The 2017 Metris with M274 2.0L turbo is a solid commercial van platform, but Mercedes put a passenger-car engine in a heavy cargo hauler—expect premature wear on pistons, rings, and bearings if driven hard or poorly maintained, plus transmission cooler failures that can take out the whole unit if ignored.
M274 Engine Piston Ring and Bearing Failures
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1+ quart per 1,000 mi), Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Metallic knock or rattle from lower end, Loss of compression, misfires, or sluggish performance under load
Fix: If caught early with just rings, you're looking at head removal and piston service (10-14 hours). Once bearings go, it's short-block replacement or full rebuild (18-24 hours). Many owners report this on cargo-spec Metris vans driven hard with heavy loads—passenger-car engine not sized for commercial abuse.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure / Cooler Line Leaks
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping near radiator or under front of van, Overheat warning or transmission going into limp mode, Burnt smell, slipping shifts if fluid level drops significantly, Pink or red fluid pooling after parking
Fix: Cooler or lines corrode and leak. If caught immediately, replace cooler and lines, flush system (4-6 hours). If contamination occurs or delayed repair causes torque converter damage, you're into a full trans rebuild or replacement (12+ hours). Multiple NHTSA recalls on fuel and brake lines hint at general line quality issues.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration through floor or steering wheel at idle, Visible engine/trans movement when revving in Park, Harsh engagement into gear
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount wears prematurely, especially on cargo vans with frequent stops. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting drivetrain (2-3 hours). Often done alongside engine mounts if all are original.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Electric Power Steering Rack Failures and Software Issues
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Intermittent loss of power assist, especially at low speeds, Warning light: 'Steering assist inoperative', Grinding or clicking noise when turning lock-to-lock, Heavy steering feel suddenly, then returns to normal
Fix: Two NHTSA recalls on EPS system point to both hardware and software faults. Software updates are free at dealer (1 hour diag). If rack assembly itself fails, replacement is 4-6 hours labor. Some techs see internal motor or sensor failures that require full rack swap.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Fuel Filter Clogging and Fuel Delivery Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, long cranking times, Hesitation or stumble under acceleration, Check engine light with lean codes or fuel trim faults, Stalling at idle or when coming to a stop
Fix: Mercedes spec'd short service intervals on fuel filter (every 20k-30k depending on fuel quality), but many owners skip it. Clogged filter starves injectors. Filter replacement is 1-1.5 hours. If pump is damaged from running dry, add another 3-4 hours and significantly more cost. Two NHTSA recalls on fuel system hoses/lines also suggest contamination risk.
Estimated cost: $250-450
12V Battery Drain and Electrical Software Glitches
Common · low severity
Symptoms: Dead battery after sitting 3-5 days, Multiple warning lights on dash at startup, then clear, Radio, nav, or instrument cluster freezing or rebooting, Parasitic draw测试 shows modules not sleeping
Fix: One NHTSA recall on battery and one on software. Often resolved with software updates (1 hour at dealer). If module staying awake, diag can take 2-3 hours tracking down which controller. Battery replacement itself is straightforward (0.5 hour), but coding/registration required or you'll throw alternator faults.
Estimated cost: $200-600
Owner tips
Change fuel filter every 30,000 mi regardless of service indicator—turbo direct-injection engines are sensitive to contamination.
Check transmission fluid level and condition every oil change; cooler leaks are gradual and easy to miss until it's too late.
If using as cargo van with regular heavy loads, consider oil changes every 5,000 mi instead of 10,000—M274 wasn't designed for commercial duty cycle.
Keep up with dealer software updates, especially for EPS and transmission control—many driveability complaints resolved with reflash.
Inspect engine mounts and trans mount annually if you haul cargo; these wear faster than passenger-car spec.
Buy if it's been pampered as a passenger van with service records; avoid high-mileage cargo-spec examples unless engine and trans have already been rebuilt.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris vans. The value for the maximum combined load weight capacity of the tires is incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire and Loading Information."
Consequence: An overloaded vehicle may cause tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install corrected labels on the B-pillar and fuel filler door. Dealers will also inspect and replace incorrect tires, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 19, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2LASTRE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 22V134000
2022-03-08
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The connection of the upper and lower fuel hoses to the engine may be insecure, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel hose connections, and replace the clamps and fuel hose, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2KRAUCH.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 22V099000
2022-02-22
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. A defective memory chip in the rearview camera may cause the display image to freeze.
Consequence: A frozen rearview image does not show the live view of what is currently behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2023. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2RU54KAM.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID · 22V066000
2022-02-08
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The brake fluid reservoir may be incorrectly mounted, which can allow it to detach.
Consequence: A detached brake fluid reservoir can leak brake fluid, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake fluid reservoir mounting, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 2, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2BE42BRE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 21V055000
2021-02-05
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.
Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Remedy: 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. DVUSA's number for this recall is VSXHERMPOS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY · 19V715000
2019-10-08
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2SITZAB.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 19V290000
2019-04-10
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, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2SCHRALU.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 18V837000
2018-11-29 · PE18002
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The fuel hose in the engine compartment may leak at the lower connecting point of the transition hose, between the underbody fuel line and the Schrader valve and/or where the fuel line connects to the fuel pump.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected hose and clamp, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 25, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · 18V497000
2018-07-29
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.
Consequence: If the bolts loosen and fall out, the driveshaft may separate causing a loss of drive, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 18V335000
2018-05-22
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The transmission support may not have been properly tightened to the vehicle body, potentially resulting in damage to the driveshaft.
Consequence: Damage to the driveshaft could cause a loss of power to the wheels, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission support mounting bolts, replacing and tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING · 17V651000
2017-10-16
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris Vans. The front axle wheel bearings may not have been correctly seated possibly resulting in a front wheel detaching.
Consequence: The loss of a front wheel would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front axle wheel bearing retaining rings, correcting their position as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 17V595000
2017-09-22
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris vans. These vehicles have electrical power steering control units with improperly welded contact pins.
Consequence: The improperly welded pins may lose contact, deactivating the power steering assist and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. An interim notice is expected to be mailed on November 17, 2017. A second notice will be mailed to owners when parts become available. Owners may contact Daimler's customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION · 17V148000
2017-03-07
Daimler Vans USA LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. These vans were to be equipped with the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) feature, however, the installed instrument cluster and steering wheel does not support the function, and thus, the BSM system does not work on the vehicle.
Consequence: If a vehicle is in the driver's blind spot, but the BSM system does not warn the driver, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct instrument cluster and steering wheel to enable the BSM function, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on May 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. The recall began on May 26, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 16V935000
2016-12-27
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain model year 2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris Vans manufactured September 9, 2016, to September 28, 2016. The affected vehicles have a passenger air bag that may have been manufactured with an incorrect Tether Activation Unit (TAU). As a result, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, the air bag may not vent properly.
Consequence: An improperly vented air bag may not protect the front passenger as expected, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.