NHTSA (USA)Low Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 17 recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris.
Tire complaints dominate what 2017 Metris owners report, with the most common description being cracking across all four tires, often noticed while the vehicle is parked rather than after any obvious road damage. Owners report this affecting multiple tires simultaneously, suggesting a pattern tied to the tire compound rather than isolated road hazards. Steering is the next most-reported system, with several owners describing complete electric power steering failure, the van loses assist suddenly, making it difficult to steer, and in some cases the vehicle had to be towed. Owners report the steering rack and power steering control unit being cited as the components needing replacement. A smaller number of complaints involve wheel-related issues, and at least one owner notes unrelated oil system repairs alongside spurious seatbelt warning alerts, though those appear to be isolated rather than a recurring pattern across the complaint set.
29
Total Complaints
By System
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris has 17 recalls, with the most serious involving fuel leaks in the engine compartment that can lead to a fire, front wheel bearings that may not be properly seated and can cause a wheel to detach, and a brake fluid reservoir that can come loose and leak, reducing stopping ability.
Several recalls involve the drivetrain: driveshaft securing bolts can loosen and allow the shaft to separate from the transmission, and the transmission support may not be properly tightened, which can also damage the driveshaft and cut power to the wheels. On the steering side, the electric power steering control unit can lose contact and drop power assist, making the van significantly harder to steer, particularly at low speeds. The front passenger airbag may contain an incorrect internal component that prevents it from venting properly in a crash, meaning it may not protect the occupant as intended. An exposed backup battery under the front passenger seat can short-circuit if metal objects fall into the opening, raising a fire risk. The emergency call system may transmit the wrong location after a crash, and the blind spot monitoring system on certain vans does not function at all despite being listed as equipped. The rearview camera can freeze on a static image instead of showing a live feed while reversing. The tire load label shows an incorrect maximum weight value, which can lead to overloading and tire failure.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The tire load capacity labels on the vehicle are incorrect, showing wrong maximum weight limits that the tires can safely carry.
What the fix does
Dealers will install corrected labels on the B-pillar and fuel filler door, and replace tires if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel hoses connecting to the engine may not be securely fastened, potentially causing fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel hose connections and replace the clamps and hoses as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel supply hose connections may not be properly attached, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect the fuel transition hose connections and replace the clamps and hose if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty memory chip in the rearview camera can cause the display image to freeze.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rearview camera at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake fluid reservoir may be incorrectly mounted, allowing it to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the brake fluid reservoir mounting at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your correct vehicle location to emergency services when the automatic emergency call system activates after a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the communication module software for the emergency call system at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The backup battery compartment under the front passenger seat may lack a cover, leaving the battery exposed when the seat moves forward.
What the fix does
Mercedes-Benz dealers will install covers over the battery compartment at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Aluminum bolts attaching the power steering motor to the gear housing can corrode and crack, reducing or eliminating power steering assist.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the aluminum bolts with steel bolts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel hose in the engine compartment may leak where it connects at the transition point between the underbody fuel line and Schrader valve, or where the fuel line connects to the fuel pump.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected hose and clamp at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that connect the drive shaft to the automatic transmission flange can loosen, which may cause the drive shaft to separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission flange and securing bolts, and clean the shaft seal at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission support bolts may not have been properly tightened to the vehicle body, which could cause damage to the driveshaft.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transmission support mounting bolts, replace them if needed, and tighten them securely at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front wheel bearing retaining rings may not be seated correctly and could stick out from the steering knuckles. If they shift, the wheel bearing can move, potentially causing wheel separation and loss of vehicle control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the retaining ring position and reposition them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front axle wheel bearings may not be properly seated, which could cause a front wheel to detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front axle wheel bearing retaining rings and reposition them as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical power steering control unit contains contact pins that were improperly welded during manufacturing, which can cause the power steering system to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack at no cost to you once parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster and steering wheel installed in these vans don't support the Blind Spot Monitoring system, so the BSM feature doesn't function even though the vans were supposed to have it.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the correct instrument cluster and steering wheel to enable the Blind Spot Monitoring system at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag may have an incorrect internal part that prevents it from venting properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger airbag contains a faulty vent unit that may not open during a crash, preventing the airbag from venting properly and reducing crash protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger airbag with a corrected unit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
