YearToAvoid

2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris ranks worst of 9 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 126 complaints, plus 13 recalls. Fuel system issues dominate at 30% of complaints, making this the year to avoid within the Metris lineup.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 9 Metris years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
126
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
13
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2020
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
20.5 city / 23.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System38 (30%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (17%)
  3. Visibility & Wipers22 (17%)
  4. Engine19 (15%)
  5. Other15 (12%)
  6. Electrical System10 (8%)
  7. Steering9 (7%)
  8. Brakes4 (3%)
  9. Airbags3 (2%)
  10. Seat Belts3 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report a gasoline smell inside the cabin during cold idling and after short drives, sometimes strong enough to require pulling over and rolling down windows.
  • A fuel line reported as a "porous gas line" leaked fuel, with one owner noting multiple company vehicles affected by the same problem.
  • Passenger side mirrors were described as too small and non-convex, creating a severe blind spot that led to near collisions while changing lanes.
  • One owner reported the integrated battery caught fire and melted down after the vehicle had been parked for a couple hours, leaving all electronics dead.
  • The cruise control stem lacked a distinct on/off switch, and toggling it caused the van to accelerate or decelerate abruptly without warning.
2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris complaints: complaints filed per quarter102016 Q22017 Q32018 Q42020 Q22022 Q12023 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
126 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2018 Q4 (10).

2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris recalls

13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V482000Jul 7, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires24,359 vehicles

    Tires

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 22V099000Feb 22, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras17,093 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 22V066000Feb 8, 2022Brakes28,743 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:fluid

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 13 recalls for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris →

2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20.5 MPG
Highway
23.5 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Metris years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201520162017201820192020202120222023
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015No verdict013—
2016Avoid1001261322
2017Avoid75291422
2018Caution63281022

All Mercedes-Benz Metris years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Metris is the worst-ranked year among 9 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 126 complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Metris years.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Metris?
Fuel system complaints lead at 38 complaints (30% share), followed by suspension/wheels/tires and visibility/wipers issues, each with 22 complaints (17% share).
Does the 2016 Metris have a fuel system recall?
Yes. Recall 18V837000 covers 2016-2017 Metris vans for a fuel hose that may leak at the lower connecting point of the transition hose in the engine compartment.
How many recalls affect the 2016 Metris?
NHTSA lists 13 recalls tied to the 2016 Metris, covering areas including suspension, brakes, electrical system, steering, fuel system, and transmission support.
How does the 2016 Metris compare to other years?
The 2016 model has the highest complaint index (100) of any Metris year; by comparison 2019 and 2020 scored 38 and 25 and carry a Good verdict.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.