The 2018 Metris with M274 2.0L turbo is a European commercial van that suffers from catastrophic engine failures due to piston/ring defects and transmission cooling issues — both can total the vehicle if ignored.
Symptoms: Heavy oil consumption (quart every 500-1000 miles), Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Rough idle, misfires, loss of power, Metallic knocking from crankcase, Check engine light with misfire or low compression codes
Fix: M274 engine has documented piston ring and skirt failures causing oil burning, then bore scoring, then bearing damage. Real-world solution is usually short block or complete engine replacement. Rings-only jobs rarely last. Expect 20-30 hours labor for short block swap in a commercial van.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure / Leaking
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid in coolant (strawberry milkshake in expansion tank), Coolant in transmission causing delayed shifts or slipping, Overheating transmission or engine, Pink residue under vehicle
Fix: 7G-Tronic transmission cooler integrated into radiator fails internally. Requires radiator replacement, full trans fluid flush, often new torque converter if contamination occurred. If coolant got into trans, expect transmission rebuild. Cooler alone is 4-6 hours; if trans is damaged, add 15-20 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 (cooler/flush); $4,000-7,000 (if trans rebuild needed)
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on shifts, especially reverse to drive, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mount, Drivetrain movement felt through floor
Fix: Rear transmission mount breaks down from weight and torque of turbo four. Hydraulic fluid leaks out, rubber tears. Straightforward replacement but access is tight in the Metris. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel Filter Clogging / Contamination Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Hard starting, extended cranking, Loss of power under load, Rough running, hesitation, Check engine light with fuel trim or pressure codes
Fix: In-tank fuel filter gets contaminated or clogs prematurely, especially with lower-quality fuel. Mercedes spec calls for replacement at 80k but many fail sooner. Requires dropping fuel tank. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Head Gasket Failure (Both Banks — Single Head)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible leaks, White smoke from exhaust, Overheating, Oil contamination in coolant or vice versa, Bubbles in expansion tank when running
Fix: M274 inline-four has single head but gasket can fail from thermal cycling and boost pressure. Requires head removal, surfacing, new gasket, timing chain work. Often uncovers additional issues (warped head, stretched bolts). 12-16 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,500
Steering System Faults / Electrical Gremlins
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Intermittent loss of power steering assist, Warning lights for steering, ESP, or stability control, Steering feels heavy then normal again, Fault codes for steering angle sensor or EPS motor
Fix: Electric power steering motor, wiring, or control module issues. Often solved by software updates (covered by recall in some cases), but can require motor or sensor replacement. Diagnosis critical — don't throw parts. 2-6 hours depending on root cause.
Estimated cost: $600-2,200
Backup Camera Failures
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Black screen when in reverse, Intermittent camera operation, Distorted or flickering image, "Camera unavailable" message
Fix: Rear camera or wiring harness fails from moisture intrusion or connector corrosion. Recall issued for some units but not all. Camera replacement is 1-2 hours; if it's wiring, add diagnosis time.
Estimated cost: $300-800
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500-1000 miles religiously — early oil consumption is your only warning before catastrophic M274 engine failure.
Inspect transmission fluid and coolant for cross-contamination at every service; catching a failing trans cooler early saves the transmission.
Use only Mercedes-approved 229.51 or 229.52 spec oil; cheaper oils accelerate ring and piston wear on the M274.
Replace transmission mount proactively around 60k if you feel any clunk; it prevents stress on other drivetrain components.
Budget $1,000/year for unexpected repairs after 60k miles; these are not Toyota-level reliable.
Only buy if you can afford a surprise engine or transmission replacement — budget $10k contingency or walk away; great cargo van if you get a good one, financial disaster if you don't.
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.
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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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER · 19V693000
2019-10-02
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections, resulting in possible unknown safety risks.
Consequence: Failure to identify loose safety related parts can increase the risk of crash and injury.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and vehicles will be returned to the reassembly plant for comprehensive inspection and, if necessary, corrective action, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VSX566ZP25.
STEERING · 19V489000
2019-06-25
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. An internal sensor within the electric power steering unit may have been improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the deactivation of the electric power steering assist.
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Metris dealers will replace the steering unit, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2LENKEPS.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER · 19V222000
2019-03-20
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The affected vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections, resulting in possible unknown safety risks.
Consequence: Failure to identify loose safety related parts can increase the risk of crash and injury.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will complete the final quality inspection, free of charge. The recall began May 17, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VSX566ZP25.
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.
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