Mercedes-Benz Metris Best and Worst Years (2015–2023)
Among Mercedes-Benz Metris model years 2015-2023, 2016 and 2017 are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 75, the highest of the range. 2020 is the only Good year (index 38). 2018, 2019, and 2022 carry Caution verdicts.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 9
- 2015–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 212
- Recall campaigns
- 31
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 2
- Top problem area
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Metris Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mercedes-Benz Metris problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 126 | 0 | 2 | 13 | Fuel System | 22 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 75 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 14 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 22 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 63 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 10 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 22 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 25 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 12 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 22 | — |
| 2020 | Good | 38 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 21 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 50 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Fuel System | 21 | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 88 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 20 | — |
Metris years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris Index 100 · 126 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2016 Metris has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 126 complaints and 13 recall campaigns. Fuel System problems lead at 38 complaints (30% share), with a median failure mileage of 32,500. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues followed at 22 complaints, and Visibility & Wipers problems, mostly narrow passenger-side mirrors creating blind spots, showed up as early as 1,500 miles. NHTSA also logged two fires and one injury for this year. Owners reported a battery fire that melted electronics, and repeated complaints about poor passenger-mirror visibility in the cargo van configuration.
2016 fuel system problems →2016 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2016 visibility & wipers problems →
2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris Index 75 · 29 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2017 Metris carries an Avoid verdict with a complaint index of 75 across 29 complaints and 14 recall campaigns. Suspension, Wheels & Tires problems dominate, making up 59% of complaints (17 of 29) at a median mileage of 23,500, with owners describing rapid, uneven tire wear tied to factory alignment issues. Steering complaints followed at a median of 42,277 miles. Owners also reported long delays getting fuel-hose leak recalls and rearview-camera recalls resolved due to parts shortages.
Most common Mercedes-Benz Metris problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires65 (31%)
- Fuel System49 (23%)
- Other28 (13%)
- Engine25 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers22 (10%)
- Steering20 (9%)
- Electrical System17 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (5%)
- Brakes7 (3%)
- Airbags4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Mercedes-Benz Metris should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2016 and 2017 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 75, the two highest among all Metris model years.
- Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris reliable?
- The 2020 Metris is rated Good, the only year to earn that verdict, with a complaint index of 38 and 7 complaints logged.
- Does the Mercedes-Benz Metris have recall issues?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 31 recall campaigns across all Metris model years, including 13 for 2016 and 14 for 2017, covering fuel hoses, brake fluid reservoirs, and rearview cameras.
- Why is the 2019 Metris rated Caution instead of Good?
- The 2019 Metris has a low complaint index of 25, but its verdict is capped at Caution because of 11 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- What is the most common problem area on the Metris?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints lead across all years, accounting for 65 of 212 total complaints, or 31%, followed by Fuel System issues at 23%.