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2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Metris Cargo, and none mention a crash, fire or injury[1]. The model year also has 10 recalls on file, so checking recall status matters more than the complaint count[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. None of them mention a crash, fire, injury or death[1].
Tires lead the list with 14 complaints, followed by wheels with 5[4][5]. Back over prevention, steering and the unknown or other group have 3 each[6][7][8]. Engine, brakes and the electrical system have 2 each[9][10][11].
- Tires. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe getting a recall notice for the tire load issue and then learning the repair part was not available. They say the wait has gone on too long. Several of those owners say they had not seen a tire failure. One describes the van lunging in turns. One says open recalls kept the van from being used on rental platforms[4].
- Wheels. The sample is mixed. One owner describes a wheel speed sensor failing again and again, with warning lights and a loss of power. Another says the van feels unsteady on the highway. Some texts repeat the tire recall wait[5].
- Back over prevention. Owners describe waiting for the camera recall part. One says the camera sits too low to see well when backing up[6].
- Steering. One owner describes the power steering shutting off in a strong crosswind. Another links repeated wheel speed sensor failures to handling and braking problems[7].
These are small samples. They show what some owners wrote, not how common a problem is.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2018 model year[2]. Newest first:
- Remedy pending
Tire load label (22V482). Date 2022-07-07[12]. The stated maximum load for the tires is wrong, so the van does not meet the federal tire and loading information rule. An overloaded van can have a tire failure and crash. Dealers are to fit corrected labels and replace wrong tires if needed, at no cost to the owner[12]. In the complaints we read, owners say the parts were not yet available, so do not assume the fix can be done today[4]. - Fuel hoses (22V134). Date 2022-03-08[13]. The upper and lower fuel hoses may not connect securely to the engine. A leak near an ignition source can cause a fire. Dealers inspect and repair the connections and replace clamps or hose as needed, at no cost[13].
- Remedy pending
Rearview camera (22V099). Date 2022-02-22[14]. A faulty memory chip can freeze the camera image, so it does not show what is behind the van live. Dealers replace the camera at no cost[14]. Some owners in the complaint sample say the part was not yet available[6]. - Brake fluid reservoir (22V066). Date 2022-02-08[15]. The reservoir may be mounted wrong and could come off, leak brake fluid and raise crash risk. Dealers inspect and repair the mounting as needed, at no cost[15].
- Emergency call software (21V055). Date 2021-02-05[16]. The software in the communication module may send the wrong location for the eCall emergency system after a crash. Responders could go to the wrong place. Dealers update the software at no cost[16].
- Backup battery cover (19V715). Date 2019-10-08[17]. The backup battery compartment under the front passenger seat may have no cover. A metal object that falls in could short the battery and cause a fire. Dealers install covers at no cost[17].
- Plant inspection (19V693). Date 2019-10-02[18]. Some vans left the plant without a final quality check of safety parts and bolts. The risk is a loose part going unnoticed. The vans are returned to the plant for inspection and any fix, at no cost[18].
- Power steering unit (19V489). Date 2019-06-25[19]. A sensor in the electric power steering unit may have been made wrong and could switch off steering assist. Dealers replace the steering unit at no cost[19].
- Plant inspection (19V222). Date 2019-03-20[20]. Same kind of missed final quality check on safety parts and bolts. Dealers complete the inspection at no cost[20].
- Driveshaft bolts (18V497). Date 2018-07-29[21]. Bolts at the automatic transmission flange may loosen. If they fall out, the driveshaft can separate and the van can lose drive. Dealers replace the flange and bolts and clean the shaft seal at no cost[21].
To check a specific van, look it up by VIN on the NHTSA recall site.
Fuel economy
EPA rates the Metris Cargo Van and the long wheelbase Cargo Van the same: 21 city, 24 highway and 22 combined MPG[3][22]. Both use a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo with an Automatic 7-spd and rear-wheel drive, and both list premium fuel[3][22]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,750 for each, based on its current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the van was new[3][22].
Engine and size
The 2.0L 4-cylinder engine is rated at 208 hp[23]. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications, so US vans can differ slightly[24].
| Measure | Cargo Van |
|---|---|
| Length | 202 in |
| Width | 76 in |
| Height | 74 in |
| Wheelbase | 126 in |
| Curb weight | 4,222 lb |
These figures are for the METRIS CARGO VAN variant[24].
How 2018 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 127 | 13 |
| 2017 | 29 | 14 |
| 2018 | 28 | 10 |
| 2019 | 9 | 12 |
| 2020 | 7 | 8 |
| 2021 | 1 | 7 |
| 2022 | 9 | 5 |
| 2023 | 2 | 4 |
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so read them loosely. Among the Metris Cargo model years on file, 2018 has 28 complaints[2]. That is fewer than 2016 with 127 and 2017 with 29, and more than 2019 with 9, 2020 with 7, 2021 with 1, 2022 with 9 and 2023 with 2[2].
For recalls, 2018 has 10[2]. Model years 2016 (13), 2017 (14) and 2019 (12) have more[2]. Model years 2020 (8), 2021 (7), 2022 (5) and 2023 (4) have fewer[2].
Should you buy a used 2018 Metris Cargo?
The complaint record is short and has no reported crashes, fires or injuries[1]. The recall list is long, with 10 on file[2]. Before buying, check the VIN for open recalls, especially the tire load label and fuel hose recalls[12][13]. Owners in the complaint sample say the tire recall repair was held up for lack of parts, so ask the seller what has been done[4]. Fuel economy is 22 MPG combined on premium fuel[3][22].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Metris Cargo?
- Tires have the most complaints at 14, then wheels at 5, out of 28 total[1][4][5]. In the sample we read, owners describe waiting on the tire recall repair[4].
- Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 10 for this model year, including tire load labels, fuel hoses, the rearview camera and the brake fluid reservoir[12][13][14][15][2].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Metris Cargo?
- EPA rates it at 21 city, 24 highway and 22 combined MPG, on premium fuel[3][22].
- How much horsepower does the 2018 Metris Cargo have?
- The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated at 208 hp[23].
- Is 2018 a better year than 2016 or 2017?
- It has fewer complaints than both and fewer recalls than both, based on NHTSA counts of 28 versus 127 and 29 complaints, and 10 versus 13 and 14 recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Metris (Cargo Van), 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 24 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 14 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 22V482, filed July 7, 2022: Tires. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V134, filed March 8, 2022: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V099, filed February 22, 2022: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V066, filed February 8, 2022: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V055, filed February 5, 2021: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V715, filed October 8, 2019: Electrical System › 12V / 24V / 48V Battery. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V693, filed October 2, 2019: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V489, filed June 25, 2019: Steering. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V222, filed March 20, 2019: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V497, filed July 29, 2018: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Metris (Cargo Van, LWB), 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 7-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 24 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 208 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, METRIS CARGO VAN: length 202 in, width 76 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,222 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov