENZ Metris has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Mercedes BENZ Metris reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes BENZ Metris reliable?
Poor. The Mercedes BENZ Metris has 237 NHTSA owner complaints and 73 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is TIRES. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mercedes BENZ Metris years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (29 complaints), 2018 (28 complaints), 2022 (18 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Mercedes BENZ Metris problems?
Top reported issues: TIRES (48 complaints); FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (45 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (30 complaints).
Does the Mercedes BENZ Metris have recalls?
Yes — 73 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Mercedes BENZ Metris. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.