The 2019 Metris with the M274 2.0L turbo is a commercial-grade van that suffers from catastrophic engine failures due to piston/ring issues and chronic transmission oil cooler leaks. These aren't typical wear items—they're design weaknesses that can strand you.
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart every 500-1,000 mi), Blue smoke on startup or hard acceleration, Sudden rod knock or metallic rattling from crankcase, Check engine light with misfire codes or low oil pressure warnings
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement required. Pistons, rings, bearings, and often crankshaft machining needed. 25-35 labor hours for full teardown and rebuild. Some shops opt for reman long block to save diagnostic time.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Red ATF pooling under vehicle, usually front-center, Transmission temperature warning light, Slipping or harsh shifts when fluid runs low, Pink residue on cooler lines or radiator area
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler assembly and connecting lines. Cooler itself is mounted at front of vehicle. 3-5 hours labor including fluid flush and refill with MB-approved ATF.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or banging when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, especially in Drive, Visible transmission sag or misalignment when inspected on lift, Transmission housing contacting crossmember or body
Fix: Replace transmission mount(s)—typically rear mount fails first. Requires supporting transmission with jack, removing old mount hardware. 2-3 hours labor. OEM parts strongly recommended as aftermarket mounts fail prematurely.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel Filter Housing Leaks/Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Fuel smell in cabin or around vehicle, Hard starting or extended cranking when cold, Visible fuel seepage at filter housing (right side of engine bay), Check engine light with fuel pressure codes
Fix: Replace fuel filter assembly and housing seals. Housing cracks are common. 1.5-2.5 hours labor. Must use genuine MB fuel filter—aftermarket units cause running issues.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Head Gasket Failures (Both Banks)
Rare · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust (coolant burning), Rapid coolant loss with no visible external leaks, Overheating under load or in traffic, Milky oil on dipstick or oil cap, Bubbling in coolant reservoir when running
Fix: Both head gaskets require replacement due to inline-4 design. Cylinder head often needs resurfacing. 18-24 hours labor including head removal, inspection, machining, and reassembly with new timing components and coolant.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
Electrical System Software Glitches (Recall-Related)
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Check engine light with no driveability issues, Instrument cluster warning lights staying illuminated, Infotainment system freezing or rebooting, Intermittent no-start due to immobilizer software fault
Fix: Software updates at dealership resolve most issues—multiple recalls issued for ECU and transmission control module updates. 0.5-1 hour dealer labor, typically covered under recall or warranty if applicable.
Estimated cost: $0-150
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles religiously—M274 engine oil consumption is your early warning system for impending failure
Change transmission fluid every 40,000 miles with genuine MB 236.14 spec ATF—not what the manual says, but what keeps these alive
Inspect transmission oil cooler lines and housing for seepage at every oil change—catching leaks early prevents transmission damage
Keep all recall work current, especially software updates—they're free at the dealer and prevent nuisance breakdowns
Budget $500/year for unexpected repairs beyond normal maintenance—this is a commercial vehicle with commercial-grade repair costs
Only buy if you have access to $5K emergency fund and detailed service records showing proactive transmission maintenance—the engine grenading risk makes this a gamble even with low miles.
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 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Metris, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.
Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update, or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2022. Owners may contact DVUSA at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2SIMKOM/VS3SIMKOM.
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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 20V729000
2020-11-24
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris right-hand drive vehicles. The screwed fittings between the rigid steel brake lines routed through the underbody of the vehicle and the brake hoses in the area of the front and rear axles may not have been correctly installed.
Consequence: The connection between the brake line and the brake hose may leak, causing a sudden loss of brake fluids, impacting braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the affected fittings at the connection points of the brake lines to the brake hoses, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2BREMPOS.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · 20V340000
2020-06-09
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Metris vans [platform 447 (VS20)] with gasoline engines and automatic transmissions. The driveshaft may not be attached to the intermediate bearing correctly, causing excessive wear to the driveshaft joint and excessive vibrations.
Consequence: Damage to the driveshaft joint could result in a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash. Excessive vibrations may cause the frontal air bags to deploy unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners and dealers will inspect the drive shaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall began August 11, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3DREIGE.
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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT · 19V666000
2019-09-18
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Metris vehicles. The head restraint of the seat or seat back may have been fitted without a spring pin or a spring pin that was improperly mounted.
Consequence: The incorrectly mounted or missing spring pins can cause the upholstery carrier to come loose from the head restraint housing, which increases the risk of an injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the head restraints, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on November 4, 2019. The recall began April 20, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. D VUSA's number for this recall is VS2KOPFSTU.
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The vehicles may have been delivered with a printed operator's manual that does not match the vehicle's features and operating instructions.
Consequence: The incorrect manual may not describe the proper operation of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the information package including the printed version of the operator's manual, maintenance booklet and information sheets, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS2BAFV.
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.
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